County Hospital Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 15/04/2003 Inspector Name Gill Ogden

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name County Hospital Day Nursery Setting Address County Hospital Sewell Road Lincoln Lincs LN2 5QY

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name For Under 5's Ltd Address 33 Abbey Road Grimsby DN32 0HQ

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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

County Hospital Day Nursery is a privately owned facility and it was opened in 1991 by the company 'For Under Fives Ltd.' which runs several day nurseries across the region. It operates from a self-contained building in the grounds of Lincoln County Hospital which has five play rooms and a baby sleeping room as well as a fully enclosed outdoor play area. Priority for places is given to health authority staff but places are also available to the general public. The nursery is registered to provide care for 42 children under five years, of whom not more than 12 may be under two years. There are currently 74 children on roll. This includes 10 funded three-year-olds and 5 funded four-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. At the moment there are no children with special needs or who have English as an additional language. The group opens each weekday all year round. Sessions are from 6.45 am. until 6

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Information about the setting

pm. Eleven staff work with funded children. Of these nine staff have an early years qualification and one is working towards one. The setting is able to access support from a curriculum advisor through the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership

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How good is the Day Care?

County Hospital Day Nursery creates a family atmosphere in which it provides good quality care for children aged 0 - 5 years. It is a well managed nursery which prioritises staff care and as a result the whole team is committed to improving standards of care and education for the children. The staff are well qualified and experienced. They are knowledgeable about children' s development and skilled in their care. Emphasis is placed on high safety standards and good behaviour.

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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 respond well to examples set for them by the staff. Older children enjoy a variety of planned play activities which involve them moving in their key groups from room to room and outdoors. Meal and snack times are sociable occasions as well as helping children to eat and learn about a healthy diet. Babies are cared for in a separate area where they are stimulated to explore their world safely. The partnership with parents is well developed. Parents receive good information about the setting and their child's care and learning opportunities.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provider was asked to use safety mats with large equipment and to ensure that information was shared with parents. Safety mats were seen to be in use with the large outdoor equipment throughout the session and parents said they were happy about the information they received. There was a lot of written information in the entrance and parents were heard talking with staff about their children.

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What is being done well?

• The staff team is well qualified and experienced. • Management support staff to take up appropriate training which has been identified through a well-established appraisal system. The organisation holds the Investors in People award. • Pre-school age children enjoy a range of activities and experiences which help them to make good progress towards the early learning goals. • Baby care is of a high standard and takes place in a warm, secure and stimulating environment. • Safety is given high priority with a written daily risk assessment being carried out in each area of the building. • Staff have developed positive working relationships with parents and ensure they are given quality information about the care and education their children receive.

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What needs to be improved?

• the surface of the outdoor play area so that it can be used throughout the year • the child protection system by appointing a designated person.

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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 4 Improve surface of outdoor play area to enable it to be used throughout the year. 13 Appoint a designated person for child protection and arrange appropriate training for this person

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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?

County Hospital Day Nursery provides a happy, caring and stimulating environment where children make generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The progress in personal social and emotional development and physical development is particularly good. The quality of teaching is generally good. The staff are well qualified and experienced and work together as a team to plan and deliver a variety of useful activities which children enjoy. They act as good role models and encourage children to maintain high standards of behaviour. The leadership and management of the nursery is very good. There is a commitment to good staff care and ongoing training opportunities. This results in all staff taking responsibility towards the improvement of education and care for children. A good range of quality resources is provided to support children's learning. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are provided with quality written

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How effective is the nursery education?

information and have many opportunities to talk to staff about their children's learning. Many parents said that they are very happy with children's progress.

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What is being done well?

• - Staff have created a family atmosphere where children can develop their personal, social and emotional learning well. • - Children have good access to regular outdoor play and large physical play indoors which ensures they achieve well in this area. • - The style of management ensures staff are well supported and have access to good training opportunities. • - Partnership with parents is given high priority and as a result parents are very happy with the nursery and their children's learning.

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What needs to be improved?

• - differentiation in planning for more and less able children. • - more detail in assessment records to show clearly how children have made progress

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Progress since the last inspection has been generally good. Staff have developed a new planning and assessment system and ensure that all areas of learning are

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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 included in daily activities.

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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 Children are confident and work well, quickly becoming involved in activities. Behaviour is very good due to the high expectations of staff, who act as good role models. Children have high self-esteem and through the family atmosphere generated in the group they develop caring attitudes towards each other.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children talk to each other and adults confidently and can hold purposeful conversations. They enjoy 'reading' books and becoming actively involved in storytelling. They have free access to writing materials and so are supported and encouraged to practice their writing skills.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children respond well to practical activities in the daily routine which help them to reinforce number recognition, calculation and recreating patterns. They are developing mathematical language and are beginning to have a concept of time.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children enjoy using the computer and programmes support their learning in other areas. They recall events in their lives and environments in relation to activities offered in the nursery to reinforce their learning about the world they live in. They are developing an interest in differing cultures through planned activities and the knowledge and resources families are able to contribute to the nursery.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy large physical play on a regular basis and particularly enjoy the soft play area where they can safely experiment to develop their whole body skills. They use small tools and equipment safely and with increasing confidence. Meal times present an opportunity for children to talk about their food and they are beginning to develop an awareness of what is good for them.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children enjoy expressing themselves freely through art, craft, music and movement. Children use their imaginations well when playing with dressing up clothes and home corner activities. Staff pay close attention during these activities to help them extend their learning for example through talking about what they are doing.

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CREATIVE 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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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

• - review planning to ensure differentiation for more and less able children is clearly identified. • - review assessment system to incorporate more evidence on how children have made progress.

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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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