Chester Hopscotch

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 20/01/2004 Inspector Name Susan Patricia Birkenhead

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name Treetops at Hopscotch Private Day Nursery Setting Address Parkgate Road Chester CH1 4BE

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Dunmar (Nurseries) Ltd Address 69 Ashbourne Road Derby Derbyshire DE22 3FS

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THE INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality and standard of day care. When making judgements, inspectors have regard to how well the provider meets the National Standards for under Eights Day Care and Childminding. A list of these is attached. The report identifies strengths and areas for improvement. This inspection report must be made available to all parents.

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Information about the setting

Hopscotch Day Nursery is owned by Dunmar Nurseries Limited, trading under the name of Tree Tops. The company currently have 14 registered Day Care facilities throughout the country. The Nursery has been registered under the current ownership since 2001 and operates from a large, converted detached property on the outskirts of Chester City. A request to increase the registered number of children has been agreed, following the completed extension to the building. The Nursery is now registered to accommodate a maximum of 64 children under the age of five years, of whom 36 may be under the age of two years and of these no more than 15 may be under the age of one year. In addition the Nursery provides care for a maximum of 20 children of school age in the Big Hoppers Club. No overnight care is available. Times of operation for the nursery children are 08:00 to 18:00 and the children attend the Big Hoppers Club from 08:00 to 08:45 plus 15:30 to 18:30 term

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Information about the setting

time and 08:00 to 18:30 during school holidays, Monday to Friday throughout the year. There are currently 175 children on roll and of these there are 18 three year olds and 6 four year olds in receipt of funding. A Manager is employed at Hopscotch Day Nursery, who has day to responsibility for the management of staff and children. She holds an NNEB certificate and has completed her assessors training. Two deputy Managers are also employed, one part time who is currently on Maternity leave and one who is full time. Both deputies hold NNEB qualifications and First aid. In addition there are 11 staff employed of whom one is the Cook and of the remaining staff, 7 hold relevant qualifications in Child Care and one is Teacher trained. Nursery children are cared for in age related groups on the ground floor and have access to an imaginative, outdoor play area. The school age children have access to designated areas on the first floor and a

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Information about the setting

secured roof top patio for outdoor play.

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How good is the Day Care?

Hopscotch Day Nursery and Big Hoppers out of school club provide good quality care for children. Of the 14 staff employed 10 hold relevant qualifications in child care, education and one is in the process of training . Eight staff have completed a first aid course. Management are supportive of the staff attending additional training and further training is planned for the future, to benefit the children's care. Staff are deployed well and key worker systems are in place. A welcoming environment is made available to all parents and children. Good use is made of the space available, taking into account the varying ages and stages of development of the children

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How good is the Day Care?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 attending.A wide range of stimulating play materials and opportunities are made available to the children of all ages.All records were made available for inspection and only minor attention is necessary to the staff register and the incident record. Staff make children aware of hazards and a range of equipment to meet the needs of the children are in place to ensure children's safety. Hygienic practices are promoted making the children more aware of personal hygiene. Minor attention is required regarding the allocation of bedding to children sleeping. Snack times and meal times are very social times.Healthy eating is promoted and meals/snacks are freshly prepared on site. Activity planning throughout the Nursery and out of school club is good. Staff use their imagination and encourage the children to have fun whilst encouraging their

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How good is the Day Care?

learning. Staff actively promote equality of opportunity through the wide range of resources and activities provided. Staff /child interaction is very positive, resulting in the children being valued, confident, secure and well behaved. Positive relationships are developed with parents and good procedures are in place for including them in their Childs day, keeping them informed their developmental progress and involving them in events arranged throughout the year.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Not applicable as no actions were raised during the last inspection.

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What is being done well?

• The level of qualified staff employed which exceeds the required 50%. • The commitment from management and staff regarding attendance on additional training courses. This is confirmed by the additional courses attended and those booked for the coming months. • The use of the space available and the deployment of staff to ensure the needs of all the children are met. The premises have been extended to provide additional space for the babies a designated area for the children attending the out of school club and the pre-school no longer share their facilities. • The warm, welcoming environment which is made available to children of all ages. Children are cared for in their own designated areas, relating to their ages and stages of development. A good level of children's art work is attractively displayed and reflects their self expression. Photographs reflect previous activity work and a good level of information is displayed for parents.

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What is being done well?

• Record keeping, which ensures practices and procedures are followed to meet the needs of the children, which are shared with parents. • Meal times are well organised and provides opportunities for the staff and the children to come together and engage in discussion, in smaller groups providing a very social time.Parents wishes and children's needs are respected.

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What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 • The level of activity planning in place throughout the two care facilities. Staff approach these with flexibility in accordance with the individual needs of the children cared for. Staff interact positively with the children in appropriate ways and guide and support them in their learning according to their needs. • Working in partnership with parents is very positive aspect of the Nursery and out of school club life. A wide range of information is provided for parents regarding activities, events organised, the children's well being daily for the younger age groups, children's developmental progress and the policies and procedures in place.

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What needs to be improved?

• The safety of the portable, electrical appliances. These were due for re testing in February 2003 and to date has not yet been completed. Arrangements have been made to address this and the Electrician has not attended for the appointment made. • Hygienic procedures for allocating bedding to children at sleep times in the nursery. The bottom sheet allocated to children is washed daily, however the top cover is washed weekly and not allocated individually to the children. This practice is said to be changed since the nursery now has their own laundry facilities on site. • The records, to ensure the staff attendance reflects where the staff are deployed and that they are retained for the maximum period recommended. At present staff complete the signing in and out sheet available, which does not reflect where the staff are deployed. These sheets are said to be destroyed. There is some confusion about the use of the incident record and

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What needs to be improved?

its purpose, therefore this needs to be used to ensure the procedures under standard 11 of the National Standards are met and any entries are acknowledged by parents.

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

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WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NEXT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 6 Ensure the portable electric appliances conform to safety requirements. 7 Ensure hygienic procedures are in place when providing bedding to sleeping children. 11 Ensure incident records are in place which involve any necessary staff physical intervention. 14 Ensure the daily records for staff attendance reflect where the staff are deployed and that they are retained for the minimum period required.

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by the time of the next inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

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STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

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STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

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STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

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STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

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STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

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STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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