Brock House Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 21/01/2004 Inspector Name Anneliese Fox-Jones

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Brock House Nursery School Setting Address 6 Lemsford Road St. Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3PB

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Brock House Nursery School Ltd 3261877

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Brock House Nursery School Ltd Address 6 Lemsford Road St. Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3PB

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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

Brock House Nursery School and Baby Unit is privately owned and has been established since 1992. Mr Keith Hudson and Mrs J Hudson are the proprietors. Mrs Caroline Lawlor is the manager and an experienced member of staff who oversees the day-to-day running of the nursery. The nursery is based in a large three story detached house in the centre of St Albans, within walking distance to the city centre and railway station. Children are allocated to rooms according to their age and stage of development. The older children use several rooms situated on the ground floor and first floor. The baby unit has a separate entrance and is located on the lower ground floor of the building. Brockhouse is open every day from 07:30 to 18:45 for 51 weeks of the year. Eight staff are fully qualified and a further three are training in the workplace towards their NVQ in early years. No overnight care is provided. There were seven nursery educational funded

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Information about the setting

children on the register at the time of inspection.

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How good is the Day Care?

Brock House Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. They benefit from qualified and experienced staff who make the environment welcoming and inviting for children and carers. The nursery maintains all necessary documentation to ensure the provision runs effectively, however, some documention lacks detail and needs reviewing. Generally toys, equipment and furniture are adequate, however, this was discussed as an area to continue to extend and increase. The staff plan and provide stimulating and varied activities, which enables children to make progress in all areas of their development. Children are keen to participate in the activities on offer and show a good level of concentration. A key worker system operates ensuring that all children's needs are met and they receive appropriate support. Most aspects of health and safety are in place, although some issues were identified for improvement.

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How good is the Day Care?

Staff show an awareness of children's individual stages of development and group

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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 children appropriately. Staff sit at the children's level, they question them, encourage them to share ideas and respond with plenty of praise. Children are happy and secure in their surroundings. The staff have developed strong links with parents and carers. Parents are happy with the care and education their children receive. Any suggestions and ideas are acted upon and quickly dealt with by the nursery. Parents are provided with detailed quality information about the provision. Newsletters and daily sheets keep parents informed about what is happening. Mothers and Fathers are encouraged to be involved and are invited to attend afternoon tea sessions. There are also further and regular opportunities for them to discuss their child's progress.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the last inspection the group now: record accurate daily attendance times for staff and children, resources have been developed for children aged 18 months to 2 years, an incident and visitors book has been established, detailed risk assessment are in place and reviewed regularly and staff's knowledge regarding child protection is ongoing and intended that all staff complete the basic and advanced course.

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What is being done well?

• The staff's relationship and interaction with the children is very good. They group the children appropriately to ensure they are learning at the right level and within a comfortable and attractive environment. A stimulating range of resources and activities are planned and easily available to all children. (Standards 3 and 4) • Staff are interested in what the children say and do, responding with plenty of praise and encouragement. Staff act as good role models and use positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour. They enjoy the children's company and spend time talking, listening and helping them learn. (Standards 3 and 11) • The nursery communicates and works in partnership with parents. They consistently share information about what has been done, particularly through the use of daily sheets, newsletters and notice boards. (Standard 12)

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What needs to be improved?

• safety in the premises and outside space (Standard 6) • the procedures when using nappy cream and including sickness exclusion dates (Standard 7) • the detail in the policies for special needs and child protection (Standards 10 and 13)

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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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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 6 Ensure that any potential hazards are made safe or inaccessible to the children, with regards to the ivy, brambles, rotary line, bricks, shed and safety gates. 7 Ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding nappy cream. 7 Extend the illness policy to include exclusion dates. 10 Review and update the special education needs policy in the light of recent changes. 13 Review and extend the child protection policy to include further detail regarding procedures to follow.

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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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