The Meadows Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 21/01/2005 Inspector Name Samantha Jayne Taylor

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name The Meadows Day Nursery Setting Address 79 Bells Lane Birmingham West Midlands B14 5QJ

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The partnership of Michelle Brain and Donna Barrett

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Michelle Brain and Donna Barrett Address Meadows Day Nursery 79 Bells Lane Kings Norton Birmingham B14 5QJ

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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 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.

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Information about the setting

The Meadows Day Nursery opened in 2001. The nursery operates from a converted detached house in the residential area of Brandwood, Kings Norton and consists of 6 play rooms on the ground and first floor. There are good commuter links into the centre of Birmingham and the nursery is situated near to Kings Norton train station. There are currently 60 children from 0-5 years on roll. This includes 14 funded 3-year olds and 1 funded 4-year-olds. The nursery opens 5 days a week all year round apart from bank holidays. Sessions are between the hours of 7:30 and 18:00 Monday to Friday. Children can attend for a variety of sessions. There are seven full time members of staff who work with the children,over three quarters hold early years qualifications. The setting receives support from a teacher/mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership(EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

The Meadows Day Nursery provides good quality care for children. The nursery is managed well with staff who are qualified, experienced and deployed effectively. Children are cared for in key groups in a main base play room and have access to other areas such as the library, soft play and dining area. Equipment and resources are in good condition and mostly are freely accessible. Staff development is encouraged through the induction and appraisal system. Documentation is maintained but some areas require updating including child protection, behaviour and medication. Safety is promoted through staff knowledge; policies and procedures are implemented throughout practice. Staff promote good health and hygiene practices. Staff consult with parents to meet children's individual diestary requirements with home cooked nutritious meals prepared on site which children both enjoy and look forward to! The nursery

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How good is the Day Care?

introduces different cultures and resources reflect positive imagery of ethnicity, gender and disability which are well used by children. The nursery aims to welcome

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and work with children who have special needs. Information is available to and shared with parents regarding child protection procedures but the policy requires an update of current information. Staff plan a range of stimulating activities which meet children's interest's both indoors and outdoors. Staff play with children and pay care and attention to their needs. Children enjoy the opportunity to explore investigative play in the creative areas including water, sand and art. Staff extend children's learning through discussion, questioning and praise. Children behave well and play well together. Partnership with parents is . Induction is effective and parents compliment daily communication. Parents express confidence in the provision, many complimenting

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How good is the Day Care?

the 'family atmosphere' provided. Children enjoy attending the setting with some who tell their parents that they do not want to go home!

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the manager agreed to provide evidence of planning prior to increasing numbers of children for a requested variation. The manager stated that this information was supplied and the variation was completed which increased the number of places for children. In addition the manager agreed to make sure the ground floor windows were safe so that no one could enter the premises. Access is now restricted. The third action was to ensure that the child protection policy complied with the local ACPC procedures. The policy was revised but current update of information is not complete.

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What is being done well?

• The environment is bright and welcoming, space is utilised well with opportunities for children to experience different learning environments. Pictures and resources are displayed at different levels enriching children's learning experiences, for example through touch. • Good leadership and management ensures that staff are knowledgeable in policies and procedures. • Staff are consistent, experienced and work well as a team. • Partnership with parents is excellent which promotes children's learning and development. • Care and attention is given to all age groups; staff know individual children well.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

Excellent parent partnership which reassures parents and encourages children's development and learning. Children enjoy attending the setting.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What needs to be improved?

• documentation including child protection and behaviour management policies • the format for recording medication.

