Bilston Community College

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 13/05/2004 Inspector Name Jane Mount

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Out of School Day Care, Creche Day Care Setting Name Charters Nursery Setting Address YMCA Woodlands Centre Off College Road Abbots Langley Hertfordshire WD5 0GN

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Watford and District YMCA 250113

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Watford and District YMCA Address YMCA Woodlands Centre Off College Road Abbots Langley Hertfordshire WD5 0GN

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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

Charters Day Nursery opened in September 1998. It operates from the Woodlands Centre, Abbots Langley and is a purpose built self contained building and is part of the Watford and District YMCA who also provide a crèche and out of school care. Children that attend come from Abbots Langley and the surrounding area. There are currently 77 children from 3 months to 5 years on roll. This includes 17 funded 3 year olds and 9 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. There are currently no children with special needs attending and 3 children who speak English as an additional language attend. The group opens 5 days a week all year round excluding bank holidays, a week at Christmas and two days per year for staff training. Sessions are from 07:30 until 18:30. There are 21 members of staff who work with the children including the manager and deputy and 17 staff hold early years qualifications. The setting receives support

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How good is the Day Care?

Charters Day Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. There is an effective keyworker system which enables staff to establish good relationships with children and parents. The individual needs of the children are met with a familiar routine and structure. The children's care, learning and play are supported well by staff who monitor the children's progress through regular observations, planning and evaluation. Information is shared with parents on a daily basis and parents are kept well informed of their child's progress. The environment is welcoming to parents and children and staff make good use of the garden areas and the surrounding parkland. The toys, equipment and play materials available generally promote children's learning. Documentation is comprehensive and there are clear procedures in place to ensure staff have a consistent approach to their work through staff induction, appraisals and regular staff

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How good is the Day Care?

meetings. Training is prioritised with all staff keen to update and increase their knowledge of childcare issues. Areas for promoting health and safety are satisfactory overall. The staff have a good

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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 understanding of the children's dietary needs and mealtimes are organised with staff sitting with children. Special dietary needs are sensitively catered for and information is recorded and shared with all staff. Good behaviour is valued and encouraged and any inappropriate behaviour is dealt with in a sensitive and consistent manner.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the nursery agreed to revise their complaints procedure to include the address and telephone number of the regulator. Ofsted contact details are now included in the complaints procedure and they are also available on the nursery noticeboard. The nursery also agreed to provide storage facilities in the pre-school room and demonstrate how the floor space in the pre-school can be used more effectively. Pre-school toys, equipment and resources are now stored in permanent storage facilities within the pre-school bathroom area and this has therefore increased the available floor space within the pre-school room. It was also agreed that the nursery would review storage arrangements for domestic cleaning equipment within the children's toilet areas. A store cupboard has been made available for all cleaning materials and generally this is working well.

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What is being done well?

• All staff carry out their roles and responsibilities well and know what is expected of them. They are keen to develop their skills and update their knowledge through regular training. • A keyworker system is used providing consistency of care for children and parents. Staff ensure sufficient time is taken to talk and play with the children and through the effective planning of activities the staff are able to monitor the children's progress. • Staff work in close partnership with parents and are kept informed and involved in their children's care, learning and play. Parent questionnaires reflect this with positive comments relating to the caring and informative staff, the regular use of the outside environment including gardening and walks and the enthusiasm and dedication of the staff. • There are comprehensive records, policies and procedures in place which are required for the efficient and safe management of the setting and these

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What needs to be improved?

• the organisation of sufficient and accessible resources and play materials. • the procedures for ensuring hazards are minimised both inside and out.

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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 • the procedures for monitoring room temperatures in sleep areas.

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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 5 Ensure there are sufficient, suitable toys and play materials, which are accessible to children, available in all areas to provide stimulating and interesting play opportunities. 6 Ensure reasonable steps are taken to minimise hazards to children both inside and outside. (This refers to slug pellets, greenfly spray, bleach and socket covers.) 6 Ensure baby sleep room is maintained at an appropriate temperature through monitoring.

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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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