Ladybirds Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 02/12/2003 Inspector Name Karen Molloy

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Ladybirds Nursery Ltd Setting Address Birch Centre, Hill End Lane St. Albans Hertfordshire AL4 0RA

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Ladybirds Nursery Ltd Address Birch Centre Hill End Lane St. Albans Hertfordshire AL4 0RA

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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

Ladybirds Nursery operates from the Birch Centre on the Highfield Park Estate in St. Albans. The building is leased from the Highfield Park Trust and the nursery have sole use, with nearby parking. The group were registered in January 2003 and established a baby unit in November this year. The nursery is now able to care for children from 0 to under 5 years from 8:00 to 18:00. The pre school is open term time only and the baby unit operates all year round. Children can attend on a full time or part time basis. The nursery is jointly owned and managed. Both owners are qualified experienced early years teachers. There is staff team of 15 who are all appropriately qualified, with 2 staff currently undertaking a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 2. The nursery is in receipt of nursery education funding.

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How good is the Day Care?

Ladybirds Nursery provides good quality care for children. There is a high proportion of qualified and/or experienced staff, who keep up to date with current practice by attending regular training events. The provision is warm and welcoming and the systems, planning and routine underpin the day to day running of the nursery. The excellent documentation includes all relevant information and relates very much to everyday practice. The safety and care of the children is of a high priority to the staff with visitors clearly monitored and a secure door entry system in place. Staff ensure that detail is paid to the children's individual needs for sleeping, feeding and hygiene. Children bring in their own lunch and the nursery provides snacks, drinks and baby feeds, with any specific dietary requirements recorded. A separate sleep room enables young children and babies to have undisturbed sleep and there are good hygiene practices

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How good is the Day Care?

in place. Staff are aware of child protection procedures. The range and quality of resources is good and covers all areas of the children's learning and development. Resources are of a high quality and low storage allows

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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 children easy access to materials and encourages them to make independent choices. Wall displays are attractive and reflect the children's own work. Comfortable seating at the end of the day will help children to relax. Staff interact positively with the children and young babies. Staff offer support and reassurance and are interested in what the children say. Staff spend time with young babies, playing, talking and holding them. Staff are proactive and work with parents to integrate and support any children with Special Educational Needs. Partnership with parents is good. Staff communicate and share information with parents in a variety of ways. Parent questionnaires and parents spoken to on the day of the inspection offer very positive feedback.

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What is being done well?

• Staff organise the provision effectively with good use made of staff, space and resources. All areas of development are covered, with clearly defined areas for the children to play, sleep and eat in. The routine enables the children to take part in small group times, to make independent play choices and to move freely between the indoors and outside area . (Standard 2 and 3) • Staff provide a broad range of stimulating activities (inside and out of the nursery) and high quality resources for the children, that are appropriate to their differing ages and stages of development. Children are busy, happy and interested in their chosen area of play. (Standard 3) • Staff interact with the children in a calm and positive manner. Children are listened to and their questions answered. Questions are asked to develop children's thinking and explanations given to increase their knowledge, (Standard 3) • Staff place high priority on children's safety and security. Potential hazards

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What is being done well?

have been identified and addressed and there are policies and procedures in place to reinforce everyday practice. (Standard 6) • Staff strive to meet individual needs. They gain a great deal of information about the children prior to them attending nursery. A high number of qualified staff and an effective key worker system help staff and families to get to know each other well. (Standard 9) • Staff have an effective partnership with parents and communicate with them in a variety of ways, including; newsletters, daily charts, parents evenings and a 'stepping stones' folder, detailing children's development.

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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 Parents/carers are kept well informed and have the opportunity to share information with staff. • Feedback from parent questionnaires is very positive. (Standard 12)

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What needs to be improved?

• suitable seating, where the children can relax. (Standard 5)

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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 5 Consideration could be given to suitable seating in order to enhance the areas for the children to relax.

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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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