Play Away Day Nurseries Ltd

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 15/04/2004 Inspector Name Debbie Davies

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Playaway Day Nursery Setting Address Nos 1,3 and 5 Chapel Road West End Southampton Hampshire SO30 3FE

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name MRS VANESSA LYNNE KELLOW Address 1-5 Chapel Road West End Southampton Hampshire SO30 3FE

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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 in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

Playaway Day Nursery is located in West End, Southampton. The nursery runs from three houses situated on the one site close to the village centre and serves the local community. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00 all year round offering full or part time care for children from three months to five years of age. The nursery support children who have special needs and whom english is an additional language. The nursery is also in receipt of funded three and four year olds. There are currently twenty staff working with the children and an additional two members who are supernumerary. The majority of staff have early years qualifications whilst some are currently on training programmes. The setting receives support from a teacher/mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYCDP) and the nursery also belongs to the Council of British Teachers Quality Assurance scheme.

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How good is the Day Care?

Playaway Day Nursery provides good quality care for children. They have an effective procedure in place for vetting and appointing new staff. The operational plan of the nursery works well with daily routines in place. The premises are spacious, clean and well maintained. Access to the nursery is closely monitored ensuring children's safety. The nursery has a comprehensive health and safety policy, deploying staff appropriately. Children are grouped appropriately enabling staff to establish consistent and good relationships with the children and parents. The nursery have a full compliment of toys and resources that the children are allowed to use freely. Activities are

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 stimulating and provide children with a good balanced range of interesting and challenging opportunities. However, there are some missed opportunities in the three to twelve months baby unit. Staff have a positive approach and are keen to help and support children with special needs. Children are encouraged to help one another and share. Staff constantly use praise and encouragement, giving clear explanations. Staff develop open relationships with parents who are encouraged to discuss all aspects of their child's care and progress with staff. Newsletters, a web site and an informative notice board help keep parents informed at all times. All policies, procedures and documentation is kept to a high standard.

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What is being done well?

• The staff make good use of the available space ensuring that children feel secure and confident. Children are grouped appropriately in small numbers enabling the staff to work directly with the children. There is a good management structure in place and procedures to deputise in all areas of the nursery are effective. • Staff plan activities well and the good quality resources for children aged two years and above have a good impact on children's well being, development and learning. Staff help children to learn and develop by listening to them, talking to them and extending the activity by example, questions and answers. The children in the older baby unit are encouraged to explore and learn new and exciting experiences through imaginative play in a vibrant and stimulating environment where staff interact well with them. Staff observe the very young babies and record what children do enabling them to plan the

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What is being done well?

next stage of development. • The nursery have a full compliment of toys, equipment and resources that children are allowed to use freely. They are stimulating and provide children with a balance range of interesting and challenging activities that also promote equality of opportunity. Outdoor play is well planned and is used to it's full potential. Children are encouraged to progress with physical activities in a safe and stimulating environment. Children have the opportunity to learn about nature and to grow seeds, linking this to topics or themes, promoting a wider experience for children to learn first hand. • The staff provide an excellent variety of snacks and meals that promote free choice, encouraging children to experience different flavours. All food is home cooked using quality and fresh produce ensuring that children have a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet at all times. Food is sometimes linked to

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What is being done well?

the children's topics or festivals helping them to learn about the wider world through taste, texture and experimenting with new ideas.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What needs to be improved?

• the arrangements for staff in the 3-12 month baby unit to manage children effectively so that the quality of their interactions significantly enhances all aspects of children's learning and environment.

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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 3 ensure that staff in the 3-12 month baby unit manage children effectively so that the quality of their interactions significantly enhances all aspects of children’s learning and environment.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

Playaway Day Nursery offers generally good nursery education. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals through a range of interesting activities. The quality of teaching is generally good. The staff know the individual children well and are effective in building the children's confidence and self-esteem. Staff's knowledge of the stepping stones enables them to plan an interesting curriculum however they are not always aware of the learning outcome required. The staff use the accommodation and resources well to support children's learning. The rooms are bright, well laid out, and the children have access to different areas to use for different activities. Although there are currently no children with special educational needs, there is an effective system in place to provide good support. Leadership and management is very good. The management and staff are committed to the care and education of the children. Effective systems are in place

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How effective is the nursery education?

for the assessment and development of staff and training is actively encouraged. Strategies are in place to continually improve the quality of provision. Partnership with parents is generally good. Relationships between parents and staff are open and friendly and parents are informed about routines and the range of activities that their children experience. The parents are given regular newsletters informing them of topics to be covered; there is a comprehensive parent notice board on each door giving daily information of children's experiences that day. Parents are not given a clear view of their child's progress and information is not linked to the six areas of learning.

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What is being done well?

• The children are having many worthwhile experiences to encourage their creative development. They are encouraged to explore colour and textures and use their imaginations across a range of activities. • The staff work well as a team to provide an interesting range of activities, and their knowledge of the children contributes positively to their learning. • The staff ensure the use of outdoor equipment and the garden makes the time spent outside enjoyable, worthwhile and interesting for the children.

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What needs to be improved?

• the use of planning to enable the activities to be focused correctly enabling each child to progress

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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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • the staff's understanding of the learning outcome of the focused activity • the information given to parents to ensure that they are aware of their child's progress linked to the areas of learning.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has made generally good progress since the last inspection. The issues to enhance knowledge and understanding the world have been fully addressed and this has had a positive impact on the provision for the children. Staff training is actively encouraged and a training calendar for all staff is in place. The staff plan and assess the eduactional programme, although the plans do not show the learning objective.

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What has improved since the last 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident and play an active part in their learning. The children establish friendly, positive relationships with the staff and other children. They co-operate well when working as a group and enjoy spending time together.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children have many opportunities to acess and enjoy books and they listen well to stories. They learn to write using a structured scheme. They learn to negotiate well and express their real and imagined experiences.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children learn how to use numbers in everyday situations and show that they understand size and shape through a range of practical activities. Children's development in this are is not always fully extended.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children recognise and learn about features of living things and they use the interest table to support their understanding. They use all their senses when examining resources. Children plant things and record changes that happen. Children have some opportunities to access to computers.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy using the attractive range of outdoor equipment which challenges them to climb, jump and balance. They develop and increase control of their movements using the variety of equipment available. They are competent using a wide selection of hand held tools.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy singing simple songs and nursery rhymes from memory and perform actions that go with them. They use a range of materials to draw and paint to create pictures of their own ideas and make good use of the well equipped role play area to explore their imaginations.

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• ensure parents are given a clear view of their child's progress and that information is linked to the six areas of learning; •• improve planning to enable the activities to be focused correctly enabling each child to progress • increase the staff's understanding so they are clear of the learning outcomes of the focused activity. • The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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