Castle Nurseries at Willow Avenue

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/02/2004 Inspector Name Julie, Anne Swan

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Willow Avenue Community Nursery Setting Address Greenway Fenham Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 9TU

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Willow Avenue Community Nursery Address Greenway Fenham Newcastle NE4 9TU

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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

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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. 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.

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Information about the setting

Willow Avenue Community Nursery has been registered with Ofsted since February 2002. It operates from a purpose-built building consisting of four group rooms, a communal area, an office and staff room, kitchen and laundry facilities. The nursery is situated on a residential housing estate close to the city centre of Newcastle upon Tyne. The nursery serves both the immediate and wider areas surrounding the city. The nursery is registered for a maximum of 53 children and there are currently 51 on roll. This includes seven funded three-year-olds and four four-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery supports children with special needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days for 51 weeks a year and is open from 08.00 until 18.00 each day. There is a manager, deputy and ten nursery officers who work full/part-time. All staff have early years qualifications and have opportunities to attend further relevant

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Information about the setting

training. There are also four support staff consisting of a cook and three domestics. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

Willow Avenue Community Nursery provides a good standard of care. The staff have a very high level of qualifications and a good and balanced range of experience. They have good understanding of the National Standards and supporting criteria and implement comprehensive policies and procedures reflective of these. The staff interact very well and warmly with children, are interested in what they say and recognise them as individuals. They manage children's behaviour well and the children respond positively. The staff are very well organised and clear in their responsibilities of meeting the children's needs. They demonstrate excellent team work. The environment is exceptionally warm, attractive and welcoming and high regard is given to ensuring the children's safety. There are well organised and consistent everyday routines for eating, resting, playing and going out, which help the children to feel secure and to

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How good is the Day Care?

look forward to their day. The staff have a high level of awareness of all risks to children's health and safety.

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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 The staff plan and provide a broad range of activities which develop children's knowledge and understanding; activities are presented in an interesting and thoughtful way. The children are interested and fully involved in activities, they are keen to communicate to their carers what they are doing and find things out for themselves. The children behave very well and are happy and settled in the nursery environment. Parents have strong partnership and trusting relationships with staff. Parents are welcomed into the nursery and differing needs are taken into account, such as those linked to their culture, language and work patterns. They are listened to and are well informed about the provision and their child's progress through regular daily discussion, reviews and written information. Parents are invited to contribute to

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What is being done well?

• The staff work well as a team and have excellent knowledge of the National Standards and the supporting criteria. They understand how to interpret them in the best interests of the children they care for. They implement policies and procedures which are fully understood and have a positive impact on the children, for example, the recruitment procedure ensures that only staff with at least a level three qualification are employed and the policy for providing a 1:2 ratio for babies under one year enhances the quality of care for babies. • The staff plan and provide a broad range of activities which develop children's knowledge and understanding. Activities are provided in an interesting and thoughtful way, for example, the younger children are able to free paint on a large wall-mounted perspex board. The children are fully challenged to use what they know and to learn more. • The staff manage children's behaviour well. They are calm, positive and

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What is being done well?

consistent in their approach. Children respond positively, they relate well to each other and are beginning to understand the consequences of unacceptable behaviour on others. • Parents share strong and trusting relationships with the staff. They are listened to and have their differing needs taken into account, such as those linked to their culture, language and work patterns. They are very well informed about the activities in the nursery and their child's progress. Parents are welcomed warmly into the nursery and are invited to contribute to activities.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

The staff are very well organised. They make the best use of their time and use space and resources imaginatively to create a stimulating, orderly and supportive environment for the children. The children are interested in their environment and

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 show confidence, independence and make good progress in all areas of their development.

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What needs to be improved?

• The continuation of the development of good practice.

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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 14 Continue to develop policies and procedures in line with current legislation to enhance and build on established good practice.

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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

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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 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

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