Four Seasons At Spectrum
Day Care of Children
Spectrum House
106 Waterloo Street
Glasgow
G2 7DN
Inspected by: Brenda Wilson
Jacque Fee
Type of inspection: Unannounced
Inspection completed on: 12 November 2013
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Contents
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Summary
About the service we inspected
How we inspected this service
The inspection
Other information
Summary of grades
Inspection and grading history
Service provided by:
Four Seasons Nursery
Service provider number:
SP2003001306
Care service number:
CS2007166342
Contact details for the inspector who inspected this service:
Brenda Wilson
Telephone 0141 843 6840
Email enquiries@careinspectorate.com
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Summary
This report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas of
performance which were examined during this inspection.
Grades for this care service may change after this inspection following other
regulatory activity. For example, if we have to take enforcement action to make the
service improve, or if we investigate and agree with a complaint someone makes
about the service.
We gave the service these grades
Quality of Care and Support 4
Good
Quality of Environment 4
Good
Quality of Staffing 5
Quality of Management and Leadership 4
Very Good
Good
What the service does well
The manager and staff team effectively worked with people who use the service and
stakeholders to improve outcomes for children and families. The nursery environment
continued to be developed and promoted opportunities for children to be actively
involved in planning and evaluating their learning in the nursery, garden and local
community.
What the service could do better
In line with current best practice guidance and current legislation the service should
identify an action plan to meet recommendations and requirements identified in this
inspection report.
What the service has done since the last inspection
Staff were working to put in place individual care plans for children and effectively
implement and monitor planned learning experiences in line with the Scottish
Government's Curriculum for excellence and Pre birth to three guidance.
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Conclusion
The Manager and staff team were committed and motivated to improving the lives of
children and families attending the service. Parents/carers were overall very happy
with the quality of provision and children benefited from having a consistent staff
team who provided stimulating challenges and responsive care. The manager was
well placed to meet areas for improvement identified in this report.
Who did this inspection
Brenda Wilson
Jacque Fee
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1 About the service we inspected
The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Information about all cares
services is available on our website at www.careinspectorate.com This service was
previously registered with the Care Commission and transferred its registration to the
Care Inspectorate on 1 April 2011.
Requirements and recommendations
If we are concerned about some aspect of a service, or think it needs to do more to
improve, we may make a recommendation or requirement.
* A recommendation is a statement that sets out actions the care service provider
should take to improve or develop the quality of the service but where failure to do so
will not directly result in enforcement. Recommendations are based on the National
Care Standards, relevant codes of practice and recognised good practice.
* A requirement is a statement, which sets out what is required of a care service to
comply with the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and Regulations or Orders
made under the Act or a condition of registration. Where there are breaches of the
Regulations, Orders or Conditions, a requirement must be made. Requirements are
legally enforceable at the discretion of the Care Inspectorate.
The care service provider of Four Seasons at Spectrum Nursery is Four Seasons
Nursery a private limited company. The service has sole use of the nursery situated on
the ground floor and lower ground floor of the Spectrum building in the centre of
Glasgow. The service gained partnership status with Glasgow City Council in August
2011.
The service is registered to provide full and part-time daycare to a maximum 102
children from birth to those not yet attending primary school. The nursery is
registered to operate between 07:00 and 19:00 hours. The nursery currently operated
between 07:30 and 18:00 hours, Monday to Friday.
The service's vision, values and aims were recently reviewed and included:
"It is the vision of Four Seasons Nurseries to provide daycare facilities of the highest
standard to meet the needs of working parents and those parents accessing training
prior to returning to work. As more housing is becoming available in the city centre,
we are also catering for parents who wish their child to be involved in high quality
pre-school education. We value and respect our families and our staff.
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We aim to provide:
* A safe, stimulating, fun, nurturing and caring environment.
* We will develop our ethos that each child's development is unique and aim to
achieve their fullest potential and evidence this individually.
* We will follow the Scottish Government legislation and local authority policies and
guidelines to ensure we provide the highest quality care and education.
* We value the capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence to develop our learners and
the principles of Pre-Birth to Three to link with these capacities.
* We reflect that our children have rights as contained in the Children's Charter.
* We will encourage positive attitudes, diversity and inclusion.
* We will build strong partnerships with our parents and other agencies.
* We will engage staff of the highest calibre to ensure the highest quality of learning
for our children.
