Greenacres Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 14/09/2004 Inspector Name Anne Archer

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Greenacres Day Nursery Setting Address Puxley Potterspury Towcester Northamptonshire NN12 7QS

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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

Greenacres Day Nursery opened in 1990. It operates from a single storey building situated in the hamlet of Puxley near Potterspury in South Northamptonshire. The nursery serves a wide area. The nursery is registered to provide care for 27 children aged from birth to under five years. There are currently 26 children on roll including nine funded three-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery supports children with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery opens five days a week all year round except for Bank Holidays and a short break between Christmas and New Year. Opening hours are from 08:00 until 18:00. The owner, manager and six staff work with the children. All have relevant early years qualifications. The nursery receives support from the Northamptonshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Greenacres Day Nursery provides good care overall for children aged from birth to under five years. The nursery's operational plan, policies and procedures work well in practice. Very good use is made of staff, space and other resources to ensure children are provided with an accessible and stimulating learning environment. Babies are cared for by a consistent group of staff and their individual routines are catered for. All documentation which is required for the efficient and safe management of the nursery is well maintained and stored securely. The owner and manager take positive steps to promote safety within the nursery and on outings and ensure that proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents. Staff are deployed effectively and are vigilant about children's safety and security.

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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 Children's health and hygiene is promoted through effective routines. The staff are fully aware of and meet the needs of all children with special dietary needs. All children are included, their differences are acknowledged and valued and they have access to appropriate toys, learning resources and equipment. A stimulating range and balance of activities is provided for children to help them make progress in all areas of their development. Staff are interested in what children say and do and respond to their interests. Procedures for behaviour management are understood and implemented by staff and shared with parents. The owner, manager and their staff provide a warm and welcoming environment for children and parents. They work in partnership with parents to meet the needs of all

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How good is the Day Care?

the children. On the whole procedures to keep parents informed about the provision and their children, both verbally and written, are good.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the nursery was asked to make themselves aware of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. The owner has obtained a copy of the Northamptonshire guide to local procedures and shared this with her staff. The nursery's own child protection procedure makes reference to these procedures.

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What is being done well?

• Staff work well as a team and provide mutual support. They are well qualified and show high levels of care and concern for the children. • Staff include all children, acknowledge and value their differences and ensure the needs of all children are met. • Children participate in a stimulating range of activates which help them make progress in all areas of their development. • Good behaviour is valued and encouraged, methods of managing behaviour are appropriate, consistently applied and take into account children's different stages of development.

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What needs to be improved?

• arrangements for sharing the nursery's child protection procedures with parents.

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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; 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 the nursery's child protection procedures are shared with parents.

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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?

Greenacres Day Nursery provides high quality nursery education where children enjoy learning through playing with a range of interesting and exciting activities. Children make very good progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning. The quality of teaching is very good. The owner, manager and staff provide a stimulating and varied range of practical activities to help children learn. They interact well with children and extend their individual learning through thoughtful and appropriate questioning. Staff manage children and their behaviour very well. Curriculum planning for all children is very good. Observations and assessments are used well to highlight future learning. Staff support children with special educational needs to ensure they take a full part in activities and achieve to their full potential. Staff consult with parents to ensure that children with English as an additional

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How effective is the nursery education?

language are also well supported. The leadership and management of the nursery is very good. The owner and manager provide clear lines of management that ensure all staff understand their roles and responsibilities. There are effective procedures in place for appointing staff and staff appraisals although these are not yet fully recorded. Staff are supported to undertake training and personal development to ensure that the quality of learning for children is maintained. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. Parents are provided with good quality information about the provision of nursery education, the policies and procedures within the nursery, how these help children to learn and the part parents can play in their child's learning. The nursery welcomes comments from parents about their child's achievements. Parents receive daily verbal reports on their child's progress and an annual written report linked to the six areas of learning.

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What is being done well?

• Children are effectively supported to become independent learners in all areas of the curriculum. • Children's personal, social and emotional development is particularly good. Staff support children while they develop personal independence and begin to form relationships with their peers. • Children are developing good communication and language skills. Staff value what children say, introduce them to new vocabulary and encourage them to listen to others. • Staff are good role models and manage children and their behaviour very well.

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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 has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has made very good progress since the last inspection. The nursery owner and manager have embraced new initiatives within early years education to enable them and their staff to continue to provide a good quality foundation stage curriculum for three and four year olds. Evidence of activities is kept in the form of photographs and displays and daily evaluations are made to ensure activities can be adapted quickly so that all children are included and adequately supported.

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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 All children are interested, excited and motivated to learn. They are developing in self confidence and self esteem and starting to make relationships with their peers, a few children have particular friends. Children are learning to work as part of a group, to take turns and share. They are beginning to understand right from wrong and all children have an awareness of the boundaries set and the behavioural expectations within the nursery.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Most children interact and talk well and can speak clearly. Some children are beginning to show an awareness of the listener. Children are beginning to imagine and create roles and experiences and some children use talk to express their ideas and feelings. Children enjoy listening to and joining in with stories and they know that print carries meaning. Children engage in a variety of activities to develop their pre-writing skills and some children are beginning to recognise familiar words.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children learn how to say and use number names during nursery routines and by singing songs and rhymes. Most children can count reliably up to five and recognise the corresponding numeral. They can compare two groups of objects and recognise when they have the same number. Through participation in practical activities children are developing a sense of shape, space and measure. They are beginning to recognise and name the shapes of everyday objects.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are starting to develop exploration and investigation skills through participating in a range of activities with objects and living things. They have planted, watered and picked tomatoes, entering in discussions about their observations. Children are learning how to use everyday technology and can complete a simple computer programme, some with support. Children are developing a sense of time and place by learning about people who help them and about their local environment.

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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: Very Good Children are learning to use a range of small and large equipment. By participating in activities both inside and outdoors children are learning to move with control and in confidence. They are beginning to show an awareness of space for themselves and others. Children are learning about good practices in relation to their health, eating and sleeping. They use tools to manipulate and change materials and are learning that they have to be used safely.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children explore what happens when they mix colour and use a variety of media to construct two and three dimensionally. They participate in activities to develop their senses and are starting to make comparisons. Most children sing simple songs from memory and all children experiment with sounds when using a variety of musical instruments. Children are learning to use their imagination in a variety of ways. Some children introduce a narrative into their play based on first hand experiences.

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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 high quality. Children are making very 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

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • There are no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following • the recording of staff appraisal meetings. 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

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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