St Joseph's Roman Catholic Voluntary Academy

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 20/04/2003 Inspector Name Maggie Thorp

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Hendon Campus Nursery Setting Address The Burroughs London NW4 4BT

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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

The nursery provides full day care for 36 children aged three months to five years Places are predominantly for the children of staff and students of the Middlesex University however, there are places available for local residents. There are three playrooms, one for children under two, one for two year olds and one for three to five year olds. The nursery also has outside play space. There are nine staff, most have level three qualifications in child care and early years education, two other staff are working towards a level two qualification. Some children speak English as an additional language. The nursery has education funded places for three and four year olds. Children with special needs are able to attend. The nursery operates fully during term times and a limited service is offered during school holidays.

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How good is the Day Care?

The organisation of the day care is satisfactory. A high percentage of staff are qualified, and children's group sizes and staff child ratios are good. However, there are weaknesses in some aspects of the organisation of staff records and in induction. Most areas of the nursery indoors and out are well organised and resourced. The safety and care of the children is good. Effective systems are in place to ensure children's safety and to carry out repairs. There are good procedures for first aid and administering medicines. Clear signs are displayed about children's special diets thus ensuring children's dietary needs are met. However, the introduction of packed lunches, many of which are individually warmed makes mealtimes very lengthy. Good systems are in place to support and integrate children with special needs. There are omissions in the child protection policy. However, staff are clear about possible indicators of abuse and how to proceed. The range and

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How good is the Day Care?

quality of the activities and their impact on children's well being is satisfactory. Some activities and group times are well planned and children participate with enthusiasm. Some activities offered are not tuned to the development and interests of the children and do not foster children's creativity. Staff encourage children who speak different languages at home. However, the weekly planning does not include ways to extend children's interest in each other's similarities and differences. Children's behaviour is good and staff praise and encourage the children. Partnership with parents is satisfactory. Parents receive some good written information about the nursery before their children start and comprehensive information is recorded about each child. There are weaknesses in the nursery's key person system. Children and some parents are unaware of who their key person is and the role they play. Some

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How good is the Day Care?

parents are not aware that staff record children's progress.

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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

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery now has a visitors book and has a named person responsible for behaviour management. The need to organise mealtimes to foster the children's social skills and independence has been partly met for all but the younger babies in that they sit round the table chatting together as they eat. However, the mealtimes routines have been changed to packed lunches since the last inspection. The Nursery's written complaints procedure has been updated to include OFSTED as the body to contact to take complaints further.

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What is being done well?

The story telling and song times are well done, children of all ages enjoy participating in these. [Standard 3] The outdoor play space is well designed and some of the indoor play areas are well organised, providing interesting areas to explore. [Standard 4] There are some very well resourced areas i.e. a writing area, wheeled toys indoors and a tactile surface for the babies. [Standard 5]. Good systems are in place to provide for the health and safety of the children. Maintenance and safety issues are recorded and most are quickly rectified. [Standard 6, 7] Special dietary needs are displayed in all the food preparation areas to ensure children's specific needs are met. [Standard 8] Staff are aware of the different languages spoken in children's homes and offer good support to children learning English as an additional language. [Standard 9] Good systems are in place to support and integrate children with special needs. [Standard 10] Staff's

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What is being done well?

understanding of child protection issues is good. [Standard 13]

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What needs to be improved?

the systems in place for checking the suitability of staff, records on the premises for all staff, students and volunteers and the induction and mentoring of students and volunteers [Standard 1, 2, 12, 14] the registration system regarding times children and staff attend. [Standard 2, 14] the implementation of the key person system in line with the nursery's policies and the way parents are informed about their children's progress. [Standard 2, 12] the activities provided to encompass children's stages of development, interests and development of independent creative skills [Standard 3] [Also highlighted at last inspection] the organisation of play space and resources for two year olds with regard to large physical play, accessiblity, choice, and imaginative play. [Standard 4, 5] planned activities to address children's similarities and differences. [Standard 9] information for parents relating to the

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What needs to be improved?

complaints procedure and information about the nursery's responsibilities regarding child protection. [Standard 13] the child protection policy . [Standard 13]

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WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE 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

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 1 Ensure up to date employment records are kept on the premises for all staff and full contact details of students and volunteers are recorded. 2 Record hours children and staff attend. 2 Implement an effective key person system. 2 Provide induction training and on going supervision for students and volunteers. 3 Plan activities and resource play areas so that they are finely tuned to each child and so that children’s independent creative skills are fostered. 9 Plan activities that encourage children to value each other’s similarities and differences. 12 Provide parents with information about how to contact OFSTED Early Years with any complaints and about the nursery’s responsibilities regarding reporting child protection concerns. 13 Include names and contact numbers and the procedure to follow if a member of staff is accussed of child abuse in the child protection policy.

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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 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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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

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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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