The Meadows Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 27/01/2005 Inspector Name Fler Wright

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name The Meadows Nursery School Setting Address 9 Brand Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN22 9PX

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Ronald Cossey and Valerie Cossey Address 9 Brand Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN22 9PX

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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

The Meadows Nursery School is one of four nurseries privately owned by individuals. It first opened in 1993 and operates from the ground floor of a detached house in a residential area of Eastbourne, East Sussex. A maximum of 36 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08:30 to 16:30, 48 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 93 children aged from 2 to under 5 years on roll. Of these, 61 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchment area. The nursery currently supports a number of children with special educational needs, and also supports 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. Two members of staff are working towards a

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How good is the Day Care?

The Meadows Nursery School provides good quality care for children. Effective use is made of the staff, space and resources to ensure children are well cared for. There is a wide variety of age appropriate equipment available that includes a good range to promote equality. All of the required documentation is in place and the management have implemented a range of policies and procedures to ensure staff have a consistent approach to their work. Staff have a reasonable awareness of safety issues, and the majority of the appropriate precautions are in place. There are good procedures to protect children at arrival and departure times. The group accommodate children with special dietary needs and have a good knowledge and understanding of their requirements. Drinks are available throughout day, and there are healthy snacks available, but the range is limited. Staff actively promote health and hygiene in the setting, however they

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How good is the Day Care?

have a limited awareness of infectious notifiable diseases. Staff have a good understanding of special needs, and incorporate children's individual requirements on a daily basis. They have a basic awareness of child protection procedures. Staff interact well with children, they are interested in what they do and say and ask

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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 a variety of open ended questions to encourage learning. Children have access to a wide range of stimulating activities and play opportunities, all of which help to encourage their learning and development. Children are given the freedom to make decisions, relate to others and explore the activities on offer within designated areas, at their own pace. Children are well behaved, and staff offer them regular praise and encouragement, to help develop confidence and self esteem. The nursery have established a good relationship with parents and carers. They encourage a friendly and communicative partnership by keeping parents well informed of their child's progress. Parents are happy with the care provided.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the nursery were asked to; write a lost or uncollected child policy, a special needs policy and an administration of medication policy; ensure an accurate record of attendance is kept, implement a written risk assessment, ensure sufficient staff work directly with children and ratios are maintained, ensure the outside play area and trip hazards are made safe, and finally, to ensure radiators are suitably protected and the temperature monitored. All of the required policies and procedures have either been updated or written, and all have been implemented at the setting. There are sufficient staff working directly with children and ratios are maintained, and the outside play area and trip hazards have been made safe so they no longer pose a risk to children. The radiators still pose some hazard to children, as the temperature is not monitored, consequently, at times they become very hot.

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What is being done well?

• Staff interact well with children, they offer regular praise and encouragement and ask open ended questions to encourage children to think and promote learning. • The staff and environment are well organised to meet children's needs. Children have access to a warm and welcoming area with low level displays of their work, and stimulating topic tables and that are easily accessible for children to explore. There is suitable provision for children to play, relax and learn in a comfortable environment. • There is a wide range of good quality, age appropriate equipment available for children to encourage all areas of learning. It is labelled and stored at child height to ensure children are able to select resources freely encouraging their independence. • The group have established a good, communicative relationship with parents and carers, who are happy with the care provided. Staff encourage a daily exchange of information about what the children have been doing, and there

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What is being done well?

are informative notice boards on display to ensure parents are kept up to date with the current activities, staff members and key workers.

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What is being done well?

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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What needs to be improved?

• some aspects of safety, • knowledge and understanding of infectious diseases, • the range of healthy snacks available to children.

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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 6 Ensure radiators are maintained at the appropriate temperature and hot drinks do not pose a hazard to children. 7 Ensure staff increase their awareness of infectious notifiable diseases, and share their knowledge with parents. 8 Extend the range of healthy and nutritious snacks available to children.

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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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