Laindon Neighbourhood Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/01/2005 Inspector Name Anne Daly

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Laindon Neighbourhood Nursery Setting Address The James Hornby High School Leinster Road, Laindon Basildon Essex SS15 5NX

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Pre-School Learning Alliance 4539003 1096526

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Pre-School Learning Alliance Address Eastern Regional Centre Century House, 4 Market Street, Swavesey Cambridgeshire CB4 5QG

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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

Laindon Neighbourhood Nursery is one of 30 nurseries run by the Pre-school Learning Alliance. It opened in 2004 and operates from two rooms in a purpose built building situated within the grounds of The James Hornby High School, Basildon, Essex. A maximum of 50 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08:00 until 18:00 for 51 weeks a year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 39 children aged from birth to under 5 years on roll. Of these, 8 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from the local catchment area. The nursery currently supports a number of children with special needs and also a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs nine staff. Seven of the staff, including the Manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications. One staff member is working towards a

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Information about the setting

qualification. The setting receives support from the Early Years Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Laindon Neighbourhood Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. Staff welcome children and parents to a safe and reassuring environment. The recently appointed staff have a clear understanding of their new roles and responsibilities. There is an operational plan, although some procedures have still to be implemented. The clean and bright premises create a friendly, child orientated environment. Children are interested in playing with all available provision, although there is a limited range of toys to provide a balanced range in all areas of learning. The nursery maintains records, policies and procedures, although Ofsted has not been informed of all staff changes. Staff have a good awareness of children's safety and follow careful procedures to ensure a safe environment. Staff sensitively promote good hygiene procedures, although nappy changing facilities are not consistent throughout the nursery. Staff

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How good is the Day Care?

provide meals and healthy snacks in accordance with all children's allergies or special diets. The staff have a good awareness of their responsibilities to protect children and of their role if they have concerns.

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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 Staff support the children with good levels of interaction and by praising and encouraging them whilst they play. The children can confidently choose their toys and initiate their own play. The staff plan worthwhile activities and observe what the children do, although these observations are not used to plan for the children's next steps. Children are valued and acknowledged as individuals by staff treating them with equal concern. Children's behaviour is valued and managed very well. Parents are well informed through notice boards, information booklets, newsletters and informal contacts with staff. Good use is made of the home contact book to share information about their child's day.

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What is being done well?

• Children develop confidence and self esteem as they enjoy sessions. They have a basic structure with routines, but within this, have a great deal of free choice. Staff are always on hand to help when needed. By making decisions, the children are largely self-directed, enhancing their own learning. • The safety of children is paramount, with an excellent security system preventing unwanted visitors as well as ensuring that children remain safe while on the premises. • Staff sit with children at snack times to encourage their independence by allowing them to pour their own drinks and to choose their snacks, before washing their own plate and beaker. • Staff have developed effective strategies for behaviour management, providing calm role models and giving plenty of praise and encouragement to the children. • Children benefit from a trusting and mutually supportive partnership between their parents and staff. They are sensitively settled into the group with the

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What is being done well?

involvement of their parents. Parents and staff build good working relationships to provide a co-ordinated approach to the care of their children.

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What needs to be improved?

• notification to Ofsted of staff changes • planning for children's next learning steps • toys and equipment • nappy changing arrangements.

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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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 1 Notify Ofsted at the earliest opportunity of any staff changes. 14/02/2005

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 3 Develop skills in relation to observing and recording what children do to enable staff to plan for the next steps of their play and learning. 4 Review the nappy changing arrangements and facilities to ensure the maintenance of good hygiene practices. 5 Ensure that sufficient suitable toys, play materials and books are available to provide stimulating activities and play opportunities for all children in all areas of play, learning and development.

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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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