| URN EY243053 |
| DfES Number: 541673 |
| INSPECTION DETAILS | |
| Inspection Date | 18/10/2004 |
| Inspector Name | Julie Neal |
| SETTING DETAILS | |
| Day Care Type | Full Day Care |
| Setting Name | Thorne Manor Day Nursery |
| Setting Address | Thorne Manor Holsworthy Devon EX22 7JD |
| REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS | |
| Name | Mrs Angela Plank |
| ABOUT THE INSPECTION |
|
The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality and standard of day care in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan. |
| Information about the setting |
| Thorne Manor Day Nursery is privately owned. It
serves parents and children from Holsworthy, Bude, and the surrounding
area. It operates from a converted single storey building in the grounds
of Thorne Manor Farm and Holiday Complex. The accommodation is on one
level and is fully accessible. Children have access to an open plan play
room, with separate areas for differing age groups and various activities.
The nursery also has a fully enclosed garden and play area. The nursery opened early in 2004 and is registered to care for 26 children aged under five years, of these, only six may be under two years at any one time. There are currently 53 children on the roll, of which ten are funded three- and four-year-olds. The nursery is currently supporting children with special needs. There are no children for whom English is an additional language attending at present. The nursery is open from 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. There are eight members of staff, including the proprietor and nursery manager. Seven members of staff have level three early years qualifications, and the proprietor is a registered general nurse. In addition the nursery manager is working towards a level four management qualification. The provision has received support form the EYDCP. . |
| How good is the Day Care? |
| Thorne Manor Day Nursery provides good quality
care for children. The nursery is very welcoming and child friendly. It is
well organised, with good adult-to-child ratios, and staff implement the
operational plan and related procedures well. Children take part in a good range of activities that promote learning and development in all areas. These are age appropriate and provide challenge and stimulation for all children. Very good use is made of the farm environment and outdoor areas. There is an appropriate range of resources, including a variety that reflect cultural diversity, and these are generally used well in activities. However, choices in some areas are limited. Staff show very good knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues. They are very inclusive and value individual children highly. Children with special needs are given excellent support. Staff interact well with children, they are positive and encouraging. Behaviour is managed well and consistently, with children showing understanding of expectations and ground rules. Staff show a high regard for the safety of children, with good systems in place to ensure the provision is safe and secure. There are good systems in place to maintain health and hygiene, and children are learning personal hygiene routines well. Parents are made welcome in the setting. They receive good quality information about the provision, the curriculum, their child's activities and routines. There are good systems in place to ensure parents are kept informed of their children's progress. All documentation is clear and well maintained and shared appropriately with parents. |
| What has improved since the last inspection? |
| Not applicable. |
| What is being done well? |
|
| What needs to be improved? |
|
| Previous Complaints (This section applies only to inspections carried out from September 2004. The complaint record relates to complaints from the last inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.) |
|
Since April 2004 Ofsed has not received any complaints about this provider. |
| Outcome of the inspection |
|
Good |
| 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. |
| WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NEXT? |
| The Registered Person should have regard to the following recommendations by the time of the next inspection | |
| Std | Recommendation |
| 5 | Develop range of resources supporting ICT and role play activities and ensure that children are able to freely self select resources in their play. |
| INSPECTION OF THE NURSERY EDUCATION PROVISION FOR FUNDED THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLDS. |
| How effective is the nursery education? |
| Thorne Manor Day Nursery provides good quality
nursery education. Children are making very good progress towards the
early learning goals in mathematical development, knowledge and
understanding of the world, and physical development. Children are making
generally good progress towards the early learning goals in personal,
social and emotional development, communication language and literacy, and
creative development. Teaching of the children is generally good. Staff show good knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals and stepping stones. Planning makes clear links to each of the six areas of learning, however some aspects of learning are not receiving balanced coverage. Staff have developed effective systems of observation and use assessments of progress to plan the next steps for individual children. Staff regularly evaluate the effectiveness of activities in achieving learning objectives, and these are also used effectively in the planning process. Use of time and resources is generally effective, however children have limited access to resources in some areas. Support for children with special needs is very good, with staff working closely with external agencies to ensure individual needs are met. Individual education plans for children with special needs are clear and focused. Behaviour is managed well and consistently, with staff being positive and supportive. Leadership and management of the setting is generally good. The staff team are well qualified, committed, and enthusiastic. There are appropriate processes in place to enable the setting to evaluate its strengths and areas for improvement, and these are under development. Partnership with parents is very good. There are very good systems in place to keep parents informed about the provision, the curriculum, and their children's progress. Staff develop good relationships with parents and encourage them to become involved with their children's learning. |
| What is being done well? |
|
| What needs to be improved? |
|
| What has improved since the last inspection? |
|
Not applicable. |
| SUMMARY OF JUDGEMENTS |
| PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT | |
| Judgement: | Generally Good |
| Children demonstrate high levels of confidence and self esteem. They work well together, and are developing good relationships with each other and with adults. Behaviour is good, with children showing clear understanding of ground rules and routines. Children concentrate well and persist well with activities. They are developing appropriate personal independence skills, however opportunities to self select resources in their play are limited. | |
| COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY | |
| Judgement: | Generally Good |
| Children interact confidently with each other and with adults. They are developing a good understanding of print having meaning, they select books independently and handle them well. Children are linking sounds and letters well. They are developing good handwriting skills, with older and more able children clearly writing their own names. However, children are not writing for a variety of purposes. | |
| MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT | |
| Judgement: | Very Good |
| Children count confidently and recognition of numerals is good. They are developing calculation skills, and show an understanding of simple addition and subtraction. They show a good understanding of weight and measure, and shape recognition is good. Children use positional language in appropriate contexts, and have good opportunities to practise mathematical learning in everyday, meaningful contexts. | |
| KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD | |
| Judgement: | Very Good |
| Children are learning very well about fetaures of the natural world and their local environment. They explore and investigate with confidence and are developing a good sense of time and place. They design and build with a range of materials and resources, and are learning effective ICT skills. Children are learning well about their own and other cultures through interesting and meaningful activities. | |
| PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT | |
| Judgement: | Very Good |
| Children move very confidently, they are very well co-ordinated and show good spatial awareness. They are developing awareness of their bodies and how they work, and are learning basic health awareness. Children confidently use a good range of tools and equipment that develop large and small motor skills. | |
| CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT | |
| Judgement: | Generally Good |
| Children take part in a range of interesting art and craft activities and use a good variety of media and materials to explore colour, shape and texture. However, opportunities for children to express themselves in creative activities with no defined end product are limited. They take part in regular musical activities and enjoy singing and using instruments. They enjoy role play activities, although resources supporting these are limited. | |
| Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered appropriately. |
| OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION |
| The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time. |
| WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES |
|
| The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education. |
| SUMMARY OF NATIONAL STANDARDS |
| STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON |
|
Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so. |
| STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION |
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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. |
| STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY |
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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. |
| STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT |
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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. |
| STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT |
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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. |
| STANDARD 6 - SAFETY |
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The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents. |
| STANDARD 7 - HEALTH |
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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. |
| STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK |
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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. |
| STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES |
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The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children. |
| STANDARD 10 - SPECIAL NEEDS (INCLUDING SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES) |
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The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is 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. |
| STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR |
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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. |
| STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS |
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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. |
| STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION |
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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. |
| STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION |
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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. |