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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 7 Revise the format used for recording medication. 14 Update the child protection and behaviour management policies with current information.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

The Meadows Day Nursery provides very good quality nursery education for children. Staff have secure knowledge in the Foundation Stage Curriculum. Children are making very good progress towards all areas of the Early Learning Goals and are actively involved in their learning.They have fun as they explore their learning environment. The quality of teaching is very good. The nursery is well resourced with different areas available for use including a dining area, library room and soft play area which are in addition to the main playroom and creative area. Staff encourage children to be self-sufficient in a variety of ways including self registration which assists children in developing positive self esteem. Children are challenged to try out new experiences, to question and to explain. Some children are able to predict for example during story telling sessions. Staff use aids or adapt activities to consolidate

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How effective is the nursery education?

children's learning, to hold their interest and meet developmental needs. Good behaviour is encouraged by staff who employ positive strategies and who act as good role models. The leadership and management of the setting is very good. The manager, who is also one of the registered persons works closely with the team, children and parents. Regular staff meetings are held and staff are supervised daily. Staff are consistent, qualified and experienced in Early Years and children are well supported in their learning. Planning is detailed with regular assessments of children's learning. Partnership with parents is very good. Staff have good relationships with parents and show knowledge of children's home and family circumstances. Parents are well informed about the nursery's activities and comment positively on their children's progress made together with the high quality care offered. Children bring items in

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How effective is the nursery education?

from home for activities such as the nature display and for discussion during 'circle time'.

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What is being done well?

• Children have positive self esteem, showing care and concern for others. • Staff provide a wide range of resources and activities which hold children's interest. • Children choose freely from art and craft materials in the creative area. This assists children in developing finer manipulative, gross motor and investigative skills. • Planning is detailed, includes learning intentions and is adapted to meet the developmental stages of children and patterns of attendance. • Children are skilled communicators encouraged by staff's interest and

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 engagement in activities; staff develop children's language for thinking through discussions and questions asked. • Staff know children well, are enthusiastic in their work and are good role models. • Partnership with parents is actively encouraged with parents readily expressing positive comments regarding the care and education offered.

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What needs to be improved?

• opportunities for children to further develop links with the community • the staff appraisal system.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Not applicable, as this is the first inspection.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children show good social skills by having regard for other children as they play. Children are confident and work well independently showing that they are keen to learn, quieter children are given time to express their ideas and needs. Children's behaviour is good. Children readily make connections between activities in nursery and home. Self-help skills are good and children develop confidence when completing tasks such as communicating the days menu to staff and self registering.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident communicators. The library area is enjoyed where children access books and consolidate their learning. Children listen well in a group situation. Some children write their own names when playing with magnetic letters and practise emergent writing. They draw their ideas which reflect changes and patterns in their drawings. Some children predict and recall both past and recent events. Children write lists as they take registration asking both staff and children to sign in!

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident in counting and some recognise numerals. Some children count 10 circles on their paintings and know the next number in the sequence. Children enjoy number rhymes and songs using fingers to count. They are using and developing mathematical ideas and methods to solve practical problems. Children learn about size, shape and capacity through a range of activities including water and sand play. They use spontaneous mathematical language such as empty/full during their play.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident with technological equipment including the use of computers and control of the mouse which they freely access. They discuss their families past, present and future events and relate information to their own, new and imagined experiences! Children learn of different festivals. They describe what they can see in the natural world including the movement of trees which they describe as 'waving'! Children bring items in from home to discuss during 'circle time'.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently outdoors, stopping and starting their tricycles. They are developing a good awareness of a healthy lifestyle and healthy foods including food tasting and food origin. Children talk of 'doing exercises' and use large and small actions to express themselves during action rhymes. Some attempt to hop! They use scissors to cut out along lines and create small shapes successfully. Some children thread successfully refining their skills as they are supported by staff.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children paint, draw and make constructions that reflect their own ideas. They play co-operatively and express their ideas through a range of mediums including water play. Children learn about feelings through stories and discussions relating and recalling past events. They talk of real and imagined experiences which they share with their friends who show interest and ask questions! Children develop their senses through many different activities of investigative play.

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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

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • further opportunities for children to develop links with the community • develop the written staff appraisal system. 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.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

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

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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; 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.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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