Lindfield Pre-School Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/12/2003 Inspector Name Jane Plested

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Lindfield Setting Address Chiltern Youth Club Chiltern Avenue Buckinghamshire HP6 5AE

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Lindfield Address Chiltern Youth Club Chiltern Avenue Buckinghamshire HP6 5AE

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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

Lindfield Pre-school Nursery has been open for over 27 years. It operates from the Chiltern Youth Club in Amersham-on-the-Hill. The premises comprise a central area from which three nursery rooms, the kitchen, toilets and store room are entered. There is an enclosed outside and garden area. There are currently 61 children from two to four years on the roll. This includes 41 funded three-year-olds and 8 funded four-year-olds. Children attend a variety of sessions. The setting currently is not supporting any children who speak English as an additional language, but a number of children have designated special needs. The nursery school opens five days a week during school term time. The nursery is open from 08:30 until 15:45. The sessions are sub-divided into morning, lunch and afternoon groupings. The children attend for a variety of sessions. An additional group for toddlers is open on Wednesday mornings only from 10:00 until 11:45 for

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Information about the setting

parents and children from 18 months to 3 years. There are 11 staff who work with the children. The leader and three other staff members hold early years qualifications to level three and another holds a level two qualification. Two other staff are working toward relevant early years qualifications at level two or three. The nursery is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PSLA). The setting receives support from a local teacher and mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

Lindfield Pre-school Nursery provides good quality care for children. The staff attend and value training. Roles are well defined; these ensure the staff are able to support the children's play and learning and assist in their care. The key worker system is well organised. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure the staff have a consistent approach to their work. However, the complaints policy is not fully up to date. The premises are well laid out; there are good displays and the staff use the space well. The staff have a good understanding of safety issues; the majority of hazards have been identified. However, the daily safety check-list does not cover all areas of the setting. The nursery is effective in promoting the children's good health. Drinks and meals promote a healthy diet. The staff are confident in their role in the protection of

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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 children, but there is no detailed procedure for the management of an allegation of abuse made against a member of staff.

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How good is the Day Care?

The nursery provides an exciting range of activities and play materials for the children both inside and outdoors. Imaginative and role-play is given a high priority in the nursery, as is the opportunity to learn about the natural world. The staff are skilful in managing children's behaviour. The nursery offers an excellent range of opportunities that help children learn about and understand diversity. The staff know the children well and the records are used appropriately. The nursery has some effective systems for developing good partnerships with parents and carers. The setting provides parents with helpful information via a number of sources. Parents also have access to all the setting's policies and procedures and are invited to participate in their children's care and learning. Parents feel well informed about their child's progress and value the setting and the staff highly.

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What is being done well?

• High priority is given to staff development and training by the management. Each member of staff attends at least two training opportunities a year and the setting has developed effective strategies to share knowledge with colleagues. • Staff have ownership of their key worker groups. This helps them to establish good relationships with children and their parents, and identify, plan for, and meet individual children's needs. • Imaginative and role-play is very well provided for in the nursery. Opportunities are taken to combine this with real life experiences, for example fire or police officers visit the setting. The staff lead exciting imaginative play experiences that the children enjoy, such as a sleigh ride with Santa that captivates the children well and is used effectively to develop children's learning in a number of areas. • The staff ensure that the nursery is welcoming and parents and children are

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What is being done well?

greeted on arrival. There are displays of the children's work and of positive images. The rooms are set out to promote children's learning and the wide range of toys and equipment are accessible for the children. The setting makes daily use of the outside area across the curriculum. • The staff interact well with the children; they encourage the children to achieve. The children respond well to the clear guidance and praise given by staff. The children eagerly take part in all the activities. The staff keep useful observational records; there are procedures in place to raise any concerns about changes in behaviour with parents.

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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 • The setting has some effective systems for developing good partnerships with parents. They are given access to all the policies and procedures, newsletters are provided that detail events, and a notice board and table provide an additional area for information, for example the daily timetable, staff photograph's and detail on how parents may support the setting further. There is a comprehensive information pack for new parents.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

The nursery provides children with excellent opportunities to learn about diversity. There is a wealth of toys and resources that help children learn about other countries and cultures that are integrated successfully within the other resources. Parents and staff are encouraged to share their knowledge of different ways of life and festivals. Displays, posters and books promote an understanding of differences. The children are encouraged to participate in learning about different parts of the world, by taking Travel Bear away with them and sending a card from their destination. This is kept in an album and shared with the children by the staff. (Standard 9)

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What needs to be improved?

• safety checks and risk assessments, to broaden the daily check-list and further develop written records that demonstrate how and when health and safety is reviewed in the setting. • policies and procedures, so that the complaints policy makes clear Ofsted's role as the regulator and provides details on how parents may contact Ofsted, and the child protection policy is revised to set out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff or a volunteer working in the nursery.

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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 13 Develop further the complaints procedure to explain Ofsted’s role and provide contact details, and revise the child protection policy to set out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against a member of staff or volunteer.

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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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