* We will work in partnership with Glasgow City Council.
* We will endeavour to develop close links with the local and wider community.
A full statement of the service vision, values and aims was available to people using
the service.
Based on the findings of this inspection this service has been awarded the following
grades:
Quality of Care and Support - Grade 4 - Good
Quality of Environment - Grade 4 - Good
Quality of Staffing - Grade 5 - Very Good
Quality of Management and Leadership - Grade 4 - Good
This report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas of
performance which were examined during this inspection.
Grades for this care service may change following other regulatory activity. You can
find the most up-to-date grades for this service by visiting our website
www.careinspectorate.com or by calling us on 0845 600 9527 or visiting one of our
offices.
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2 How we inspected this service
The level of inspection we carried out
In this service we carried out a medium intensity inspection. We carry out these
inspections where we have assessed the service may need a more intense inspection.
What we did during the inspection
We wrote this report following an unannounced inspection. This was carried out by
Care Inspector Brenda Wilson and Care Inspector Jacque Fee. The inspection took
place over one day on Tuesday 12 November 2013 between 09:30 a.m. and 6:45 p.m.
We gave feedback to the provider/manager and assistant manager on 12 November
2013.
As part of the inspection, we took account of the completed annual return and selfassessment forms that we asked the provider to complete and submit to us.
We sent thirty care standard questionnaires to the manager to distribute to parents/
carers. We received sixteen completed questionnaires which were returned before the
inspection.
We also asked the manager to give out ten questionnaires to staff and we received
eight completed questionnaires.
We spoke with:
* ten children
* one parents/carers
* nine staff
* provider/manager
* assistant manager
We looked at:
* health and safety records, including infection control, risk assessments
* medication, accident and incident records
* questionnaires that had been requested, filled in and returned to the Care
Inspectorate from parents/carers
* aims and objectives
* observing how staff worked
* the environment and equipment
* staff training and supervision records
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* children's files, care plans and profiles
* information for people who use the service
* complaints and comments
* improvement plan, planning sheets and room meeting minutes
* resource management
* maintenance reports
* registration procedures
* safe sleeping practices
* meal preparation and menu planning
* fridge storage and temperature controls
* policy and procedures folder
* evidence folder
* hygiene policies and procedures
* cleaning rota
* the participation strategy, this is the service's plan for how they will involve service
users
* certificate of registration
* insurance certificate
Grading the service against quality themes and statements
We inspect and grade elements of care that we call 'quality themes'. For example,
one of the quality themes we might look at is 'Quality of care and support'. Under
each quality theme are 'quality statements' which describe what a service should be
doing well for that theme. We grade how the service performs against the quality
themes and statements.
Details of what we found are in Section 3: The inspection
Inspection Focus Areas (IFAs)
In any year we may decide on specific aspects of care to focus on during our
inspections. These are extra checks we make on top of all the normal ones we make
during inspection. We do this to gather information about the quality of these aspects
of care on a national basis. Where we have examined an inspection focus area we will
clearly identify it under the relevant quality statement.
Fire safety issues
We do not regulate fire safety. Local fire and rescue services are responsible for
checking services. However, where significant fire safety issues become apparent, we
will alert the relevant fire and rescue services so they may consider what action to
take. You can find out more about care services' responsibilities for fire safety at
www.firelawscotland.org
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What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made
at our last inspection
Recommendation 1, Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3
The service should review availability of appropriate staff seating when feeding and
comforting babies and young children. National Care Standards Early Education and
childcare up to the age of 16 - Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing
This recommendation is met, see Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3.
Recommendation 2, Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3
The service should review recording procedures to show the purpose of outings and
garden visits linked to planned learning experiences. National Care Standards Early
Education and childcare up to the age of 16 - Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing
This recommendation is met, see Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3.
Recommendation 3, Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3
The service should review the provision of natural and sensory resources available to
children on a daily basis. National Care Standards Early Education and childcare up to
the age of 16 - Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing
This recommendation remains current. See recommendation with references to
Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3.
Recommendation 4, Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3.
The service should review rest/sleep areas within the playroom and children's sleep
patterns to ensure children who may wish to sleep/rest outwith the lunch time
period have the opportunity to do so and resources are readily available. National
Care Standards Early Education and childcare up to the age of 16 - Standard 3 Health and Wellbeing
This recommendation is met, see Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3.
