Sutton-On-Trent Primary and Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 19/05/2004 Inspector Name Beverley Jane Bruno

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Abinger Common Nursery Setting Address The Evelyn Hall Abinger Lane, Abinger Common Dorking Surrey RH5 6HZ

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Abinger Common Nursery

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Abinger Common Nursery Address The Evelyn Hall Abinger Common Dorking Surrey RH5 6HZ

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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

Abinger Common Nursery is committee run. The nursery operates from two rooms within The Evelyn Hall, Abinger Common. The nursery is registered to provide 18 places for children aged 2-5 years. It is open Monday - Friday, term time, from 08:45 to 12:15. The nursery serves the local area. Children can attend a variety of days each week. There are five staff in total. Four have early years qualifications and training in first aid. Teaching is mainstream with children following a set routine of free play, structured activities and group/story times and social times. The outdoor area is used daily to provide a further range of activities.

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How good is the Day Care?

Abinger Common Nursery provides good quality care. Staff work hard to organise the hall to provide a warm, comfortable and cheerful environment for children to access and use. Children are able to access an excellent selection of prepared activities and free play toys. The staff, whose qualifications and experience, support the needs of the children, ensure they are appropriately deployed and on task. The documentation and records in use are appropriate to the type of provision with one exception. There is no policy and procedure in the event of a child becoming lost. The staff ensure that identified hazards to children both inside and outside of the provision are minimised. There are potential hazards to children in the make-shift barrier device preventing access to the outside maintenance area. There are potential hazards in this area itself. Staff are very knowledgeable on issues relating to children's health and dietary requirements. Their sound work practices ensure that

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How good is the Day Care?

children are fully included and supported. This is also the case in the care of children with special educational needs. Staff have a good working knowledge of how to protect children from child abuse. Children have access to a balanced mix of care routines and activities that meet their group and individual needs. Staff effectively use a wide range of appropriate strategies to promote positive behaviour in children. Staff are fully committed to and value the promoting of partnerships with parents and carers of the children they care for. They feedback to parents at the end of sessions and in other formats during the year. Comprehensive information keeps parents well informed.

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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

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What is being done well?

• The Supervisor has a good leadership style, understanding the value of delegating responsibilities to foster a sense of 'ownership' amongst staff whilst at the same time retaining overall control. She also provides strong but appropriate leadership for the children. • Staff operate as a cohesive, efficient, courteous, team as they support the children, the Supervisor and each other in the preparation, resourcing and delivery of activities and care routines. They are committed to further training. • Children have access to a welcoming cosy environment. Staff work hard on a daily basis, to make the activity room inviting and stimulating, with the imaginative use of partitioning, and rotation of toys and equipment all of which have to be put away at the end of some sessions. • Children enjoy the range of nutritious snacks made available. They are offered a drink and a sandwich made on a daily basis by one of the children,

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What is being done well?

who is sandwich monitor for the day. • Children behave appropriately through the use of an effective and unusual selection of age appropriate strategies. Staff have been on courses to gather further ideas for behaviour strategies. They are looking for more such courses. • Parents are provided with considerable amounts of information about the provision and how their children are progressing. They are actively invited to participate in the running of it as committee members, parent helpers or in undertaking chores such as outside play area maintenance.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

There is clear and comprehensive planning and a process for extending children within the activities, which cover the age range registered for. Base line assessments from parents provide part of the initial input on children's development. Children access and use a comprehensive range of structured and child centred activities, which are supported by an excellent selection of toys, equipment and resources. Staff manage the sessions, resources and their interactions with the children in such a way as to effectively maximise the opportunities for learning. For example in the theme of nature and how things grow, children have free opportunities to observe snail behaviour in an indoor controlled environment, and are involved in growing their own flowers from seed. Staff also look for ways they can encourage children's independence and build self-esteem. Children are involved in the preparation of the sandwiches for the mid morning snack. They take turns to

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

look after the guinea pigs during the holidays. There are specific exercises to help prepare children for clothes changing at PE times once they go to school, and the equipment/toys storage units are child centred which provides good opportunities for free choice.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• the method for documenting the policy and procedure in the case of lost children • the method for ensuring children are unable to access the maintenance/storage area to the side of the hall and the nursery's shed.

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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 2 Construct a written policy and procedure document concerning lost children. 6 Make the barrier device to the outside play area safe and secure, to ensure the maintenance/storage area is inaccessible to 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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