The Oxford Nursery Summertown

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 05/01/2005 Inspector Name Carole Tyrrell

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Acacia Care and Education Setting Address Marston Ferry Road Summertown Oxford Oxfordshire OX2 7EE

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Acacia Care and Education Ltd. 4148697

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Acacia Care and Education Ltd. Address 34 Bertie Road Cumnor Oxford Oxfordshire OX2 9PS

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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

Acacia Care and Education is one of two nurseries run by Acacia Care and Education Ltd and opened in 2003. It operates from three rooms in a purpose built building. It is situated in an area close to local schools in the city of Oxford. A maximum of 44 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each week day from 08.00 to 18.00 for 52 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 72 children aged under 8 years on roll. Of these 7 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchment area, as most of their parents travel in to work on or around the local area. The nursery currently supports a number of children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 12 staff. Eight of the staff, including the two mangers hold appropriate early years qualifications. Four staff are working towards a qualification.

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How good is the Day Care?

Acacia Care and Education provides good quality care for children within a stimulating, warm and welcoming environment. Staff are active in improving their skills by attending courses to update their knowledge and care of children. They work well together as a team and daily plans are clear about what children are intended to learn from activities. This helps staff to use the opportunities presented to increase children's learning. Most documentation is in place and there are plans to up-date information to parents on nursery policies. Risk assessments are in place and they continually need to be up-dated to safeguard children. Children wash their hands before eating and after toileting so they learn good hygiene practices. Healthy snacks, fresh drinking water and children's special diets/allergies are catered for so children are kept healthy. They learn about their local community from visitors and walks, and of other countries by

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How good is the Day Care?

experiencing their customs. This helps children value each other. A key worker system is being developed to ensure that staff have good knowledge of individual children. There are effective procedures to protect children from abuse. Staff are caring, thoughtful and relate well to children and adults to ensure individual children's needs are well met. Lots of fun ideas are presented to children within a

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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 stimulating environment so they are kept interested Children are well behaved as staff use praise to encourage children to learn right from wrong. The nursery has many special areas of interest and staff provide a balanced range of adult led activities and opportunities for children to initiate their own activities. Parents are made welcome in the group and are invited to social events and open evenings; they receive comprehensive information about the progress their children are making. Parents are given ideas about how to help their children, and invited to share what they know about their children.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the last inspection of nursery education, staff now record children's incidental experiences to enhance staff and parents' insight into their progress so that plans can more accurately reflect each child's individual needs.

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What is being done well?

• The environment is stimulating to children with interesting and fun areas to stimulate children to explore their environment. Staff have ingeniously extended the range of experiences available to children by providing a sensory corner with colourful materials using all young children's senses. It is highly interactive so that children can sit in the centre of this area and wonder, touch, hear, smell and see exciting mobiles, toys. The nursery has many special areas of interest and interesting displays. • Staff are extremely caring and thoughtful and relate well to children and adults to ensure individual children's needs are well met. Staff present lots of ideas and children are full of self confidence. Staff are constantly reviewing their work e.g. records of children's progress are clear so that staff have good information to inform daily plans about what children are intended to learn from activities, which helps staff to use the opportunities presented.

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What is being done well?

• Parents are made welcome in the group and are invited to social events and open evenings; they receive information about the progress their children are making. Parents are given ideas about how to help their children make progress, and invited to share what they know about their children. • Children learn about their local community from visitors and walks to the garden centre, and local shops; they learn about other countries by experiencing other customs. A key worker system is being developed to ensure that staff have good knowledge of individual children • Children are well behaved as staff use praise and encourage to build their confidence and help them to develop independence. • Staff are active in improving their skills by attending courses to update their knowledge and care of children. They work well together as a team.

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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 • written risk assessments, continue to review and extend safety to include all hazards, i.e. from other people/toys • fire drill records, so that it is easier to identify if all children are involved

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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 6 continue to review and extend written risk assessments to include all hazards, i.e. from other people

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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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