Hoole Bank Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 06/09/2004 Inspector Name Ron Goldsmith

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Hoole Bank Day Nursery Setting Address Hillcroft, Hoole Bank Hoole Village Chester Cheshire CH2 4ES

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Hoole Bank Day Nursery Limited 3308368

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Hoole Bank Day Nursery Limited Address Hillcroft Hoole Bank, Hoole Village Chester Cheshire CH2 4ES

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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

Hoole Bank day Nursery was established in 1997 to provide full day care and out of school for children up to the age of eight. The nursery is owned by Mr and Mrs Chung. Mrs Chung is also the Officer in charge. The nursery is situated in Hoole village, a rural area , not far from the city of Chester. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 18:00hrs. The premises consist of five playrooms, office, staff facilities and a large enclosed outdoor area. Hoole Bank Day Nursery is registered for 42 children between the ages of three months and eight years. There are ten funded three year olds currently attending. The children are divided into four age groups; under two years, two to three years, three to five years and over fives. There are no children attending who speak English as a second language and no children who have special educational needs.

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How good is the Day Care?

The quality and standard of day care at Hoole Bank Nursery is satisfactory. The manager is qualified in childcare and accessesup child care training opportunities which influence in practice. Further training in child protection is required to enable the setting to maintain compliance with child protection procedures. Records and documentation for the provision are well maintained, with all appropriate documents available for inspection, however adjustments are required to the complaints procedure. The premises provide access for all children and are generally welcoming, however some areas were identified requiring routine maintenance and improvement. Rooms are divided into appropriate age groups. Children are well supervised and staff are aware of potential hazards indoors and out, taking action to change procedures when appropriate, for example in poor weather conditions. Although there is a written risk assessment, responsibility for

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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 assessing risk is not shared amongst staff members. Staff give children snacks at appropriate times of the day but do so in a way which does not encourage children's independence. Staff know how to act in an emergency or when a child is ill. Children take part in a range of planned activities which foster their all round development. The provision for the care of babies is good and staff offer a range of stimulatory experiences for this age group. Staff use positive methods to manage behaviour and act as good role models. Effective working relationships are fostered with parents and information is shared informally as parents or carers bring and collect their children. Displays in the foyer give some indication of the activities children do.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

There were thirteen actions arising from the previous inspection. These related to checks on staff, recruitment, privacy for children, access to drinking water, cleanliness of areas, range of play experiences, frequency of fire drills, equal opportunities and child protection training, multi cultural resources, and the policy for complaints. Improvement overall is satisfactory. Ofsted is now kept generally well informed of staff changes and procedures for vetting have been complied with. Staff have undertaken special needs and child protection training although some staff have left the provision and the area of child protection has become a training issue again. The complaints policy is also an outstanding area. Water is provided but it is out of reach and out of sight of children. The setting have provided curtains to the toilet area to ensure privacy for children but the general cleanliness and condition of the provision

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What has improved since the last inspection?

remains an outstanding issue. Whilst fire drills are carried out they are not done so at an appropriate frequency. Additional resources have been purchased to reflect diversity in society.

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What is being done well?

• Children make choices during free play and have good opportunities to develop relationships. • The provision for babies is good with staff providing a range of stimulatory experiences for children. • Children can access natural materials as well as manufactured items. • Staff manage children's behaviour well explaining to children the consequences of their actions and reminding children about how they should care for each other. • Good relationships are established with parents which enables information to be shared and any concerns to be discussed and dealt with together.

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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 routine maintenance and cleanliness of the premises overall • fire safety procedures • the food and hygiene practice in the kitchen area and during snack and meal times • the provision of fresh drinking water for children at all times • adherence to the Area Child Protection Committee policy regarding a designated member of staff attending an appropriate child protection training course • the complaints procedure.

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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 4 ensure that the premises are appropriately maintained 6 meet any recommendations made by the Fire Safety Officer (fire drills and accessibility of fire fighting equipment) 7 ensure appropriate food and hygiene practices are in place regarding the kitchen area 8 ensure meals and snacks can be served appropriately 8 provide fresh drinking water for children at all times 13 ensure that there is a trained member of staff who has responsibility for child protection issues 12 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint

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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?

