Brooklands Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 06/01/2004 Inspector Name Lesley, Lynn MacNay

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Brooklands Day Nursery Setting Address Greenacres Road Greenacres Oldham OL4 3EY

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

Miss Jane Reynolds has owned Brooklands Nursery for eight years and is registered to provide care for 40 children aged between one and five years. There are currently 47 children registered at the nursery. The nursery is open between 07.45 and 17:30 Monday to Friday apart from Christmas week and Bank Holidays. The single storey building is in an elevated position and is set back from the road in it's own grounds. It is located in Greenacres, an urban area of Oldham. There is on road parking at the front and side of the nursery. The Manager has child care qualifications and qualified staff are employed in the nursery. The children access each of the four play rooms as part of the structured day. There is a secure outdoor play area which is used by different age groups according to a timetable. The nursery is registered to receive education funding. The nursery operates an inclusion policy for children with special educational needs. There are currently no

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Information about the setting

children attending the provision who have English as an additional language.

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How good is the Day Care?

Brooklands Nursery offers good quality care to children. The management and organisation of the nursery is very good. Staff have knowledge and understanding of policies and procedures and have gained child care qualifications. Children throughout the nursery have access to a wide selection of stimulating play resources and equipment and the space is organised to meet the children's needs.

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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 Health and safety measures are in place. Risk assessments are completed to maintain children's safety. Children are closely supervised throughout their time at the nursery. Procedures for first aid and the administration of medication are used effectively. Children's religious and dietary needs are respected. All children are valued and treated with equal concern and the provision promotes equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. It would further enhance the groups practice if a written procedure for allegations of abuse against staff was developed. Children of all ages are provided with a wide variety of play experiences and good quality play equipment that they can access easily. The programme for children's

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How good is the Day Care?

learning is good. Thorough planning and assessments promote children's learning and experiences. Parents commented positively on the development of their children's confidence and self esteem. The partnership with parents is very good and those parents who were interviewed and who completed questionnaires spoke highly of the nursery. They commented that their children are well cared for and provided with a balanced programme of activities. Parents are provided with good quality information.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the previous inspection the nursery have developed a procedure to be followed in the event of a complaint being made about the service. This has enhanced the service provided to the children.

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What is being done well?

• The partnership with parents is very good. They are kept fully informed of their children's care and development and they feel welcome at the nursery at any time. • The environment is clean, warm and welcoming. It meets the children's needs and children are continually supervised. • Children have access to safe and suitable toys and equipment that they can reach easily and which promote equality of opportunity. • Children's individuality is valued and staff are sensitive to the needs of all children. They use appropriate strategies when managing unacceptable behaviour.

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What needs to be improved?

• the written policy and procedure for the allegation of child abuse made against a member of staff.

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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

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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 13 ensure that there is a written procedure in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against a member of staff

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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?

Brooklands Nursery offers good pre-school education. Children are making good progress towards the Early Learning Goals. Children enjoy learning through a wide variety of practical experiences. The teaching is generally good. Staff have a good understanding of the Early Learning Goals and stepping stones to learning. They use their observations to make assessments of the children's learning, which are clearly linked to future planning. The nursery have agreed to expand children's experience of mark making activities and to provide access to spontaneous mathematical opportunities to challenge more able children. The provision supports children with special educational needs. Some staff have completed SENCO training and they work in partnership with other agencies to meet the needs of the children. The quality of leadership and management of the setting is very good. The manager and owner are conscientious and committed to providing good quality care and

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How effective is the nursery education?

teaching. The manager assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and ensures that her staff are kept informed of changes in legislation and training opportunities. There have recently been some changes to the staffing due to maternity leave and the manager and owner have effectively dealt with this. Children are well behaved and staff provide good role models for the children. The partnership with parents is very good and those parents interviewed spoke highly of the nursery, commenting that their children are provided with a well balanced educational programme which promotes their learning. Parents commented positively on their children's development, confidence and self esteem. Parents are provided with good quality written and visual information.

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What is being done well?

• Children are provided with a range of experiences and activities to promote their learning. • Staff develop plans, make regular assessments of the children's achievements and development and use this information to inform future planning. • Children are confident and caring towards each other and have developed positive relationships with the staff. • Children are interested in their play, enjoy exploring and show increasing confidence in carrying out tasks. Staff are warm and caring towards the children.

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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 • Staff work in partnership with the parents, respect their wishes and feelings and keep them fully informed of their child's care and development.

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What needs to be improved?

• provide children with greater opportunity to spontaneously access mark making materials • challenge more able children to explore simple mathematics.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the last inspection the staff have improved their questioning techniques in language, literacy and mathematics and are using open ended questioning in most planned activities. Planning now ensures that children are provided with opportunities to associate sounds with patterns in rhymes and with syllables. Staff provide more opportunities for children to use and extend their mathematical language. Staff have improved their programme for knowledge and understanding of the world by introducing the children to the locality and by providing more technology to enable children to question how and why things work.

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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 able to express their own needs and are confident, interested and eager to learn. They select resources and display good levels of concentration. Children have formed good relationship with staff and their peers and are sensitive to the needs of others. Children understand right from wrong. Lunch time is used as a social occasion where children and staff can continue to share and discuss experiences while children develop good personal skills.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children are fluent communicators, listen well to stories with enjoyment, recall events and respond to instruction. They freely access books, use them correctly and link sounds and letters. Some children can recognise and write their own names on their work. However children cannot always access writing materials at times other than during planned activities. This leads to missed opportunities for spontaneous leaning and development of writing skills.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are using mathematical language to consolidate their learning of number, shape, size and height. They develop mathematical patterns, weigh and measure, create 2D and 3D shapes and enjoy rhymes that help them to learn about simple additions and subtractions. Some children can count up to five and beyond. However it would enhance the practice if more able children are challenged, by spontaneous opportunities, to explore number.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children learn about nature, science and time. E.g. the life cycle of caterpillars, chicks and observing their incubation process. They visit places of interest within the locality. They ask how and why things work and confidently assemble and join construction materials. Children learn about the world around them through festivals, books and discussion. Children show curiosity in the weather and changing seasons.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently, negotiating pathways when walking, running, climbing, balancing and showing increasing control and dexterity. They can use one handled tools, scissors, pouring jugs, funnels and pencils skilfully. At lunch time they serve their own lunch on to their plate and use a knife and fork with good control. Children can recognise changes in their bodies and therefore have their needs met.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

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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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have the opportunity of using a good variety of creative materials producing paintings, printings, chalking, rubbings and craft work. Children explore musical instruments and confidently sing and act out stories and action rhymes expanding their imagination. They regularly engage in dance, respond to music with movement and use puppets with good co-ordination.

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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

• Key issue, ensure children can access mark making materials. 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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