Little Millers Day Nursery and Out of School Club

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 19/07/2004 Inspector Name Susan Riley

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Little Millers Day Nursery and Out of School Club Setting Address Mansfield Road Sutton-in-Ashfield Nottinghamshire NG17 4JL

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust Address Mansfield Road Kings Mill Hospital Sutton-in-Ashfield Nottinghamshire NG17 4JL

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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

Little Millers Day Nursery and Out of School Club opened in April 2000, it is part of the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust and only offers nursery places to the NHS employees. It operates from a purpose built single storey building at the King's Mill Hospital, Sutton in Ashfield. There are currently 101 children from 6 months to 5 years on roll. This includes 12 funded 3-year-olds and 14 funded 4-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting is able to support children with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery opens each weekday all year round. Closing for 3 days during Christmas and New Year. Opening times are Monday and Tuesday 06:45 until 22:00 and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 06:45 until 18:30. Twenty-one staff work with the children. Nineteen staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. Three staff are currently working towards a

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Information about the setting

recognised early years qualification. One staff member is a qualified teacher. The setting receives support from the Nottinghamshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Little Millers Day Nursery and Out of School Club provides good quality care for children. The management have effective procedures in place for the appointing and checking of staff. The premises are clean and maintained to a high standard. Space and resources are very well organised to the meet the individual needs of children. A comprehensive set of policies and procedures, are in place to ensure the smooth running of the nursery and good care for children. Most records are in place. Staff within the nursery observe and maintain good supervision of children and address all safety issues as they arise. The premises are kept secure. Sleeping children are supervised at all times. The staff actively promote good health and

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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 hygiene practices around the setting and with the children through the daily routines. They are aware of children's individual dietary needs and have good systems in place to ensure they are met. Drinks are readily available for children. Staff have a good knowledge of child protection issues and procedures. Staff provide a stimulating range and balance of activities for all children which help them to make progress in all areas of development. They are knowledgeable about the children and how they develop through play. All children are valued, included and their individual needs are met at all times. Children's self-esteem is encouraged through the staff offering positive praise and encouragement. Children are well

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How good is the Day Care?

behaved. Parents are very welcome into the setting, good information is readily available to the parents and children are looked after according to parents' wishes at all times.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the nursery agreed to address a number of actions: - to ensure drinking water is available to children, to ensure bullying is included in the behaviour management statement, to ensure that the designated member of staff for child protection has attended training and to ensure that the statement for child protection includes the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. The nursery now has water readily available for all children, which the older children can freely access and the younger children are provided with drinks at regular intervals during the day. They have reviewed their statements on behaviour and child protection to include what was required. Thus, ensuring that all staff and parents are aware of how they operate and deal with situations. Two staff members have attended a child protection course, which has raised their awareness of child

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What has improved since the last inspection?

protection issues and of the procedures to follow.

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What is being done well?

• A good range of toys and experiences, are readily available for children to freely access, encouraging their independence. All are appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. A good range and balance of activities are planned by staff, offering first hand experiences. Children are developing well through the care and good interaction provided by staff. • The premises are clean and maintained to a high standard. The physical environment is welcoming; all the areas used by the children have natural light. All the rooms used by the children are very spacious with set areas for all activities. Children's artwork is displayed attractively around the whole setting, creating a child friendly environment. • A good staff induction programme is in place for staff, ensuring that they are aware of all systems and procedures in place. They also undertake the hospital induction program which includes fire training.

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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?

• documentation with reference to accident records to record the time.

