The Firs Lower School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 02/12/2003 Inspector Name Seema Parmar

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Andrew Memorial Day Nursery Setting Address Seventh Day Adventist Church Glebe Road London NW10 2JD

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Andrew Memorial Day Nursery opened in 1989. It operates from a building owned by the church. Children have access to a large ground floor hall; first floor room for rest periods; staff room; kitchen and toileting facilities. The nursery is located in Willesden, in the London Borough of Brent. The setting serves the local community. There are currently 21 children aged 2 to 5 years old on roll. This includes 9 funded 3 year olds and 2 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports a number of children with special needs. The nursery opens five days a week, all year around from 08:15 to 17:30 hours, Mondays to Thursdays and 08:15 to 12:45 hours, on Fridays. 6 staff work with the children. 4 staff hold relevant early years qualifications; 1 staff member was a registered childminder and 1 staff member is unqualified and is working towards an NVQ Level 2 qualification. The nursery also employ a cook who

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Andrew Memorial Day nursery provides a satisfactory standard of care. The nursery teaching is based on the Christian faith of the Seventh Day Adventist. The curriculum focuses on the High Scope ideology which centres in the recognition and support of unique differences in children, developing confidence on what a child can do. In line with this philosophy, there are a wide range of activities that help children make good progress in all areas of their development. They offer a good balance of structured activities and self directed play opportunities for children. Staff work well with children and have sound knowledge of the children's needs and interests. Most of the staff have suitable qualifications and experience. There are opportunities to further their knowledge and skills through training courses.

p.2

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 are well cared for by staff. Generally, positive steps have been taken to promote the safety of children, however, the fire exits must not be obstructed. Hygiene is generally satisfactory although there is room for improvement in the storage of the sleeping bags and the room used for the rest periods. Snack and meal times are nutritious and presented well, however, there are missed opportunities for children to continue to develop their independence and self help skills. In addition, there is no process in place, that draws out the children's special dietary needs from the registration forms, for the cook to refer to. Record keeping is satisfactory, however these lack some necessary details. Parents receive good information about the setting. Management and staff are

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

available to talk to parents on a daily basis and provide a forum for regular and ongoing updates about their child's progress.

p.3

What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, one action was raised. This was in relation to maintaining effective accident records. This is now in place and is in compliance with regulations. Accountability and sharing this information with parents will be improved as a result.

p.3

What is being done well?

• The organisation of the resources enable children to make their own choices. Well defined play areas are inviting for children. • Children are happy and settled in the nursery. They are well cared for by staff who have a good understanding of meeting their individual needs. • Children have access to a broad range of activities. Staff provide a very good balance of free play and structured activities. Children have the opportunity for small and large group work. The length of time at each activity is kept to a realistic time to ensure that children sustain interest and do not become bored. • Freshly prepared, hot and nutritious meals are offered to children daily.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• notification to Ofsted of any students on the premises. • the room and equipment used for children's rest periods, is suitably maintained. The sleeping bags must be appropriately stored. The hygiene of the skirting boards and the area behind the piano needs to be kept free from unwanted items and dust. • the fire exits, must be unobstructed at all times • snack and lunch times, children should be given opportunities to develop self help and independence skills. • the arrangements for the information on children's special dietary needs,

p.3

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 should be effectively maintained. • documentation as follows: • record the hours of attendance for each child; • devise a policy for uncollected children; • the accuracy of children's records; • the child protection procedure, ensure this is compliant with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedure; and • the policies and procedures, are to be updated and maintained with those required and set in the National Standards for Full Day Care.

p.3

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.

p.4

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 1 Notify Ofsted of any students on the premises. 2 Record hours of attendance for each child. 2 Devise and implement, when necessary, a policy for uncollected children. 4 Ensure the room and equipment used for children’s rest periods is suitably maintained. 6 Ensure the fire exits are left unobstructed at all times. 8 Ensure the arrangements for the information on children’s special dietary needs is effectively maintained. 8 Develop opportunities for children to gain independence and self help skills at snack and meal times. 13 Update the child protection procedure and ensure that this is compliant with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedure. 14 Ensure all children’s records are accurately maintained. 14 Ensure that the policies and procedures are updated and maintained, with

p.4

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 those required and set in the National Standards for Full Day Care.

p.4

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

p.5

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

p.6

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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

p.7