Caring Kindergartens

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 31/07/2003 Inspector Name Felicity Norton

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Caring Kindergartens Setting Address 48 Hardwick Road Wellingborough Northamptonshire NN8 5AD

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Caring Kindergartens Ltd. Address The Poplars High Street, Pitsford Northampton Northamptonshire NN6 9AD

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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

Caring Kindergartens Day Nursery opened in 2000. It operates from Dybdale House, Wellingborough. There is a car parking area to the front of the property and a secured outdoor area for play in the back garden. The younger children occupy the ground floor area. This area is self-contained with bathrooms, nappy changing areas; sleeping rooms, and play areas for individual age groups. The kitchen, dining area and nursery office are also situated on the ground floor. The pre-school children are situated in the rooms on the first floor, although they may use other playrooms on the ground floor. There are currently 68 children on roll. This includes 11 funded three year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 08:00-18:00, 08:00-12:00 or 13:30-17:30 with the option of staying for lunch. Two part time staff and 13 full time staff work with the children. All of the staff have

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Information about the setting

or are working towards recognised early years qualifications. The setting receives support from a teacher and uses the Oxford Reading Tree Scheme.

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How good is the Day Care?

Caring Kindergartens provides good care for children. A number of comprehensive policies and procedures, individual to the setting, are made freely available to parents and most staff understand and apply them consistently. The overall organisation of the setting is effective however movement is restricted between the age groups. Resources are used imaginatively to create a stimulating, orderly and supportive environment for the children, however space requirements are not always met for older children. The children are interested in their environment and keen to do and find things for themselves. They are confident, independent and use their initiative. The children are settled and have a positive relationship with staff and are keen to communicate with others. The staff have a high level of awareness of all risks to children's health and safety, with one minor exception and positive steps are taken to ensure the physical

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How good is the Day Care?

environment, is safe and secure. Child protection procedures are fully understood by all staff and ensure that children are kept safe and free from harm

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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 The staff recognise children as individuals and meets their differing needs well enabling them to make good progress in all aspects of their development. Children are challenged in what they know and encouraged to learn more. A broad range of resources is available to children and practical activities are planned and provided. All activities are presented in an interesting and thoughtful way and develop children's knowledge and understanding. Most staff are able to manage the children effectively. The children relate well to each other and understand the consequences of unacceptable behaviour on others. Trusting and friendly relationships are established with parents, although they are not always fully aware of which member of staff to speak to about their child. The staff provide parents with a good range of information about their policies and

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What is being done well?

• Children within their learning groups are encouraged to be confident, independent and develop their self-esteem through staff interacting positively with them and valuing what they say. • Particular attention has been paid to making the premises welcoming and friendly to children and parents. There are notice boards in the entrance hall for parents, photos of the children are displayed within their areas and their work is displayed throughout the setting. • There is a good range of toys, equipment and play materials for all of the children, which are made freely accessible to children through the use of open plan shelving units. • There are comprehensive policies for all safety issues. Staff ensure that the premises are clean and well maintained and children are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine.

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What needs to be improved?

• the organisation of groups to encourage movement and interaction between the ages and ensure that minimum space requirements are adhered to; • the allocation of each child to a member of staff within their key group who is her/his key person to ensure that information about the child is exchanged with the parent; • the outside area ensuring that hazardous plants are made inaccessible to children; • the procedures for ensuring that all staff understand and follow the written statement on behaviour management.

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What needs to be improved?

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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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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Ensure that children belong to a key group which has consistent staff and that every child is allocated to a member of staff within their key group who is his/her key person and is mainly responsible for his/her well being on a daily basis and ensures that information about the child is exchanged with the parent. 2 Encourage movement of children and staff between groups in the course of the day within the organisation of the provision providing a richer experience for children. 4 Ensure that minimum space requirements are met at all times. 11 Ensure that all staff are aware of the behaviour management policy and apply it consistently.

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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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