Recommendation 1, Quality Theme 2, Quality Statement 2
The Provider should review maintenance reporting systems with all staff and monitor
issues raised and actions taken. National Care Standards Early Education and
childcare up to the age of 16 - Standard 2 - A safe environment
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This recommendation remains current. See recommendation with reference to Quality
Theme 2, Quality Statement 2.
Recommendation 2, Quality Theme 2, Quality Statement 2
The service should review the service's risk assessment policies and procedures with
all staff to ensure potential risk are systematically recorded in relation to routes taken
on outings. National Care Standards Early Education and childcare up to the age of 16
- Standard 2 - A safe environment
This recommendation remains current. See recommendation with references to
Quality Theme 2, Quality Statement 2.
The annual return
Every year all care services must complete an 'annual return' form to make sure the
information we hold is up to date. We also use annual returns to decide how we will
inspect the service.
Annual Return Received: Yes - Electronic
Comments on Self Assessment
Every year all care services must complete a 'self assessment' form telling us how
their service is performing. We check to make sure this assessment is accurate.
The Care Inspectorate received a fully completed electronic self assessment document
from the service provider. We were satisfied with the way the service provider had
completed this and with the relevant information they had given us for each of the
headings that we grade them under.
The service provider identified what they thought they did well, some areas for
improvement and any changes they planned. The service provider told us how the
people who used the care service had taken part in the self assessment process.
Taking the views of people using the care service into account
We observed and spoke with children who use the service. The children were aged
four months to four years.
Children's comments included:
"I am Cinderella today."
"I like to play with my friends."
"I like to play with babies but there are no babies."
"I can put my jacket on and my welly boots."
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"I am going outside to play."
"We are going to sing and clap today in the Chimes class. (Music class)."
"I like my lunch. My favourite is pasta."
Taking carers' views into account
We sent out thirty questionnaires and sixteen were completed and returned to us
before our inspection. When asked about the overall quality of service, fourteen
parents/carers strongly agreed that they were happy with the care their child
received and two agreed.
Eleven parents/carers provided positive comments in the returned questionnaires.
Parents/carers comments included:
"I cannot rate this nursery highly enough. They completely put myself and my
daughter at ease when we joined. My daughter has grown in confidence and abilities.
Her speech and language skills have improved greatly and the staff work hard to
ensure she learns and has fun. I would recommend Four Seasons to everyone. I have
had no concerns and any questions I have had were dealt with and handled
professionally and confidentially."
"Overall I am delighted with my daughters' nursery. Returning to work for any parent
is traumatic and the baby room that she is in is a fantastic environment for her to
develop. She loves nursery and the staff are great with her and the other children. I
get daily updates including photos from random activities which I love seeing. They
are very proactive about getting out for walks and do lots of small trips which I have
been really pleased about. The provider/manager is fully involved which is very
evident."
"My son is a confident, happy little boy and the care that the staff give him is
outstanding."
"The staff provide an excellent learning environment for my child. They arrange a
broad range of activities that have undoubtedly assisted my child's development.
Most importantly, however, my child loves attending the nursery which is a key
indicator for me that the staff are doing an excellent job."
We spoke to one parent during the inspection. The parent told us she was happy
with the care and support her children received and stated:
"This is our second child and we did not hesitate to use this service. I am much less
anxious because it's my second child so not looking for as much information. They do
give us information every day like what they are eating."
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3 The inspection
We looked at how the service performs against the following quality themes and
statements. Here are the details of what we found.
Quality Theme 1: Quality of Care and Support
Grade awarded for this theme: 4 - Good
Statement 1
We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the
quality of the care and support provided by the service.
Service strengths
We found very good systems in place to involve people who use the service in
assessing the quality of provision and involvement in nursery life. To assess this
statement we gathered evidence from discussions with parents/carers, children,
observing interactions and sampling information from the manager.
Parents/carers we spoke to told us they were regularly asked for their views and
suggestions on a variety of topics and informed they were given regular feedback on
how the manager had taken their views forward.
An example viewed showed the process undertaken to involve people who use the
service in reviewing the lunch menu. We found parents/carers suggestions, children's
likes and dislikes, cultural and medical requirements were respected and effectively
used to inform the current winter menu.
