Claverham Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 22/09/2003 Inspector Name Stacey Sangster

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Claverham Day Nursery Setting Address Claverham Community College North Trade Road Battle East Sussex TN33 0HT

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name The Governing Body Address North Trade Road Battle East Sussex TN33 0HT

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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 in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

Claverham Day Nursery is situated in the grounds of Claverham Community College, Battle, and has been in operation for approximately 10 years. The nursery occupies what used to be a house on site, which has been substantially extended to provide adequate space for the number of children attending. There is a secure outdoor play area consisting of some hard surface space and some lawn. A covered area has been recently erected. The nursery has an appropriately qualified manager and deputy and the current staff team all have suitable child care qualifications or are in training.

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How good is the Day Care?

Claverham Day Nursery provides good quality care. The staff team are highly qualified and many have worked at the setting for a number of years. Children are grouped appropriately. Good use is made of the premises to ensure that children can experience a variety of areas during their day. This promotes a smooth transition as children move up to the next group in the nursery. Equipment is of good quality, well maintained and made accessible to the children. Most documentation is clear and appropriately maintained, although the record of attendance requires more detail. Safety is given high priority and health and hygiene matters are dealt with effectively. Children's individual dietary needs are very well met. All children are cared for on an equal basis, giving regard to their individual needs, and parental wishes. Children are very well cared for. Staff are supportive and form close relationships with the children. They often work closely on a 1:1 basis, but need to ensure this

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How good is the Day Care?

does not detract from the care offered to children when they are grouped for activities, particularly in the family room. Children's behaviour is managed well, good manners and developing a caring attitude is actively promoted.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Parents are kept well informed about their child's progress and routines, although this is reduced as the children get older. Parents are happy with the care that their children receive and comments received were positive.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The setting were asked to develop a lost child policy, detailing what action would be taken were a child to go missing during the course of a day. This has now been drawn up and staff are familiar with its content.

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What is being done well?

• The use of the premises provides maximum benefit to the children. Children use, visit, walk through and meet together in most rooms within the building. Children are familiar with all members of staff and the rooms that they work in. This supports the transition from group to group as children progress through the nursery. • The high regard given to safety in the setting. Staff are vigilant, safety conscious and familiar with the policies. Policies are clear and detailed and regular risk assessments are carried out. A number of safety precautions are in place to minimise risks to children. Children are encouraged to foresee potential dangers and learn how to keep themselves safe. • The provision of warm, caring and nurturing child care. Staff form affectionate bonds with the children in their key groups. They develop a good understanding of the individual needs of each child in their charge. Staff use

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What is being done well?

their knowledge of each child to motivate and encourage them effectively.

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What needs to be improved?

• The detail contained within the attendance register.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 14 Ensure that the record of children’s attendance includes the time of arrival, to enable evidence to be provided that the correct ratios are being met.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

The quality of the nursery education offered by Claverham Day Nursery is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children make generally good progress toward the early learning goals. They show interest in learning and readily take part in the activities devised to support their development. All children are growing in confidence in each area of the curriculum. The quality of teaching is generally good. Children have access to a variety of resources selected by the staff. Increased self selection would benefit the children and further encourage their independance. Staff are skilled at devising activities that help children make progress in all areas of the curriculum. They have an understanding of the foundation stage. Plans are linked appropriately to the stepping stones. The programme is well balanced and varied, although not all children are sufficiently engaged during some group actvities. The assessment of children's

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How effective is the nursery education?

progress is satisfactory, but could be improved by greater links to the stepping stones. The setting is generally well lead and managed. Staff feel supported, valued and have opportunities to undertake training on a regular basis. Staff are not always made aware of the full range of external Early Years teaching support that is available to them, and as a result have not accessed guidance that would have been of benefit. Regular staff meetings are held and all staff are invited to contribute. The recruitment and induction procedure is thorough and well thought out. The setting works generally well in partnership with parents. Parents are provided with a range of information to keep them informed of their child's progress. Insufficient opportunities are currently in place for parents to formally share information that would contribute to their child's development profile. Parents commented positively about the care that their children receive.

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What is being done well?

• the fostering of positive relationships within the nursery. Children are caring towards each other, and are building positive relationships with new friends as well as staff; • the provision of opportunities for letter recognition, handwriting practice and developing children's communication skills; • the provision of routine counting activities and number recognition opportunities.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • encouraging children's independence • the nursery routine routine; with regard to gaps between actvities and group work. • the link between the assessment and the stepping stones.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery have made good progress in addressing the issues raised at the last inspection. The setting have borrowed magnifying glasses, mirrors and other science equipment from the college, to improve children's opportunities for investigation and support their learning in the area of knowledge and understanding of the world.

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What has improved since the last 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are generally well motivated to learn and show interest in the activities. Positive relationships develop between staff and children. The children are caring toward each other, they take turns and work well in groups. Independent personal care is promoted but staff over direct some activities. Routines give insufficient opportunities for children to use their initiative or influence the play environment.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Most children are confident speakers. They negotiate well and use speech to organise and explore real and imagined experiences. They show an interest in books and know that they contain information as well as stories. Children engage in purposeful activities promoting letter recognition, pencil control and linking sounds to letters. They practice forming letters correctly in formal staff led activities. Opportunities to practice writing in imaginative and free play need to be extended.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children count confidently, they receive regular opportunities to count during the session and numbers are displayed. Staff encourage children to use mathematical language as part of the daily routine. Staff provide opportunities for children to practice naming shapes and numbers. Children show developing understanding of shape and pattern. There are insufficient activities provided for children to develop an understanding of calculating.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children are encouraged to learn and talk about their environment and events in their own lives. They are developing an awareness of their own and other cultures, as they celebrate a variety of festivals. Staff provide good opportunities for children to look closely at differences, pattern and change for example when looking at the butterfly life cycle. Topics allow children to explore aspects of the natural and man-made world. Over direction reduces children's design and making development

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children showed good co-ordination skills and an awareness of themselves and others. There are regular opportunities to use large equipment and staff ensure that the children move around freely and safely. Opportunities for children to develop their small manipulative skills take place as part of the daily sessions. Children are learning to handle tools such as pencils, brushes and scissors with increasing skill. They show an awareness of the importance of personal hygiene and healthy eating.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children enjoyed using the imaginative play area during free play and eagerly engage in role play activities. Children are given regular opportunities to explore the media and materials. The routine regularly includes play with water sand and collage activities. Staff need to direct children less in structured activities and encourage them to make their own choices. Children would benefit from more interaction and support during free play.

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• Ensure that children are given every opportunity to develop their independence. Include children in the choosing of activities and discuss what is needed and why. • Ensure that during group work, all children are sufficiently challenged throughout the activity. • Ensure that the assessment of children's progress is used to inform and guide the planning. Consider linking the assesments to the stepping stones.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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