Play Box Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/04/2003 Inspector Name Rebecca Hadley

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name Play Box Nursery Setting Address Third Avenue Pensnett Trading Estate Kingswinford West Midlands DY6 7PP

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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

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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

Play Box Nursery opened in 1998. It operates in single storey premises designed to meet provision for full day care, out of school club and a playscheme. There is a small enclosed outdoor play area. The nursery is situated within the Pensnett Industrial Estate and serves a wide commuter area. Children attending come from many different backgrounds. Play Box nursery is registered to provide 55 places for children aged between birth and 5 years within the full day care provision and 16 children aged between 5 and 8 years in the out of school and holiday club. There are currently over 100 children on roll. The nursery provides care and support for children with special needs and whose first language is not English. The nursery is opens five days a week between the hours of 7 am to 6 p.m. The out of school provision serves Blanford Mere Primary School during term time only. The Playscheme provision is open to all parents and operates during all school holidays.

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Information about the setting

Mini buses are available to transport children to and from school. There is a total of 21 members of staff providing adequate cover to maintain ratios. Nearly all staff have Early Years qualifications or are working towards this. The nursery does not receive funding for the 3 to 4 year olds.

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How good is the Day Care?

Play Box Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. The nursery provides a welcoming environment for the children and the premises are well maintained. There are vetting procedures in place and also a CCTV camera which ensures that no unauthorised person has access to the children. Staff promote good hygiene and the children demonstrate a knowledge of hygiene procedures. All staff hold a first aid qualification and basic food hygiene.Menus are varied and include fresh fruit and vegetables. Childrens dietry needs are recognised and catered for. There is a wide range of toys and activities to meet the needs of the children and staff are mainly aware of how to promote learning through play. However there were

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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 some missed opportunities for learning and staff did not always offer praise and encouragement with enthusiasm. Toys are regularly cleaned and checked to ensure their safety. Staff plan activities to cover all areas of learning whilst making sure that planning is flexible to allow for the needs of the children. Toys and equipment have been adapted to meet the needs of children who have specific learning difficulties. Displays and toys portray positive images and different cultures. The nursery staff work hard towards promoting good relationships with their parents. Information is passed on daily and parents are encouraged to take an active part in their childrens nursery life.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has written and implemented a special needs statement.

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What is being done well?

• there are effective procedures in place to ensure that no unauthorised person has access to the children; (standard 1 ) • the nursery makes good use of space and staff to provide an environment that meets the needs of each individual child; (standard 2) • staff have a good knowledge of both safety and hygiene issues. They promote them at all times and actively encourage the childrens awareness of them; (standards 6 and 7) • staff have forged links with outside agencies such as speech and physiotherapists and work with them to provide positive learning experiences for children who have special needs.(standard 10)

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What needs to be improved?

• opportunities for children to learn without staff intervention; (standard 3) • offering praise and encouragement with more enthusiasm; (standard 3) • consent for emergency medical treatment for all children; (standard 7) • recording of sanctions in more depth; (standard 11) • updating child protection policy to include procedure for staff; (standard 13)

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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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 3 Ensure that all staff understand the need to develop children’s self esteem by offering sincere praise and encouragement when deserved. 3 Allow children the opportunity to explore and learn independently through play activities. 7 Ensure that every child has a signed consent form for emergency medical treatment. 11 Ensure that incident recording is accurate and is dated and signed by parents. 13 Ensure that the child protection policy states procedures to follow should an allegation be 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

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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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