Sir Bernard Lovell School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 04/02/2005 Inspector Name Lisa Toole

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Micklefield Nursery School Setting Address Sutton Avenue Seaford East Sussex BN25 4LP

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Micklefield Nursery School

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Micklefield Nursery School Address Sutton Avenue Seaford East Sussex BN25 4LB

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

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. 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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Micklefield Nursery School has been registered since 1996 and provides full day care. It is run by a board of governors of the Micklefield School (Seaford) Educational trust Ltd and operates from three play rooms in a purpose-built building, in a residential area of Seaford, East Sussex. The group serves the local community. A maximum of 60 children may attend the nursery at any one time. It is open from 08.30 to 15.00 hours, Monday to Friday, 41 weeks of the year. There are currently 105 children aged from two years six months to under eight years on roll. Of these 69 children receive funding for nursery education. The nursery currently supports children with special educational needs. The nursery employs 16 staff. Ten of the staff hold appropriate early years qualifications.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Micklefield Nursery School provides good quality care for children. A warm and welcoming environment is provided for children and parents. It is bright, clean and well maintained. There are sufficient staff and they work well as a team. However, the recruitment policy does not make reference to the need for health checks to be carried out. There is an extensive range of toys and equipment, including those to promote equal opportunities. Most documentation is in place and is stored securely. However, some lack sufficient detail especially those relating to some of the policies. The register and medication record are also not accurately maintained. Staff have a good understanding of health and safety issues, regular risk assessments are carried out and security of the premises is good. Staff encourage good hygiene practices with the children and act in a child's best interests if they become ill. Children are provided with nutritious snacks and meals but there is no

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

hot meal provision to cater for vegetarian or alternative diets. Staff work with parents to meet children's individual needs. The person in charge is the only staff member to have attended any special educational needs training. Staff have a good understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and they have attended child protection training. A wide range of well planned activities is provided to support development in all areas of learning and children are interested, motivated and participate with

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 enthusiasm. Staff have a clear and consistent approach to behaviour management and use lots of praise and encouragement. The partnership with parents is good. Parents receive regular feedback about their child and they comment that they are very happy with the care their child receives.

p.2

What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provider agreed to produce and implement numerous policies relating to the practices of the nursery, including a lost child and uncollected child policy. Some policies continue to lack sufficient detail, but all required policies are now in place. The register of attendance also continues to lack sufficient detail. The provider was also asked to draw up an action plan relating to minimum qualified staffing ratios.The minimum qualified staffing ratios are maintained and staff attend regular training courses to update their knowledge and skills.

p.3

What is being done well?

• A bright, warm and welcoming environment is provided for children and parents and there are many displays of children's work around the nursery. Staff make good use of the space, both in and outdoors, to enable the children to play, move freely and self-select activities. • There is an extensive range of toys and equipment. The equipment is of a good quality, well maintained and easily accessible to children. Good use is made of natural and everyday objects and children enjoy playing with the resources available to them. • A wide range of well planned activities is provided to support children's learning and development in all areas. Children are interested, motivated and participate with enthusiasm. Staff interact well with the children, listening to what they have to say and responding appropriately. • The partnership with parents is good. Opportunities are provided for parents to discuss their child's progress and regular feedback is given to them.

p.3

What is being done well?

Parents comment that they are very happy with the care their child receives.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the knowledge and understanding of special educational needs so that all children's needs can be effectively met • the provision of meals to ensure that all dietary requirements are appropriately catered for • the documentation relating to the recruitment, medication, sick child and admissions policies; the register, the complaints procedures; and the fire drill record so that all contain sufficient detail and are accurately maintained.

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

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 10 Increase staff's knowledge and understanding of special educational needs and the Code of Practice. 14 Review and update all policies and documentation to ensure they detail the required information and are accurately maintained. 8 Review the provision of meals to ensure that children's dietary needs are inclusively catered for.

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

p.4

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

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

p.5

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.5

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.5

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.5

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.5

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.5

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.5

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.5

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

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

p.5

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

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

p.5

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.

p.5

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.6

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

p.6