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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 7 Ensure accident records contain additional information regarding the 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

Little Millers Day Nursery and Out of School Club provides a bright, friendly learning environment where children make generally good progress towards the early leaning goals. A varied programme of activities is offered which supports the children's development and promotes all six areas of learning. The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff have an understanding of the early learning goals and how children learn through play. The staff use the wide range of resources and equipment to extend children's learning and maintain their interest. Relationships between staff and children are very good. Staff have high expectations of behaviour and encourage this through positive praise and encouragement. The planning and assessment systems are currently being re-developed. There are effective support systems in place for children with special educational needs. The leadership and management of the nursery are generally good. The whole

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How effective is the nursery education?

nursery has a committed approach to meeting the needs of all children. Effective strategies are in place to monitor and enhance the setting. Staff work very well together as a team. Staff's recent commitment to attend training to improve their knowledge and understanding in order to improve the care and education of the children is good. The partnership with parents and carers is generally good. Relationships between staff and parents are open and friendly. Parents are given information about the six areas of learning and are well informed about the daily routines and activities. There are informal and formal channels of communication to discuss children's progress. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child's learning through the interest table and the topics covered.

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What is being done well?

• Children are confident and independent, creating a good basis for children's future learning and building their self-esteem. Relationships between staff and children are very good, ensuring children are happy and self-assured. • Children's communication skills are good; they are able to talk about their experiences both real and imaginative. • The staff use the space and the wide range of resources effectively to develop and extend children's learning. • Children's creative skills are good; especially with their imagination. They engage in imaginative role-play based on their own experiences.

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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 assessment system to ensure observations of children inform the planning for the next stage of development

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The improvements made since the last inspection in 2001 have been generally good. The nursery was required to address three key issues which were: - to improve the effectiveness of assessment by identifying and recording the progressive steps children take towards achieving the early learning goals in each of the six areas of learning; to increase provision for the children to use a widening range of resources and tools to express their ideas and communicate their feelings; and create more opportunities for the children to learn and practise writing skills and to record numbers through informal activities, such as role-play and the use of tactile materials. The staff are currently developing a new assessment system. Children now have a resource area that they can freely access and use a wide range of tools and resources. Also a wider range of activities is planned by staff to enable children to freely express their ideas and communicate their feelings. The staff now provide

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What has improved since the last inspection?

more opportunities for children to write, record and make marks, e.g. during imaginative play, within the writing area, and during messy play.

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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 demonstrate curiosity, and are interested in the activities and are motivation to learn. They are confident to speak in large groups. Some children are able to concentrate well and are able to complete task to their own satisfaction. Children are forming good relationships with their peers and adults; definite friendship groups are in place. They exhibit an understanding of what is right and wrong. Children's personal independence is developing well.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children interact well with each other; older children are able to negotiate. They are confident to use language, they engage in conversations with peers and adults. Children speak clearly and demonstrate awareness of the listener. Some children are able to link sounds to letters. Children listen and respond with enjoyment to stories and they handle books with care. Most children are able to write their own name and letter formation is developing. Children are able to recognise their own name.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children count reliably to ten and beyond, most children are able to recognise the numerals. They demonstrate an understanding of addition and subtraction through the practical activities provided. Children are able to recreate simple patterns of two colours and some children recognise patterns within the environment. They use mathematical and positional language within their play. Children enjoy number songs and rhymes.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children are gaining an awareness of their own culture and the beliefs of others. They daily note the changes in the weather. Children have an awareness of time; they talk freely about significant events in their lives. They are learning about the world around them through the visits within the local area and topics covered. Children's computer skills are good; they competently use the mouse and change programs. They are able to build and construct with a wide range of objects and materials.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children move with confidence and in safety around the nursery. They demonstrate a sense of space for themselves and that of others. Most children show a clear preference to the preferred hand. Children are aware of their own needs and demonstrate an understanding of good practices with regard to their hygiene routines and keeping healthy. They use a wide range of small and large equipment using their small and large muscles. Children handle and use tools and materials with increasing control.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children explore colour, texture, shape, form and space in two and three dimensions. They are able to match movements to music and sing simple songs from memory. Children use their imagination well in their art and design work and role-play situations. They respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, smell, touch, feel, and make good use of the range of materials and equipment available. Some children are able to talk about their creative work.

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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

• continue with the development of the new system of planning for children's individual future progress.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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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