In addition, parents/carers had the opportunity to provide additional feedback on the
process, using a variety of communication systems including, post it notes,
questionnaires, email, text messaging and daily communication at drop off and pick
up times. One parent commented on a post it note:
"Children are enjoying the fact that they are having the opportunity to make decisions
regarding lunch and due to this are eating more. (Parent initialed)."
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In consequence, we found the manager effectively provided opportunities for children
and parents/carers to be involved in decision making processes which influenced a
wide variety of organisational procedures and promoted positive outcomes for
children and families.
We found very good consultation systems in place to involve children in planning and
evaluating their learning. We viewed mind maps and floor book planning showing
how children identified what they know and what they would like to learn. In addition,
circle time provided opportunities for children to share activities and events from
home and to discuss their current interests with staff and their peers.
Through talking to children, viewing wall displays and planning systems we found
staff respected children's views and effectively provided opportunities to discuss and
extend children's interests and learning.
Since the last inspection the service had introduced on-line questionnaires. Parents/
carers told us they benefited from having questionnaires, room news and
organisational news emailed regularly to them, which enabled them to read and
respond to requests or issues, at their leisure.
We viewed a variety of responses which showed that on-line communication was
proving to be a very good means of collating parents/carers views and for the
manager to show how feedback was taken forward.
One parent commented:
"I would like to know if parental views/suggestions are then followed up. I do not
know how much or how quickly parental suggestions are taken on board for short/
medium/long term planning."
In response the manager provided a detailed audit and explanation as to how
feedback was provided: "We do always follow up on any parental feedback but as
most of your responses were anonymous we just have to do this generically."
We therefore found the manager and staff team had established very good
relationships and valued and respected the views of people using the service and
other agencies.
Recent involvement strategies showed how the service was currently seeking on-line
parental feedback on their child's learning journeys, introduction of a breakfast
blether, and encouraging grandparents to be actively involved in a variety of initiatives
including a grandparents tea party. In addition, the nursery celebrated Fathers
Reading Every Day (FRED) week, which encouraged dads to use props to develop
stories for older children.
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People who use the service therefore benefited from sharing activities with their
children at a time suitable to meet their work patterns and feedback viewed was very
positive.
In addition, the introduction of an evaluation station provided opportunities for people
who use the service to make comments on a variety of topics and included specific
request relating to the quality indicators used to monitor the service.
An example viewed related to Quality Indicator 1.4 regarding communication methods
and sought parents views on introducing the breakfast blether. Parents comments
included:
"I think this would be a great way to meet other parents."
"Great idea, would love to do this."
"Great idea having breakfast and kids will definitely try to attend and see how kids
have their breakfast."
In conclusion, we found that since the last inspection the manager and staff team
had worked hard and were continually seeking ways to involve people who use the
service in assessing and improving outcomes for children and families.
Areas for improvement
The Provider identified the following areas for improvement in the service's self
assessment:
"Further develop parent's evaluation of learning journeys."
We found the service had taken effective measures to introduce the area for
improvement identified above.
Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good
Number of requirements: 0
Number of recommendations: 0
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Statement 3
We ensure that service users' health and wellbeing needs are met.
Service strengths
We found this service was performing at a good grade for this statement. To assess
this statement we observed staff practice, sampled relevant health and wellbeing
documentation for example outings, sleep arrangements, key worker system,
admissions, personal plans, learning journeys/profiles, hygiene and infection control,
medication, access to water, staff training and through talking to the manager,
parents/carers, staff and children.
In addition, we focused on four recommendations identified in the last inspection
report dated 25 April 2012.
We viewed outings records, which showed planned outing and outdoor activities were
linked to specific planned learning experiences. An example viewed showed how
children were actively involved in outings to garden centres and parks to help them
identify and purchase resources needed to improve the outdoor environment.
Staff encouraged children to make decisions and take their plans forward including
planting flowers and developing a mud pool. Children therefore took pride in their
achievements and photographs showed how they were learning to plan and care for
the flowers which bloomed throughout the summer months. This was a
recommendation identified in the last inspection report. This recommendation is met.
Children benefited from participating in chimes, music, movement and drama classes.
One child spoken with recalled her favourite song and happily showed us her dance
routine. In consequence, children clearly enjoyed the music, songs, stories and
physical activities provided on a weekly basis.
