Nene Valley Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/02/2004 Inspector Name Andrea Ewer

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Nene Valley Day Nursery Setting Address Cliftonville Northampton Northamptonshire NN1 5HL

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Child Base Ltd Address Kingston House Northampton Road Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire MK16 8NJ

p.1

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

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 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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Nene Valley Day Nursery is a purpose built Day Nursery situated within the grounds of Northampton General Hospital. The nursery provides childcare for staff who work at the hospital and the wider community. The nursery has recently introduced the "Sound Foundations" programme of learning for children. The nursery is open from 07:00 to 18:30, Monday to Friday and is closed only for public and bank holidays. There are currently 141 children aged from six weeks to five years old on the register. This includes 17 funded three year olds and 10 funded four year olds. There are 19 staff who work directly with the children, 17 of whom have an early years qualification, and two who are currently on training programmes. The setting receives support from the Northampton Early Years and Childcare Development Partnership.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Nene Valley Day Nursery provides a satisfactory standard of care. The nursery is well organised, with clear policies and procedures that staff understand and apply consistently. Records are well kept and organised. Generally staff have a good awareness of safety issues within the nursery. Effective measures are in place to keep children safe, however some activities which are provided for children under the age of two years are not suitable. Children learn about personal hygiene through daily routines, and staff give good attention to children's individual needs for nappy changing, sleeping and feeding. Staff get to know children well and meet their individual needs. They plan and provide an interesting and varied range of activities, including the use of natural materials, that children enjoy playing with, and provides challenge. Children use the range of activities set out for them confidently, both independently and with adult

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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 support. However opportunities for children to choose what to play with are limited. Resources that help children value and understand similarities and differences in people are being developed. The outdoor area is particularly well organised. The nursery has a clear behaviour management policy that is understood by all staff. Children respond well to their high expectations, and behave well. The nursery places good emphasis on working in partnership with parents. Parents are made to feel welcome in the nursery. Very good systems are in place to ensure both parents and nursery staff are aware of relevant information that may affect the child's care and well being.

p.2

What has improved since the last inspection?

During the last inspection the nursery agreed to make sure there is a system in place for registering children and staff attendance on a daily basis, keep an up to date record of visitors and keep written records of any medicine administered to children. They also agreed to designate a member of staff with responsibiltiy for behaviour management and ensure staff are aware of good hygiene practice. Daily attendance registers are kept in each room, along with a main register. Staff sign in and out daily as do visitors. This ensures that in the event of an emergency everyone can be accounted for. Medicine records are kept and include written consent from parents and staff sign to confirm medicine has been administered. There is now a designated member of staff for behaviour management. She is responsible for ensuring all staff are aware of the behaviour management policy and any changes in practice. This ensures a consistent approach to behaviour

p.3

What has improved since the last inspection?

management throughout the nursery, which helps children understand what is expected of them, and as a result they behave well.

p.3

What is being done well?

• Staff get to know children very well, and meet their individual needs. They interact warmly with children in order to help them feel valued and develop their confidence. • The use of the outdoor play area. The area is divided to provide suitable and safe outdoor play for the various age groups. The outdoor area is interesting, children have good opportunities for physical activities, and there are many features that help children learn about nature. • Staff plan and provide a broad range of stimulating activities, that children are interested in and use confidently. • The nursery develops effective relationships with parents. There are many opportunities to share information about children in order that appropriate care is given.

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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • the planning of activities to ensure they are suitable for the age group and level of maturity of children • opportunities for children to choose what to play with, • the range of resources that help children understand similarities and differences.

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 3 Make sure activities are appropriate for the age group and level of maturity of children. 5 Provide greater opportunities for children to choose what to play with. 9 Develop resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability.

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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.4

How effective is the nursery education?

Nene Valley Day Nursery provides an attractive environment where children make generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is generally good. The enthusiastic, caring team of staff have a good knowledge of the foundation stage. The curriculum shows a range of interesting activities. A new planning system has recently been implemented. Observations and assessments enable staff to build up their knowledge of how individual children learn and make progress but they are not always used systematically to plan the children's future learning. Staff build positive relationships with the children and know the children well, supporting them whenever necessary. They question the children to extend their understanding and to encourage them to think for themselves. Staff do not however always provide sufficient opportunities for children to use their skills and knowledge to enhance their own creativity or enable

p.5

How effective is the nursery education?

them to self select further resources to take the initiative in their learning. Staff reinforce clear boundaries and have high expectations for children's behaviour. They offer regular praise and encouragement. Staff have the knowledge and experience to support children with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language. Leadership and management is very good. The management and staff are committed to the care and education of the children. Staff work well together as a team. They are clear of their roles and responsibilities, regularly evaluating activities and their practice. The staff attend training to extend their knowledge and develop their skills. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents receive good information about the foundation stage and are given ideas to extend their children's learning at home. They are informed about their child's achievements. Parents are welcome to speak

p.5

How effective is the nursery education?

to staff at any time and have opportunities to attend parent's evening.

p.5

What is being done well?

