Castle nurseries at Montagu

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 31/08/2004 Inspector Name Kathleen Snowdon

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Montagu Community Nursery Setting Address Houghton Avenue Cowgate Newcastle upon Tyne NE5 3UT

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Newcastle Upon Tyne LEA Address Newcastle City Council PO Box 690 Newcastle upon Tyne Tyne and Wear NE99 2BN

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Montagu Community Nursery was registered in April 2004, and accommodates a maximum of 26 children aged from birth to under five years. There are currently nine children on the register. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, from 08.00 to 18.00 hours, 51 weeks of the year. It shares the site with other organisations, including a nursery school, though the community nursery is self-contained. There are two main play rooms, with separate kitchen, laundry and office facilities. It is situated in the west of Newcastle upon Tyne and serves families from the local and surrounding communities. There are four members of staff who work directly with the children at all times. The manager and the deputy are supernumerary, and there are additional staff who provide domestic skills support. All staff hold appropriate qualifications.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Montagu Community Nursery provides a warm, welcoming environment in which children receive a good standard of care. The staff are experienced, skilled, well qualified and keep abreast of current trends in childcare by attending regular, relevant training. They form very good relationships with the children, whose needs and differences are valued. They manage behaviour by using sensitive and appropriate methods, and help them to understand right from wrong by setting fair and sensible boundaries. The nursery rooms have well-defined play areas containing an excellent selection of equipment to which the children have easy access. Well-planned and stimulating activities help them to make progress in all areas of their development, while the well-balanced daily routine helps children to develop a sense of time. Developing the outdoor play areas would further improve play potential. Children are developing competent social skills and good manners,

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

evident at lunch time for example, when they sit together to enjoy healthy and nutritious meals which are cooked on site. The staff have formed a very good partnership with parents, who have positive views of the provision and the staff, whom they feel are approachable and friendly. Effective procedures, such as a daily diary system, ensure that parents remain fully informed about their child's time in nursery, and invite them to contribute information that they feel is important for the staff to know.

p.2

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 take a highly conscientious approach to health and safety, which ensures that the children remain safe and secure during their time at the nursery. Staff are well informed about procedures to follow in the event of an emergency and are vigilant about keeping significant records, such as accidents and daily attendance. This typifies the standard of record keeping in general, which is very well-organised and contributes to the safe and efficient running of the group on a day-to-day basis.

p.2

What is being done well?

• The very good relationships that staff form with the children. They use appropriate methods to manage children's behaviour and act as good role models, encouraging the children to develop good manners and consideration for others. • The interesting range of well-planned activities in which the children take part, and the very good selection of equipment they can play with, which provides them with sufficient challenge and helps them to make progress in all areas of their development. • The effective partnership with parents, which helps to ensure that the needs of the children are fully met. • Very well-organised records, which are stored securely and are updated regularly.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the outdoor play areas, to develop the provision's play potential.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 4 Continue to develop plans for the outdoor play area.

p.4

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

p.4

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

p.5

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6