Staff demonstrated a good knowledge of safe sleeping practices and received Safe
Sleeping guidance from the Scottish Cot Death Trust. We found staff effectively
monitored sleeping babies and children using the guidance, including recording room
temperatures and cleaning of sleep mats and bedding.
Children had the opportunity to rest and sleep within the playroom and babies were
often taken on walks to sleep in their prams or in the designated sleep room. Sleep
mats and cots were readily available for children to access throughout the day. This
was a recommendation identified in the last inspection report. This recommendation
is met.
Parents benefited from having verbal and written feedback as to their babies and
young child's individual sleep pattern, diet, toileting and activities undertaken daily.
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One parent commented in the care standards questionnaire:
"The nursery keeps us fully informed of my child's progress, plans and activities. He is
happy there and I'm pleased with the level of care and service we get. Staff are
friendly, helpful and approachable."
The manager had put in place effective systems to ensure key workers had
meaningful information about children's needs prior to and throughout their settling
in period and placement. We found key workers used this information effectively and
captured meaningful information about children's lives, personal needs, diet and
routines.
Parents confirmed meetings were held during transition periods as children moved
rooms or when going to school. One parent spoken with stated:
"We fill in a form providing information at the beginning and you get a meeting with
the keyworker every time you change rooms. I think the six month room (18 months
to 2 years) is excellent - the children move on so much then. I learned a lot about
toilet training from working with staff. I felt they were a good support because I have
no family or someone to ask nearby."
By following care plans for six children and observing key workers interactions
throughout the day, we saw staff appropriately implemented the planned care and
effectively worked with other agencies to inform additional support plans, for children
with additional support needs when required.
As a result of joint working practices, children benefited from having additional
resources, one to one and group time support to aid their development, health and
learning needs.
Parents/carers told us they attended parents/carers evenings, open days and
meetings to discuss their child's progress and informed they could make comment in
the child's learning journey folder. In addition staff emailed a monthly summary to
each parent to inform them of their child's development and learning. Parents told us
they found this very informative and were able to respond by email or on a one to one
basis with their child's keyworker.
We found staff to be very responsive when caring for children during settling in
periods, transition periods and daily experiences. We observed staff's positive
interactions throughout the inspection and found they responded instinctively to meet
children's individual needs and choices.
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Older children had the opportunity to complete a child friendly questionnaire
highlighting their current likes and dislikes, which staff used to plan activities.
Parents/carers were asked about their child's interests and completed a 'Through the
Seasons' booklet relating to their child's individual needs including, diet, likes and
dislikes, family members and personal needs.
The service provided healthy snack options including fresh fruit, milk and water.
Children, parents/carers were involved in reviewing the snack and lunch menus and
encouraged to suggest healthy choices taking account of their likes and dislikes. The
manager provided effective feedback and collated responses informed healthy lunch
options and a nutritional balance over a three week period.
We observed the lunch time procedures and found appropriate staff seating was
available for feeding and comforting babies and young children. We saw babies and
young children benefited from having staff sit with them to promote independence
skills, including self-weaning and encouraging the use of cutlery, which contributed to
a pleasant social lunchtime experience.
This was a recommendation identified in the last inspection report. This
recommendation is met. However, we have made a recommendation below relating
to the lunch time experiences observed.
The service promoted healthy lifestyle initiatives and held a Bronze Healthy Working
Lives award for promoting health initiatives within the service, including breastfeeding awareness, smile too tooth brushing initiative and healthy eating. Children
therefore benefited from having opportunities to learn about a variety of health topics
which provided opportunities for them to make informed decisions about healthy
choices.
Areas for improvement
The provider identified the following areas for improvement in the service's self
assessment:
"To gain a silver award in Healthy Working lives. To further develop lunch time
procedures for children's choice."
Children were offered water at snack and lunch times and fresh water jugs were
available in some playrooms. The manager discussed the benefits of having visual
aids throughout the nursery to help children independently indicate their personal
needs, e.g. toileting, drinks and agreed to review children's access to fresh water
throughout the nursery. This was a recommendation identified in the last inspection
report. This recommendation is met.
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We found that following the lunch time period children who were not sleeping or
resting had a limited choice of resources due to sleep areas being created to
enable children to sleep after lunch. This was very evident in one room. The Manager
informed that she respected parental wishes used to inform when and how long their
child slept, e.g. for 1 hour after lunch. However, we discussed the need to take
account of children's own individual sleep needs which influence changes to their
daily routines and individual sleep patterns.
