Footsteps Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 22/04/2004 Inspector Name Sally Lamb

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Footsteps Day Nursery Setting Address Edward Spencer House 221-223 Old Shoreham Road, Portslade Brighton East Sussex BN41 1XR

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

Footsteps Day Nursery opened in March 2003. It operates from self contained and purpose converted premises above a Doctors Practice, next to Portslade Library in Old Shoreham Road, Portslade. The three playrooms, children's toilets, kitchen and staff room are located on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden and covered area for outdoor play. Registered to care for 26 children aged from one year to five years, the nursery is open Monday to Friday 8:00 to 18:00 throughout the year, except bank holidays. There are currently 50 children on roll who attend a variety of sessions, including 16 funded three-year-olds and five funded four-year-olds. Some children attend for whom English is an additional language and the nursery currently supports children with identified special needs. Including the joint managers there are seven staff working with the children, four of whom hold a recognised childcare

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Information about the setting

qualification and one who is undertaking an NVQ. The nursery receives support from the local Early Years Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

The quality and standard of care is satisfactory. Staff provide a clean, bright and welcoming environment where children feel happy and secure. An operational plan guides staff in their daily practice and all the required documents are kept. Staff have good opportunities for training and there are effective arrangements to ensure staff are aware of child protection issues. Health and safety is generally promoted satisfactorily, however lacks attention in some areas. Staff plan a range of interesting activities that help children's development and learning in all areas and there are daily routines for outdoor play, mealtimes and for rest. Children have access a range of good quality toys, books and equipment, but there are limited opportunities for the younger children to explore natural materials. Staff build caring relationships with children and know them well, but do not always offer sufficient support and guidance particularly during free play sessions. Although

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How good is the Day Care?

space is organised to meet requirements, opportunities are sometimes missed to use all three playrooms and the resources creatively. Partnership with parents is good and staff share useful information about the children's progress and the day's 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 Not applicable.

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What is being done well?

• Staff work in partnership with parents and have useful formal and informal systems for exchanging information on a daily basis. • Staff make good use of external resources, for example the Early Childhood Project and SEAL, to provide a wide range of books and play materials that reflect the cultural and linguistic background of children attending the nursery. • Children are provided with a variety of healthy and nutritious snacks. • Children enjoy weekly French lessons from a specialist teacher. • Staff show a strong commitment to attending training to assist them in caring for the children. Training has been particularly effective in raising staff's awareness of child protection issues.

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What needs to be improved?

• the level of staff interaction with children, so that it gives greater emphasis to supporting and encouraging purposeful play, children's language, imagination and creativity; • the use of available space; • the range of natural materials, for example for heuristic play; • arrangements for effectively preventing unwanted visitors on the premises; • some aspects of storage and hygiene.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Std Recommendation 3 Increase staff’s understanding and skills in supporting children’s play through appropriate interactions and intervention. 4 Review how space can be used appropriately and creatively to meet the needs of all children. 5 Increase the range of natural materials, for example for heuristic play. 6 Ensure plans and procedures are effective in identifying and reducing risks to include hazards both indoors and out, and consider how you might effectively prevent unwanted visitors on the premises. 7 Ensure that the use of preparations such as nappy creams, are for the sole use of individual children.

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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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