Busy Bees Day Nursery at Stevenage Great Ashby

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 30/11/2004 Inspector Name Diane Mary O'Neill

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Just Learning Nursery Setting Address White Horse Lane Great Ashby Way Stevenage Herts SG1 6NH

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Just Learning Ltd Address 45 High Street West Malling Kent ME19 6QH

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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

Just Learning Day Nursery, Stevenage opened in September 2002 and operates from 10 rooms in a purpose built building in the Great Ashby area of Stevenage. A maximum of 112 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 7.30 am to 6.00 pm for 52 weeks a years accept bank holidays. All the children have access to a secure enclosed outside play area. There are currently 126 children aged from 0 years to under 5 years on roll. Of these 16 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from, the Great Ashby, catchments area. The nursery currently supports no children with special educational needs, or who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 27 staff, 23 of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. Some staff members are working towards a qualification. The nursery has input from a qualified teacher as well as support from their area

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How good is the Day Care?

Just Learning Nursery provides good care for children. The nursery provides a very welcoming environment for all children and their parents. There are clear routines in place throughout the nursery and staff's interaction with the children is excellent. This enables children to settle very well into the nursery routines.

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How good is the Day Care?

The staff have a very good awareness of health and safety practices and procedures, as each room carries out its own risk assessments and records accordingly. The staff are deployed effectively within the setting to ensure children's safety and well-being both inside and outside. All areas of space within the nursery are used to their full potential to benefit the play and learning opportunities for all children. There is an excellent variety of toys and resources accessible to the children within the provision. The staff are using 'Birth to Three Matters' and the Foundation Stage to help plan activities and experiences that enable all children to develop whatever their age and ability. There is excellent care and support given to the children by all the staff.

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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 Staff have a very good working relationship with the parents. There are effective systems in place that enables the sharing of information formally and informally. A good induction process is in place that helps both the child and their parents to see and understand the nursery's practice. There is a clear and effective behaviour management procedure in place that takes account of all the children's ages and understanding. Documentation is well organised. Staff have worked hard to have in place planning and children's assessment records, they are now looking to further develop these. In the daily registers, staff need to ensure accurate records of attendance are recorded.

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What is being done well?

• The nursery provides a good range of appropriate activities that include all areas of children's development. All staff are involved in planning topics. The nursery teaches by using 'Birth to Three Matters' and the Foundation Stage. The presentation of toys and activities encourages the children to take part and show respect for the equipment. All activities are available for every child to take part and are age appropriate for individual stages of development. The staff allow regular opportunities for children to make choices and are able to explore and investigate. • There are good staffing levels in place that include effective key worker systems. This enables a high level of interaction between the staff and children at all times. • The staff have a very good understanding of health and safety both inside and outside of the pre-school. This is evident by the risk assessment and checklists in place. They effectively supervise the children to reduce any risks

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What is being done well?

that may occur. • The staff are consistent and use positive methods in their approach to managing children's behaviour. They skilfully negotiate any disagreements and promote social skills such as sharing and taking turns. The children are aware of the boundaries and they behave well and enjoy playing together. • There is a very good partnership with parents where effective procedures are in place for the sharing of all information about their children. This is either through daily discussion, notice boards outlining the day and weekly events, and children's assessment records. Parents can at any time speak to the staff about their child. Parents also have access to the nursery's polices and procedures.

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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 recording of actual numbers of children in each room.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

We received information of concerns about staff ratios within the 2 years olds room. This relates to Standard 2: organisation. We made an unannounced visit, and there did appear gaps in the recording of staff deployment in individual rooms. An action was raised to "ensure that all registers and signing-in sheets are up to date and reviewed on a regular basis". This was found to be in place at this inspection. There were also concerns re a child's safety, due to an incident where another child bit a child. The nursery had drawn up its own investigation and incident reports, no further action was taken. We had received another complaint on 3/11/2004, again re staffing. The provision had spoken with the parents and written in to our office, explaining the situation, no further action has been taken.

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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 2 Ensure that all room registers are clear with actual numbers of children present at any time.

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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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