We observed the lunch time procedures in each room and found that although
appropriate seating was available for younger children, staff did not routinely sit with
older children. In addition, we identified a number of missed opportunities to
effectively monitor and review lunch time procedures to ensure children's
independence and social skills were supported during the lunch time period, including
* lack of appropriate child sized resources, e.g. serving spoons, jugs, serving platters
* layout of tables and chairs, some tables facing the wall
* timescales for serving food, some rooms had lunch pre served in bowls half an hour
before children went to the table and snack times were not consistent as some
children did not have snack following their breakfast at 8.30 a.m.
* limited opportunities for children to pour, cut and serve food and drinks
independently
See Recommendation 1, Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3
Younger children had access to natural resources when they were planned for and
provided by staff from storage. We found limited natural and sensory resources
available for children to explore on a daily basis. This was a recommendation
identified in the last inspection report. This recommendation remains current.
See Recommendation 2, Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3
We acknowledge staff were working hard to take forward the new curriculum
planning recording systems, transition reports and care plan reviews for individual
children. However, specific information provided verbally by parents/carers on a day to - day basis was not routinely recorded, potentially missing opportunities for staff to
respond and track specific changes to children's medical needs, dietary needs,
personal needs and developmental stages.
See Recommendation 3, Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3
Administration of medication recording systems had improved. However, we found
the service policy and procedure should be further reviewed to show refusal of
medication and shelf life of opened medication, in line with best practice guidance
from the NHS Management of Medication in day care and children's services.
See Recommendation 4, Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3
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Grade awarded for this statement: 4 - Good
Number of requirements: 0
Number of recommendations: 4
Recommendations
1. Recommendation with reference to Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3.
The service should review and monitor lunch time procedures to ensure
appropriate resources, time and opportunities are available to promote
independence skill and positive social experiences.
National Care Standards Early Education and childcare up to the age of 16 Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing
2. Recommendation with reference to Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3
The service should review the provision of natural and sensory resources available
to children on a daily basis.
National Care Standards Early Education and childcare up to the age of 16 Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing
3. Recommendation with reference to Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3.
The manager should formalise recording systems and provide staff guidance on
personal planning to ensure verbal information provided by parents/carers on a
day-to-day basis, inform personal plans review. Written records should be used to
monitor changes to children's routines and show actions taken to meet their
current needs, including medical conditions, dietary requirements, routines and
developmental stages.
National Care Standards Early Education and childcare up to the age of 16 Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing
4. Recommendation with reference to Quality Theme 1, Quality Statement 3.
The service should review the storage and administration of medication policy and
procedures to ensure staff have clear guidance and effective recording systems in
line with the NHS Management of Medication in day care and child-minding
services.
National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16 Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing
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Quality Theme 2: Quality of Environment
Grade awarded for this theme: 4 - Good
Statement 1
We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the
quality of the environment within the service.
Service strengths
Methods to involve people who use the service are outlined under Quality Theme 1,
Statement 1.
We found very good systems in place to involve people who use the service in
assessing the quality of provision and involvement in nursery life. To assess this
statement we gathered evidence from discussions with parents/carers, children,
observing interactions and sampling information from the manager.
The evaluation station showed how parents, staff and children worked together at the
last parents' evening to develop a plan for the outdoor garden.
Older children benefited from being actively involved in planning the outdoor area,
purchasing resources and planting and growing flowers of their choice. Parents were
also keen to be involved in developing the outdoor space and volunteered to help
build a trellis, frames and mud pit.
The manager and staff team respected children's suggestions and effectively took
forward their ideas. We spoke to several children who confirmed their plans were
taken forward. Children's comments included:
"I like to play in the mud and sometimes we put sand in it."
"It is cold outside today that is why we have to put on our hats and gloves."
"We went to the shops to buy lots of things for the garden."
We therefore, found staff valued children's suggestions and supported them in
decision-making processes during children's meetings and playroom activities.
Photographs, mind maps and records displayed throughout the service provided
evidence that children's suggestions and ideas had led to positive changes in the
playrooms and outdoor areas.
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Staff effectively shared recent training in numeracy, literacy and outdoor learning with
children and parents/carers. In addition, staff were currently seeking guidance from a
local garden centre to inform their practice. Parents spoken with commented on how
their children are benefiting from having access to the outdoor play area, outings and
are learning to care for the environment.
