Oak Tree Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 16/09/2004 Inspector Name Mandy Gannon

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Oak Tree Day Nursery Setting Address 13 Nine Mile Ride Finchampstead Wokingham Berkshire RG40 4QD

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

Oak Tree Day nursery is a private Full Day care provision set in rural surroundings and is part of the Child Base group, which has nurseries across the country.The nursery provision is set over two floors and has a large enclosed paved and grassed garden to the rear of the property. Oak Tree Nursery is open from 7.30 am to 6.30pm each weekday with the exception of Public and Bank Holidays. Full and part-time places are offered. There are currently 54 children on role. There are 7 of the 3-year-olds who are in receipt of nursery education funding. There are Peripatetic teachers who offer French, music and computer sessions to funded children. The setting is able to support children with special needs and staff are trained in Makaton. The children are cared for across the age groups by qualified, experienced Nursery nurses, and nursery assistants. Four staff currently hold First Aid certificates. All staff

p.2

Information about the setting

hold six hour paediatric first aid with Epipen training. The setting receives support from the local Early Years Childcare and Development Partnership.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Oak Tree Day Nursery provides good care for children. All aspects of the provision are well organised, and an effective use of space and resources is maintained. Staff are guided by an agreed set of policies and procedures which are agreed by the company, understood and consistently implemented by staff. The staff show a commitment to training and keep informed and up to date. The setting has documentation that is well maintained in all areas, although minor adjustments are needed. Staff give high priority is given to children's safety both inside and outside.They are aware of potential hazards and complete regular risk assessments. They support children with special needs and fully include them in all activities. Staff have recently acquired Makaton training. Children benefit from consistent routines for sleeping,

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 playing and eating and parents are informed of their daily activities and routines. Children make choices; they select activities and toys from accessible shelving and are encouraged in their independence. Staff ensure that strategies are in place to manage children's behaviour and staff are calm role models who are consistent and support the child. They give praise and encouragement and children respond well. The nursery welcomes parents and carers into the group and good relationships are formed; they are kept well informed of the nursery and the progress of their child. Relationships continue to grow very positively with the new management.

p.2

What is being done well?

• Staff are interested in what children say and do, they talk and listen to the children, asking them questions to make them think. • Children are interested in activities provided, they show enjoyment, involvement, are happy and settled. • Staff form good relationships with parents. They receive regular information about the provision and their child and have seen continued recent improvement through recent Manager. • Management is strong and support is given to the whole staff team valuing everybody's individual strengths.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• maintenance of documentation, in particular the register with the hours of arrival and departure of children kept up to date at all times • maintenance of the garden from potential plant hazards.

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.3

CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

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.3

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 6 Ensure that potential hazards from plants in garden are made inaccessible to children. 14 Ensure that daily record and hours of attendance are maintained at all times.

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?

The provision for nursery education at Oak Tree Day Nursery is acceptable and of good quality. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. Children are making very good progress in personal, social and emotional, communication language and literacy, mathematical and physical development and generally good progress in other areas. The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff plan a variety of practical activities both in and out of doors and they understand what children learn. However, some staff miss opportunities to challenge older or more able children, especially in areas of creative development and knowledge and understanding of the world. Resources are of very good quality and are well organised to increase children's independence. Staff are skilled at developing children's language; they listen to them, are interested and ask questions to make them think. Children have opportunities to take part in

p.5

How effective is the nursery education?

French lessons and are given many opportunities to learn vocabulary of other languages. Staff participate in group activities with enthusiasm. Staff record children's learning in each of the six areas of learning, evaluate and plan the next steps. The leadership and management of the day nursery is very good. The Manager who has only been in position for a short period has been particularly effective in developing a committed staff team who have a collaborative approach to their work. There is a rigorous system to monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching. Partnership with parents and carers is very good. Staff welcome parents and keep them well informed about the provision and their child. They hold regular Parents' evenings to inform parents of the progress their child is making.

p.5

What is being done well?

• Children's language is promoted by staff listening to children and asking them questions to make them think. Staff talk to the children continuously and are interested in what they have to say. • Relationships between staff, children and their parents are good. These positive relationships help children develop their confidence and self esteem and support their learning in all areas. Children are well behaved and share toys and resources. • Children's physical skills are promoted effectively through a stimulating range of indoor and outdoor activities. Children play on bikes, slides, balancing on beams and bounce on space hoppers in the garden and participate in puss 'n' flutes sessions where they sing songs and join in with action rhymes. • Children count confidently to ten and beyond. They use mathematical methods to solve practical problems and are developing an understanding of

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 early calcualtion through these practical activities.

p.5

What needs to be improved?

• the continuation of monitoring and evaluation of the quality of teaching • opportunities and challenges for older and more able children in creative development and knowledge and understanding of the world.

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: Very Good Children relate confidently to each other and adults. They are well behaved and share toys and resources. Children form good relationships with staff and show kindness and respect. Children receive praise and encouragement to encourage their self confidence and build their self -esteem. They co-operate well with each other and are developing their independence.

p.7

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children use language well to negotiate and express their ideas; they are confident at speaking. They interact and talk with each other and adults. They ask questions and show an awareness of the listener. Children are confident in recognising their name. They find their name cards with ease through looking at books and other resources are beginning to understand that print carries meaning.

p.7

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Several children are able to count to ten and beyond; they recognise numerals between one and nine. Children increase and extend their counting abilities through some staff using their initiative in everyday situations. Children develop an understanding of early calculation through practical activities and discussions.

p.7

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children talk confidently about events in their own lives and are becoming aware of other cultures and traditions. Children use resources and toys in everyday play opportunities to investigate. However, some children do not receive sufficient challenge from planned activities. Older and more able children do not always get sufficient extension or challenge relating to investigation and exploration of the world around them.

p.7

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children show good co-ordination and have a good sense of the space around them. They use small and large equipment on a regular basis increasing their competence and skills. Children are confident in their independent skills and show a good understanding of basic hygiene. Many children are confident in the use of pencils, pens and scissors to develop their manipulative and small muscle skills.

p.7

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

p.7

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children enjoy and participate well at music and movement group times. They express their ideas freely through some activities. They use their imagination through role-play. They enjoy and explore music. However, children miss opportunties to extend and develop their ideas fully through creative activities.

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

• increase challenges for older or more able children in investigation in knowledge and understanding of the world and to express themselves freely in creative development. • expand the monitoring and evaluation of the quality of teaching in all areas. 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