Puddleducks Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 13/05/2003 Inspector Name Jill Hunn

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Puddleducks Setting Address 30a High Street Croughton Brackley Northamptonshire NN13 5LT

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Puddleducks Address 30 A High Street Croughton Northampton NN13 5LT

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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

Puddleducks day nursery has been registered since September 2002. It is registered to provide full day care for 34 children under five years of age; of these, 12 may be under two years of age, at any one time. Overnight care is not included. The hours of opening are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each week day except for bank holidays and a week at Christmas. The nursery is owned by Ms Lesley Grant and there is a manager. There are 13 childcare staff of whom eight are qualified. There are 43 children on roll; of these, nine children aged three years old and three children aged four years old are funded. There are no children with special educational needs or children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery is situated in a single storey building in the centre of the village of Croughton, in the extreme south of Northamptonshire. It serves the local community and the surrounding villages in Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire.

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Information about the setting

The premises consist of an entrance area and cloakroom, toilets and nappy changing facilities, office and staff room, kitchen, baby activity room and baby sleep room, and main room which is divided into areas for pre school children and toddlers. There is an enclosed area for outdoor activities and the children are also taken on walks and outings in the village. The nursery is a member of the Pre School Learning Alliance and receives support from a teacher from the Northamptonshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Puddleducks day nursery provides satisfactory care for children. The premises are safe and secure and have been imaginatively decorated to create a warm and welcoming environment. The space within the nursery has been organised well to meet the needs of the varying age groups. Staff are aware of potential safety hazards and are able to take steps to prevent dangerous situations. There are clear procedures in place and staff act in children's best interests when they become unwell during a session. Some other policies and procedures require further attention. A wide variety of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks is

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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 provided which includes foods from other countries and cultures. A broad range of interesting activities is provided throughout the nursery and include varied opportunities for children to learn about other cultures and beliefs. All children take part in regular outdoor activities. Some development is needed to ensure that observations and assessments of funded children are used to plan the next stage in their learning and development. Specialist staff are being trained to extend their knowledge of the Code of Practice for children with special educational needs. Staff consistently praise and encourage children and take account of opportunities that arise to extend their learning. As a result children are involved and interested in their activities. Children respond to the clear boundaries and guidelines set by staff

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How good is the Day Care?

and have good manners. Pre-school children are helped to understand the effect of their actions on others. There are good relationships with parents and staff work together with them to resolve issues. Daily information sheets are used throughout the nursery to inform parents about the care of their children. Parents report positively about the quality of care of their children at the nursery. Some areas of documentation require further detail.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This is the first inspection since registration.

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What is being done well?

• There is a well documented staff appraisal system which includes self assessment, and ensures that any training needs are identified (Standard 2). • Staff in the baby room have a good understanding of the needs of very young children. Particular attention is given to meeting the children's individual needs for eating and sleeping and information about their care is exchanged with parents on a daily basis. Staff plan activities well to give babies and very young children varied experiences and activities using a range of materials (Standard 3 and Annex A). • The premises are secure and there are effective systems in place to manage access and keep children and staff safe (Standard 6). • Staff throughout the nursery use appropriate strategies to manage children's behaviour and are consistent in their approach. They give children clear guidance and praise. Older children talk confidently about what they are

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What is being done well?

doing and assist in tasks to develop their skills and encourage responsibility (Standard 11).

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What needs to be improved?

• documentation, by recording the times of arrival and departure of children

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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 staff, and by obtaining written parental consent for the administration of all medication (Standards 2 and 7); • the use of observations and assessment to inform the planning of activities for funded children, and the knowledge of specialist staff in relation to the Code of Practice for the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs (Standards 3 and 10); • written policies for outings, equal opportunities, special needs and child protection (Standards 6, 9, 10 and 13); • the use of written risk assessment to monitor the level of safety in the premises (Standard 6).

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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 7 make sure parent’s consent is recorded for any medicinal product administered to any child on the premises (Standard 7) 15/05/2003

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

13 develop the child protection statement to include the procedures to be followed in the event of allegations of abuse or neglect (Standard 13) 31/05/2003

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

14 keep a daily record of the hours of attendance of all children and the names of the persons who looked after them (Standard 14) 15/05/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 3 develop the use of observations under the Foundation Stage to plan the next steps for funded children’s play, learning and development(Standard

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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 3) 6 conduct a risk assessment on the premises identifying action(s) to be taken to minimise identified risks (Standard 6) 6 make sure there are operational procedures for the safe conduct of any outings provided (Standard 6) 7 improve practices to prevent the spread of infection (Standard 7) 9 devise an equal opportunities policy that is consistent with current legislation and guidance. Ensure that this is understood and implemented by all staff and shared with parents (Standard 9) 10 devise and make available to parents, a written statement on special needs which is consistent with current legislation and guidance. Ensure that this is understood and implemented by all staff (Standard 10) 10 make sure specialist staff have regard to the Code of Practice for the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs (Standard

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by the time of the next inspection

10) 11 develop the written statement on behaviour management to include bullying (Standard 11)

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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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