In consequence, children benefited from having opportunities to learn and express
their views on a wide variety of environmental topics provided both indoors and
outdoors.
Areas for improvement
The Provider identified the following area for improvement in the service's self
assessment:
"To review how endorsements are collated and shared. To further develop the garden
area."
The service was very aware of the need to continually involve parents/carers and
children in assessing the quality of provision and should continue to evidence and
monitor the involvement of people who use the service, as identified in the service
improvement plan.
Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good
Number of requirements: 0
Number of recommendations: 0
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 21 of 39
Inspection report continued
Statement 2
We make sure that the environment is safe and service users are protected.
Service strengths
We found this service was performing at a good grade for this statement. To assess
this statement we observed staff practice and sampled relevant health and safety
documentation for example security, hygiene and infection control, maintenance
reporting, first aid, accident and incident reports, risk assessments and environmental
checks.
Thirteen parents strongly agreed and three agreed in the care standard
questionnaires that the service is safe, secure, hygienic, smoke free, pleasant and
stimulating environment.
The service's door entry/exit systems provided a safe environment for children and
families entering or leaving the premises. The service installed a Fingerprint
Identification System, video monitoring and visitors' book.
We therefore, found staff effectively recorded when children and visitors enter and
leave the premises and evacuation registers showed an accurate record of children on
the premises at any given time. In addition, parents informed that they were aware of
guidance issued to ensure the safe arrival, late arrival and collection of children and
were satisfied that the service had taken precautions to ensure children's safety.
One parent stated:
"I am very aware of the security procedures and welcome them given that we are in
the heart of the city centre. I am confident that staff are very vigilant and are very
aware of who is authorised to collect my child."
The manager was very aware of pram storage issues and continued to monitor the
storage and number of large pushchairs used during the winter months, in line with
Fire Safety guidance to ensure fire evacuation routes were clear of obstruction.
We found staff effectively maintained a record of fridge and food temperatures and
implemented safe working practices in line with Food Standards Agency and
Environmental Health guidance. Children therefore benefited from having meals and
snacks cooked and prepared in a safe environment.
The service's outings policy provided clear guidance to staff on the use of restraints
including the use of reins/wrist straps and buggies and highlighted staff
responsibilities to hold children's hands or handles of buggies at all times to ensure
children's safety.
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 22 of 39
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The manager reviewed the outings risk assessment policies and procedures and
provided effective guidance for staff to ensure potential risks are systematically
recorded in relation to routes taken on outings. This was a recommendation identified
in the last inspection report. This recommendation is met.
We viewed maps showing exact routes taken for regular outings and walks and staff
effectively recorded the purpose, timescales, venue and names of staff and children
participating in each outing. Children therefore benefited from having regular outings
to various events and locations in the local and wider community.
Children benefited from taking part in activities to raise awareness of health and
safety issues including discussing potential risks in the garden and in the playroom.
We observed staff following service policy whilst walking with children on the
pavement and children confidently told us that they had to hold hands when going to
the garden area.
Parents/carers confirmed that they signed accident report sheets and that staff
informed of first aid administered. Staff held relevant first aid qualifications and
maintained appropriate first aid materials within each room. This contributed to a
safe environment for children in the event of an emergency or accident.
Staff attended in-house child protection training and regularly reviewed the policy
and procedures at staff meetings. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of their
responsibilities to protect children from harm. Fourteen parents strongly agreed and
two agreed in the care standards questionnaires that they were confident staff will
protect their child from harm, abuse, bullying and neglect.
The entrance provided relevant national and local information for parents/carers
including contacts for breast-feeding nursery, health and education support agencies
and complaints procedure. Parents/carers could therefore access additional
information independently and seek further guidance, when required.
The service Health and Safety folder provided appropriate guidance to staff and
students and was used ring the induction process. Staff had a clear understanding of
Health and Safety practices and held Health and Safety meetings with some staff
undertaking specific tasks to ensure a safe environment for people who use the
service.
We therefore, found the building meets all current health and safety legislation,
environmental health, fire and electrical appliance testing.
Areas for improvement
The Provider identified the following area for improvement in the services self
assessment:
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 23 of 39
Inspection report continued
"To monitor new infection control procedure."
