St Bridget's CofE Junior Mixed and Infant School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 14/02/2005 Inspector Name Stacey Sangster

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Just Learning Day Nursery (Ragstone House) Setting Address 48 College Road Maidstone Kent ME15 6SA

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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 opened in 1998. It operates from a large house located near Maidstone town centre. The younger children are cared for downstairs, and the three to five year olds are cared for upstairs. The nursery serves the local area. There are currently 86 children from babies to pre-school aged children on roll. This includes 10 funded three-year-olds and 8 funded four-year-olds. Children attend a variety of sessions. The setting is not currently supporting any children with special needs, or who speak English as an additional language. The group opens all year round. Sessions are from 08:00 until 18:00. (Except BH and week at Christmas) There are 13 members of staff work with children. Over half the staff have an early years qualification to NVQ level 2 or 3. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Just Learning Day Nursery provides good quality care for children. The majority of the staff are well qualified and experienced and there are excellent opportunities for them to regularly update their knowledge and skills. The organisation of the premises is very good. Children have opportunities to use a variety of rooms for different types of play. Rooms are attractive and have a child friendly layout, with well-organised easily accessible resources. Regular use of the outside area is enjoyed by all children. Documentation is well maintained, professionally kept and effectively used to support the childcare offered. Policies are successfully organised to provide guidance to staff and information to parents although the complaint log has not been fully set up. Safety is given high priority and children quickly learn the routines devised to move them safely around the building. Health and hygiene matters are dealt with appropriately. Dietary needs are very well met with particular

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How good is the Day Care?

care given to meeting special needs. Snacks are healthy and children sit together to eat in a social atmosphere. The setting have a very positive attitude to equal opportunity issues and are able to support children with special needs although lack

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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 toys that depict positive images of disabled people. The staff are knowledgeable about child protection issues and the policy is clear that the welfare of the child is paramount. Staff provide good levels of support to children and positive relationships between the children and their carers are formed. Staff have clear expectations of the children's behaviour and give praise and encouragement in a positive atmosphere. The staff are committed to building a partnership with parents which is effective and ensures that all relevant information is shared and updated on a regular basis. Parents comment positively about the care that their children receive, their views are canvassed and suggestions for improvements are acted on where possible.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The setting was asked to consider revising the sleeping arrangements to enable children's individual needs to be met. Children can now sleep on if they need to for a short period in the toddler room or have alternative sleep arrangements made where they can sleep undisturbed in the baby room if this meets their daily needs better. The setting was asked to look at parent’s requests for more written information after their children leave the baby/toddler departments. Daily update sheets are now completed for those parents who would like them. The system for keeping a permanent record of which staff have worked with which children is now established.

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What is being done well?

• Staff are well trained and have very good opportunities to update their skills and knowledge. They are committed to developing their qualifications as well as keeping up to date with best practice. • The health and safety procedures in the setting are given very good attention. This enables children to be cared for in a clean and safe environment. • Dietary needs are very well met. A wide variety of nutritious meals are served and the setting are able to make adjustments to accommodate individual children's special dietary needs. • The operational procedure is clear, detailed and easy for staff to extract relevant information. As a result there is a consistent approach to managing the setting and staff are provided with guidance that is user friendly and accessible.

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What needs to be improved?

• children's access to resources that positively depict people with disabilities; • the complaint log format - to enable parents to access details of complaints that have been made and the action the setting have taken to address them

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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

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

Ofsted received a complaint in November 2004. The setting responded positively to the concerns raised and amended practices where it was practicable to do so.

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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 Increase children access to the range of toys and equipment that positively reflect disabled people in our society. 12 Ensure that the complaint log format enables parents to access details of complaints that have been made and the action the setting have taken to address them.

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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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