Hoole Bank Day Nursery provides good quality nursery education overall which enables children to make generally good progress towards the early learning goals. Provision for their creative and physical development means they are making very good progress in these areas. They are also making very good progress in the area of knowledge and understanding of the world. They are making generally good progress in the area of personal, social and emotional development; in communication, language and literacy and in the area of mathematical development. The quality of teaching is generally good. Most staff understand how three and four year old children learn and are familiar with the stepping stones. The organisation of staff and resources helps children to make generally good progress, however more could be done to organise activities, and the staff's involvement with children, to ensure that children are engaged in opportunities that challenge and extend their

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How effective is the nursery education?

learning, particularly in the area of personal, social and emotional development, communication language and literacy and mathematical development. The quality of management and leadership is generally good. The manager liaises with staff to ensure the aims of the provision are carried out. Although there are regular staff meetings, there is not yet a rigorous system to appraise staff and offer clear points for improvement which leads to some inconsistencies in practice which could be resolved through more clearly focused training and support. Partnership with parents is very good. The setting works with parents and carers to support children's learning. Communication is clear and keeps most parents informed about the setting and its provision. Parents speak positively about the setting.

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What is being done well?

• The children communicate well with each other and with staff. They are confident, interested and motivated to learn. • Children are happy and secure within the setting, they are forming good relationships with each other. • Children's creative development is very good. They enjoy joining in with dancing and favourite songs and they use their imagination well in music, dance and role play. • Partnership with parents is very good, and parents and the provider are able to exchange information which supports children's welfare and development.

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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 • children's indpendence at snack and meal times • opportunities for children to attempt writing for a variety of purposes using different forms • mathematical development to ensure that children can develop their understanding of addition and subtraction through practical activities and discussion and using language to compare two numbers • the quality of teaching to ensure staff make full use of routines and activities to promote children's learning • the leadership and management of staff to ensure staff are clear about their roles in the setting and they are given clear points for improvement, ensuring appropriate challenges are set according to the ages and understanding of children.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has made generally good progress towards implementing the two areas for improvement made at their last inspection. The policy for Special Educational Needs has been improved to include reference to the Code of Practice and two members of staff (the manager and deputy) have been trained in this area. In the second area there has been an expansion in the assessment and recording procedure to include the six areas of learning, so that they more clearly reflect the desirable outcomes. However, the assessment and recording should influence planning more closely, to ensure that the interest of all children is maintained and appropriate challenges are set.

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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: Generally Good Most children are able to separate from their main carer with confidence, some with support. Children show curiosity and are developing confidence through activities like helping to tidy away. Children's independence could be further developed at snack and meal times. Children feel safe and secure and demonstrate a sense of trust in staff. They talk freely about their home and community and they demonstrate pride in their achievements by telling staff that they have accomplished tasks.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children use vocabulary focused on objects and people who are important to them. They use language to recall and relive past experiences. They enjoy joining in with rhymes and rythmic actions. They show an interest in print and illustrations in books, however more opportunities to allow children to write for a variety of purposes using different forms should be developed. children engage in activities requiring hand eye co-ordination and use one handed tools and equipment well.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children enjoy joining in with number rhymes and counting and they show an interest in numbers and counting. Children also show an interest in shape and space by playing with shapes or making arrangements with objects. They show an awareness of similarities in shape in the environment. Opportunities to understand simple calculation such as comparing numbers, addition and subtraction require further development.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children show curiosity and interest in their facial expressions and movement. They investigate construction materials and realise tools can be used for a purpose. They show an interest in information and computer technology, using the computer with support from staff, and they can operate simple equipment independently. They remember and talk about significant events that have happened to them and show an interest in the world in which they live.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children respond to music and rhythm enthusiastically and they combine and repeat a range of movements successfully. They negotiate appropriate pathways when walking in the setting or when playing running or chasing games with other children. They show an awareness of themselves and others. They show increasing skill in the use of construction sets, blocks, and small world activities.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

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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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are beginning to differentiate colours and they make three dimensional structures. They enjoy joining in dancing and their favourite songs. They respond to sound with body movement. They notice what adults do imitating what is observed. Children show an interest in what they see, feel, smell, hear and touch.

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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

• improve children's independence at meals and snack times • increase children's awareness of the different purposes of writing • develop children's understanding of addition and subtraction through practical activities and discussion and by using language to compare two numbers • introduce a rigorous sytem to monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching inprove leadership and management so that clear points for improvement are given to staff, ensuring that inconsistencies in practice can be resolved through clearly focused training and support.

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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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