DAY CARE INSPECTION REPORT

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.

Nursery Thymes Too opened in 2002. The nursery operates from four rooms within a converted house in central Southend on Sea. There is a small rear garden for outside play. The nursery serves the local and surrounding areas.

There are currently 36 children from 0 to 5 years on roll. This includes 10 funded 3 year olds and 1 funded 4 year old. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language.

The group opens five days a week all year round, with the exception of bank holidays. Sessions are from 07:00 until 19:00. Thirteen full and part time staff staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. Three staff are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

Nursery Thymes Too provides good quality care for children.

Staff welcome children and parents to a warm, safe and secure environment. Effective use is made of staff and space. Good staff ratios are maintained at all times. Staff attend training courses to ensure that they have the relevant knowledge and skills. The wide range of resources meet children's individual needs. The setting maintains records, policies and procedures.

Staff give priority to ensuring that children are safe, both inside and outside. Staff actively promote good hygiene practices, acting in the best interests of children in the case of illness or in an emergency. Staff are well informed about children's food allergies. Children are offered healthy and nutritious meals. Varied ranges of experiences are used to help children learn about people's differences. Children with special needs are valued, with their individual needs met by staff. Staff are aware of their responsibilities regarding child protection issues, although they wish to update training.

The children have access to a challenging range of activities to enable them to learn from first hand experiences. The outside play area is well organised, providing opportunities for learning. Staff show children respect, listening to their requests and responding positively. Children are given clear guidelines for good behaviour and benefit from the staff's consistent approach. Staff support children with special needs, planning appropriate activities to help them take part in the everyday activities with the other children.

Staff work in partnership with parents, gaining as much information as possible about their child to ensure that their individual needs are well met. Displays and notices provide information about the children's care.

Not applicable.

• There is good operational plan that works well
• in practice. Children are grouped appropriately, so that they feel secure and confident with the adults caring for them. The staff make good use of space and resources, so that children are well cared for and supported throughout the day.
• Children are involved in activities to encourage exploration and investigation. There is a good balance of structured and child initiated play.
• The staff have a good understanding of the children's dietary requirements and meet them appropriately to promote children's healthy growth and development. Children's independence is encouraged; they can help themselves to a drink at any time.
• The staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the children’s individual needs. They work with parents and others to organise the environment and to plan activities to ensure that all children can participate at a level appropriate to their needs.
• Children benefit from a trusting and mutually supportive partnership between their parents and the nursery staff. Staff welcome parents into the setting and there is a two-way flow of information through parental questionnaires, individual meetings, newsletters, parents' days and the children's developmental reports.

• training to develop staff knowledge and understanding of child protection issues
• the complaint procedure to include Ofsted's contact information.

Good

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.

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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.

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.

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.