Inspection Report
Standard Inspection 2004/05
Service Name: Abbeytwo Day Nursery
Service Type: Day Care of Children
Title of Applicable Standards: Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16
Service Provider: Abbeytwo Day Nursery
Location: Central West
Date of Original Registration: 23/10/1998
Date of Inspection: 21/10/2004
Period since most recent Inspection: 9 months
Type of Inspection: Announced
Care Commission local office: 4th Floor, 1 Smithhills Street, Paisley. PA1 1EB
INTRODUCTION
Abbeytwo Nursery is currently registered for 93 children aged between birth to 15 years. The service operates within the area of Houston. The nursery is in partnership with Renfrewshire Council and offers pre-school and anti pre-school places for children.
The nursery has a statement of aims and objectives which was displayed with the entrance.
BASIS OF REPORT
The Inspection was undertaken on 21st October 2004 between the hours of 9.00am and 2pm. It was an announced inspection conducted by two Care Commission Officers. The report was based on observations and discussions with the manager, staff and on written information provided by the manager.
The Inspection focused on the requirements of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 as well as the National Care Standards for Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16 years. The specific standard selected for this year's Inspection were as follows:
Standard 3 : Health and Well-being
Standard 8 : Equality and Fairness
Standard 11 : Access to Resources
Standard 13 : Improving the Service
ACTION TAKEN ON REQUIREMENTS IN LAST INSPECTION REPORTS
There no requirements detailed in the last Inspection report.
COMMENT ON SELF-EVALUATION
The self evaluation document was completed and returned within the set timescale. This was completed by the manager with input from the staff. The manager had used the National Care Standards for children up to the age of 16 to evaluate the service.
VIEWS OF SERVICE USERS
The children within the service were happy and confident within the service. It was apparent good relationships with staff had been forged.
Some of the comments from children were as follows:-
"I like nursery because it is fun"
"Toys make me happy because I like them"
"I like to play with the musical instruments"
"Staff make me happy"
"I like my friends at nursery"
"I think the ladies are happy at nursery"
"I like snack"
"Nursery makes me happy because it makes me laugh"
"I feel happy because I am at nursery"
VIEWS OF CARERS
6 parental questionnaires were returned and parents were overall very happy with service provided.
Care Commission Officers spoke to some parents on the day of the Inspection and they confirmed they were very happy with the service being provided.
National Care Standards
Early Education and Child care up to the age of 16 -
Health and Wellbeing
Each child or young person will be nurtured by staff who will promote his or her general wellbeing, health, nutrition and safety.
Strengths
Communication with parents and children was observed. Parents were kept informed of issues regarding their children through verbal communication information sheets on a daily basis. A newsletter was available and given to all parents regularly and a notice board is also available.
The nursery has a key worker system where staff builds positive relationships with parents/carers and share information discussing children's needs and progress.
A Child Protection Policy and procedure was available. The manager and staff showed an understanding of their responsibilities regarding the protection of children, this policy and procedure was discussed regularly within staff meetings.
A behaviour management policy was available and staff was given support and training within this area.
Health and safety risk assessments were carried out and recorded regularly which included outings.
All accidents and incidents were recorded appropriately.
Healthy eating was promoted within the service and a variety of snacks were provided. The service promotes healthy living through displays, activities and topic work. Lunches were provided by parents/carers. Lunch time within the service was a social occasion where children sat in small groups with their peers and enjoyed the experience.
An appropriate medication policy and procedure was available.
Outdoor play activities are encouraged on a regular basis through the use of the outdoor play areas or local outings. The service also makes appropriate use of the scout hall nearby the service to offer children an indoor physical experience. The opportunity to participate in rest and enjoy quieter activities indoors was also part of the service's routine. Young children are given opportunities to sleep within an appropriate environment.
Designated staff has responsibility for First Aid within the nursery.
Areas for development:
There were no areas for development identified within this standard.
Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16-
Equality and Fairness
You will be treated equally and fairly.
Strengths
The children were observed to be treated with respect and fairness. The staff discussed meeting individual children's needs.
The Aims and Objectives of the service were displayed within the notice board at the hall area within the service. The service available to the children reflected the stated aims and objectives.
The service encourages parental involvement with staff supporting parents in their child's development offering support and advice. Children's profiles are kept up to date to share with individual parents.
Strong links have been formed with parents/carers and other agencies.
Equal Opportunities. Race Equality and Whistle Blowing Policies were available to staff and parents.
Areas for development:
There were no areas for improvement identified within this standard.
Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16-
Access to Resources
Each child or young person has access to a sufficient and suitable range of resources.
Strengths
The children had access to a variety of resources which included multi-cultural materials. The resources are available to match the children's age and stage of development. Children were able to choose activities themselves or work in partnership with their peers.
The nursery ensure that during forward planning the staff check adequate resources and equipment is available to develop each theme to its full potential. The equipment is checked and cleaned regularly. Resource lists are maintained.
The children's work and photographs were attractively displayed throughout the playrooms and these were updated regularly to reflect all children attending the service. The entrance hall had a selection of displays and items of interest to provide information for parents/carers.
Appropriate resources to support children's knowledge of technology were available.
On the day of inspection children participated in a variety of activities which were suitable to their ages and stages of development.
Opportunities ere available for children to take part in local outings and enjoy the enclosed outdoor play areas.
Areas for development:
There were no areas for development identified within this standard.
Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16
Improving the Service
You can be confident that the service will evaluate what it does and make improvements.
Strengths
A positive approach to the further development of the service was displayed by the manager. The staff were regularly consulted and encouraged to offer ideas within the service.
Parents were overall very happy with the service provided.
Information is gathered from parents and other users through the suggestion box and parental and staff questionnaires.
Staff meetings, room meetings and professional review meetings were available for each staff member.
Staff within the service confirmed that they have opportunities for training. Within the next year a variety of training is planned including both formal and informal training being offered to all staff. All staff felt supported within the service from the manager. Staff development files were available to record individual staff training needs and achievements.
A comprehensive development plan was in place identifying future improvements within the service.
The manager and proprietor were keen to maintain and improve the quality of the service offered to all children and parents. The manager evaluated the service in consultation with the staff with the guidance from the National Care Standards for children up to the age of 16 years.
Areas for development:
There were no areas for development identified within this standard.
Enforcement
There is no current enforcement action.
Other Issues
All Health and Safety risk assessments carried out within the service should be signed and dated by staff.
Recommendations
A recommendation is a statement setting out proposed actions to be taken by the service provider aimed at improving the quality of service (based on good practice and professional judgement) but which would not be subject to enforcement action if not actioned.
There were no recommendations made.
Requirements
A requirement is a statement setting out an enforceable action required of a service provider in order that the service comply with current legislation, usually within a specific timescale.
There were no requirements made.
Mandy Ross
Care Commission Officer
Signed Mandy Ross Date 26/10/04
