Aristotots Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 02/02/2004 Inspector Name Kelly Eyre

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Out of School Day Care, Full Day Care Setting Name Aristo-Tots Nursery Setting Address 57 Goldington Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 3LH

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Aristo-Tots Nursery Address 57 Goldington Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 3LH

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

Aristo-Tots Nursery opened in January 2001. It operates from a Victorian three storey building situated close to the town centre, on the edge of the Goldington area of Bedford. It serves Bedford and the wider neighbouring areas. There are currently 89 children from 6 weeks to 8 years on roll. This includes 16 funded 3 year olds and 6 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting is able to support children who have special needs and currently supports one child who speaks English as an additional language. The nursery opens five days a week all year round. Nursery opening times are from 07:30 to 19:30. The setting offers before and after school care for 5 to 8 year olds and these sessions are from 07:30 to 09:00 and 15:30 to 19:30. There is also a holiday club for this age group which is open daily from 07:30 to 19:30 during each school break. Fifteen full-time staff and one part-time member of staff work with the children. All

p.2

Information about the setting

full-time staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 3. The part-time staff member is currently working towards NVQ Level 3. The setting receives support from the Early Years and Childcare Partnership. The nursery promotes a Montessori influence within their educational ethos.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Aristo-Tots Nursery provides good quality care for children. The atmosphere is calm and welcoming, with children's work displayed and attention paid to creating a colourful, stimulating environment. Children are offered a wide selection of toys and resources, stored at child height, thus promoting their independence and decision-making skills. The use of space is well planned, with rooms adapted during the day to suit a wide range of needs. The nursery recognises that it is important for babies and children to get to know their carers in order to feel secure, and this is reflected in staff deployment. Much thought has been given to the grouping of children to ensure their emotional and developmental needs can be met. Staff plan a wide range of activities, linking these to the Foundation Stage Curriculum and also ensuring that children have fun while they are learning. The staff show their genuine affection for the children and are

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

skilled in helping them to extend their play and learning, encouraging them to think

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 and question. Children are treated as individuals and staff are keen to understand all needs, adapting activities and environment to enable children to participate. Children are encouraged to think about different cultures and ways of life and these are positively depicted in posters and resources. The children's welfare and safety are promoted through staff's continuous vigilance and effective policies and procedures. Children's behaviour is well managed, with staff taking a calm and consistent approach. Children are given lots of praise, thus building their self-esteem. Nursery management are pro-active, reviewing and developing policies and recruiting qualified staff. They foster good relationships with parents, keeping them informed through newsletters, communication books and parents' evenings. Parents

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

can therefore feel confident in the setting's ability to provide appropriate care for their child.

p.3

What has improved since the last inspection?

At their last inspection, the setting was asked to look at a number of issues relating to policies and procedures. They have reviewed a number of these, including the Equal Opportunities policy, the Operational Plan and the registration system, thus promoting the children's welfare and safety. They were asked to review some of their practice and procedures relating to health issues. These have been reviewed, with new practices implemented and staff training completed. These are well documented, ensuring that the children's health is promoted. The setting was asked to ensure they had appropriate resources and that these could be easily accessed. New resources were purchased and regular assessment ensures these are appropriate across all age groups. New storage was installed in each room and this is at child height so that children can access the toys and resources, promoting free choice and independence. The nursery was also

p.3

What has improved since the last inspection?

requested to review staff deployment. This is now included in the Operational Plan and management are pro-active in ensuring that staffing ratios are always maintained and qualified staff are recruited.

p.3

What is being done well?

• Planning in all areas is thorough and effective. This means that space is well used, staffing ratios are always correct and there is a sense of continuity, enabling the children to feel secure and promoting their safety. This planning is carried through to the provision of resources and activities, ensuring a wide range of needs are met. • Children are encouraged to explore their environment and to interact with their peers. Staff are skilled in asking open questions and helping children to extend their play experience. The children respond to this, learning to relate to each other and to adults. • Staff work hard to ensure that both parents and children feel welcome. There are various displays and notice boards for parents on each floor of the

p.3

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 nursery. Parents are given comprehensive information at the start of the placement and are kept well informed through regular newsletters, daily communication books, parent's evenings and chats with staff. This ensures they are able to check that their child's needs are being met and they can feel confident in staff's ability to provide appropriate care. • The children's safety is promoted through the staff's continuous vigilance. Sleeping children are monitored and checked every ten minutes. Daily risk assessments, with a major annual assessment and review, ensure that potential risks are identified and minimised. • Children are offered a well balanced diet of freshly prepared food, thus promoting their health and development. Staff take every possible step to ensure that they are aware of any special dietary requirements and that they

p.3

What is being done well?

have all the necessary information to be able to meet these. • All documentation is in place, is well organised and kept up to date, ensuring that children's welfare and safety is promoted and their individual needs are met. There are good procedures for sharing information with parents and staff have regard for confidentiality.

p.4

What needs to be improved?

• the procedure for obtaining parent's written permission for seeking emergency first aid • the complaints procedure needs to be updated to include Ofsted's contact details.

p.4

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 2 continue to review and develop policies and procedures

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 7 ensure that parent’s written permission is obtained for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment 12 ensure that the complaints procedure contains Ofsted’s contact details and that parents have access to this.

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.5

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

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

p.6

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.6

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

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

p.6

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

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

p.6

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.6

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.7

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.7

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.7

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.7

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.7