• Children are confident and interested in the range of activities provided. Staff treat the children with respect and their individual needs and decisions are valued. They praise and encourage the children developing their confidence and self esteem. This provides children with a secure basis for taking part in new experiences and helps to promote a positive view of themselves as successful learners. • Children are developing their speaking and listening skills. They communicate with confidence. Older children sustain attentive listening, responding to what they hear by relevant comments, questions and actions. • Children engage in a wide range of activities which develop their hand-eye

p.5

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 coordination. They show increasing skill in the use of mark making implements, construction sets and small world activities. They explore malleable materials and manipulate to achieve a planned effect. • The nursery develops a very effective partnership with parents. A good range of information is provided to parents about the foundation stage and how the nursery operates. Parents receive regular news letters and are given ideas about how to support children's learning at home. There are regular opportunities to exchange information about the children's achievements and progress.

p.5

What needs to be improved?

• opportunities for children to select further resources to enable them to take the initiative in their learning and to use their skills and knowledge to enhance their own creativity • opportunities for children to experiment with writing as part of their play • opportunities for children to use a wider range of tools and techniques to shape, assemble and join materials • the awareness of all staff as to how to tailor the plans to take account of the children's individual needs and to adapt the activities as required.

p.6

What has improved since the last inspection?

Generally good progress has been made in implementing the action plan drawn up to address four actions raised at the last inspection. Children are offered a good balance of activities however they sometimes have limited opportunities to self select further resources to enable them to take the initiative in their learning. The planning has been developed and covers all the early learning goals. Children take part in a good range of activities and learn through their play. Children are developing their mathematical understanding. Staff provide children with opportunities to record numbers and solve simple problems through play and practical activities. Children's opportunities to express themselves and develop their own creativity however is still limited. They are not always given sufficient opportunities to express and communicate their own ideas.

p.6

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

p.6

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are happy and interested in the range of activities provided. Four year olds persevere at activities for a sustained length of time. The interaction between children and adults is very good. Children behave very well. Their confidence and self esteem is promoted through continual praise and encouragement. Children are developing good self care skills although access to resources is sometimes limited. Children have opportunities to experience a variety of different cultural festivals.

p.7

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children speak confidently, using language for a variety of purposes. They recall past events, take turns in conversations and describe what they are doing. Children handle books, listen to stories and respond with enjoyment to singing. They are beginning to link sounds and letters. Children are developing their early writing skills as they draw and paint however opportunities to experiment with writing as part of their play are limited. Older children copy write and write their names.

p.7

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children count at every opportunity, with more able children working with larger numbers. Older children recognise numerals and count spontaneously. They compare different numbers of objects and are developing their understanding of problem solving and calculation. Children discover the properties of different shapes as they work with different construction resources and puzzles. They use mathematical language to compare position, size and quantity, create patterns and explore capacity.

p.7

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good The children show an awareness of the world around them. They show curiosity as they observe items such as leaves and wildlife in the outdoor area. They plant seeds and grow vegetables. Children build and construct using a range of objects but have limited opportunities to use a wider range of tools and techniques to develop their design and making skills further. Children talk about past events in their lives and are developing an awareness of other cultures.

p.7

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

p.7

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children move with increasing control and coordination participating in a range of activities to develop skills such as climbing, jumping and balancing. They have a good awareness of the space around them and the close proximity of others. Children move to music and participate in an action time session discovering different ways of moving their bodies. Manipulative skills are developed, children handle tools, objects and malleable materials appropriately.

p.8

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children take part in activities exploring different media and materials. They differentiate colours, marks and movements on paper. Children enjoy singing, responding to sound with body movements. They use instruments to tap out simple beats. Children use their imaginations as they make constructions to reflect their own ideas. However children are not always given sufficient scope to express and communicate their own ideas further during art, imaginary play and music.

p.8

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

p.8

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.

p.9

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• provide regular opportunities for children to use their skills and understanding to enhance their own creativity • increase children's opportunities to operate independently and to take the initiative by reviewing access to the resources • ensure that all staff are aware of how to tailor the plans to take account of children's individual needs and to adapt the activities as required.

p.9

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.

p.9

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

p.9

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

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

p.10

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.10

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.10

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.10

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.10

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.10

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.10

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.10

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

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

p.10

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

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

p.10

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.

p.10

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.11

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.11

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.11

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.11

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

p.11