Excel Child Care Services Ltd

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 23/04/2003 Inspector Name Debra Davey

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Excel Childcare Setting Address 96 Forest Hill Road London SE22 0RS

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Excel Childcare Address 96 Forest Hill Road London SE22 0RS

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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

Excel Childcare is a private nursery which opened in 2002. It operates from a refurbished building, with a garden to the rear. Children are accommodated on the ground and first floor. The nursery serves families in the local community of East Dulwich. Excel is registered for 33 children under five years. The nursery intends to offer funded places for three and four year olds. Excel operates five days a week from 8.00am-6.00pm, throughout the year. Six staff work with the children. They have a variety of qualifications in early years.

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How good is the Day Care?

Excel Childcare provides satisfactory care for children under 5 years in an environment that is warm and welcoming. The nursery is presented well with practices in place to promote safety and good attention is given to hygiene issues. There are relevant policies for the running of the nursery and consistent routines that help children feel settled. Staff are caring and staffing arrangements are satisfactory, except in the room for the toddlers, where the deployment of staff does not ensure that minimum levels of qualified staff is always present. A new manager is due to start. A range of activities and play opportunities are offered to the children and generally staff support children well in their activities. However, the planning of activities is not comprehensive so opportunities for children’s learning are missed. Some activities do not offer sufficient challenge for older or more able children.

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How good is the Day Care?

There is a variety of toys and equipment for young children, including some that reflect positive images of cultures. Toys in the rooms are organised so that children can access them easily. However babies and toddlers are offered too limited range of natural and tactile materials for sensory experiences and toys and equipment on offer to the 3 and 4 year olds are limited. Staff manage children’s behaviour well. Their calm approach with praise and clear adult direction and intervention establishes and promotes children's good behaviour.

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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 The nursery fosters good relationships with parents and provides daily information for parents of the babies with the use of diaries and discussion. There is good information for parents about the setting, including policies, procedures and written agreements.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Not applicable-this is the first inspection since the nursery opened in November 2002.

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What is being done well?

• Staff are attentive to the children's personal care needs. • Toys and play materials are organised well to enable children to make choices. • The premises is presented well and staff give good attention to ensuring that children and parents feel welcome. • There are policies and procedures in place to promote safety and health, which staff consistently carry out. • Children's behaviour is managed well. • Staff foster good relationship with parents.

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What needs to be improved?

• the deployment of staff in the room for the toddlers to ensure that minimum levels of qualified staff is always met; • the planning of activities to ensure that children's needs are met and they are helped to progress in all areas of development; •• monitoring of children's progress and the use of observations and other information to provide for their individual needs; • the range of natural and tactile materials for babies and toddlers to have sensory experiences and toys and equipment on offer to the 3 and 4 year olds.

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Outcome of the 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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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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 1 Ensure that OFSTED is informed about any changes to the person in charge or to adults working on the premises. 30/04/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Improve the deployment of staff to ensure that minimum levels of qualified staff is always met in the room for the toddlers. 3 Develop existing system for the planning of activities to ensure that opportunities for learning are used effectively to help children make progress in all areas of development. 3 Monitor children's progress and use observations and other information to plan appropriate activities for the next step in their development and learning. 5 Improve the range of natural and tactile materials for babies and toddlers to have sensory experiences and toys and equipment on offer to the 3 and 4 year olds.

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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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