We found that the service was visually clean and staff were aware of current best
practice hygiene and infection control guidance. However, we found effective hand
hygiene procedures were not consistently implemented throughout the service. We
saw hand gel regularly used rather than soap and water and baby wipes used to clean
children's hands prior to lunch and throughout the day in the baby room.
We also found nappy changing was undertaken in one playroom on a floor mat. We
therefore found nappy changing systems and hygiene and infection control
procedures required to be reviewed to ensure a safe hygienic environment is
maintained in line with current best practice guidance and to ensure children's dignity
is respected during nappy changing routines.
See Requirement 1, Quality Theme 2, Quality Statement 2
Maintenance reporting systems were in place. However, we found that recording
systems were not consistently completed to monitor timescales for completion or
when further action is required. We therefore found a potential risk to people who use
the service as some reports were not signed and dated to confirm completion. This
was a recommendation identified in the last inspection report. This recommendation
remains current.
See Recommendation 1, Quality Theme 2, Quality Statement 2
The service had developed generic risk assessments and a 'Potential Risk Report' was
available for staff to identify potential risks on a daily basis, this was used to inform
the maintenance log. However, the report did not provide a record of actions taken to
alleviate potential and actual risks identified on a day to day basis.
An example viewed showed staff recorded and reported a potential risk to
maintenance on 17 May 2013, however the repair was not carried out until 18 June
2013 and no record of actions taken to alleviate the potential risk were recorded.
See Recommendation 2, Quality Theme 2, Quality Statement 2
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 24 of 39
Inspection report continued
Grade awarded for this statement: 4 - Good
Number of requirements: 1
Number of recommendations: 2
Requirements
1. Requirement with reference to Quality Theme 2, Quality Statement 2
The provider must ensure the safety of people who use the service.
In order to achieve this the provider must review and monitor hand hygiene
systems and nappy changing procedures in line with NHS Infection prevention and
control in childcare setting (day care and child-minding settings) and ensure safe
working practices which respect the dignity and health and safety needs of people
using the service.
This is in order to comply with SSI 2011/210 Regulation (1) (a) - a requirement that
providers shall make proper provision for the health and welfare of service users,
In making this requirement, the following National Care Standards were considered:
National Care Standards - Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16:
Standard 3 - Health and Wellbeing
Timescale - 3 months
Recommendations
1. Recommendation with reference to Quality Theme 2, Quality Statement 2
The Provider should review maintenance reporting systems with all staff and
maintain an accurate record of issues raised, actions taken and completion date.
National Care Standards early education and childcare up to the age of 16 Standard 2 - A safe environment
2. Recommendation with reference to Quality Theme 2, Quality Statement 2
The manager should review risk assessment policies and procedures with all staff
to ensure potential and actual risks are systematically recorded and show actions
taken to immediately alleviate hazards identified.
National Care Standards early education and childcare up to the age of 16 Standard 2 - A safe environment
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 25 of 39
Inspection report continued
Quality Theme 3: Quality of Staffing
Grade awarded for this theme: 5 - Very Good
Statement 1
We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the
quality of staffing in the service.
Service strengths
We found very good systems in place to involve people who use the service in
assessing the quality of provision and involvement in nursery life. To assess this
statement we gathered evidence from discussions with parents/carers, children,
observing interactions and sampling information from the manager.
Methods to involve people who use the service are outlined under Quality Theme 1,
Statement 1.
We found very good communication systems in place to inform parents/carers of
organisational news and to seek their views on staffing and improving the quality of
service. Parents and children were asked to vote and gave reasons for their choice of
staff in a variety of areas, which celebrated staffs achievements and informed a new
awards ceremony.
Parents were asked for their preferred means of communication and following an
audit of responses the services newsletter was displayed on the nursery web site with
email correspondence being preferred by the majority. In addition, the manager
respected parent's wishes to receive hard copies of any correspondence issued.
We tracked a number of emails sent to parents/carers and responses showed an ongoing record of suggestions and requests, which the manager responded to
effectively. Parents/carers informed that they valued the opportunity to respond to
emails at their leisure.
Children benefited from having a key worker (named member of staff) who provided
continuity of care for children and parents attending the nursery. Staff effectively
worked with parents and children to develop a buddy system to support children
moving into the 3 - 5 room.
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 26 of 39
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Thirteen parents strongly agreed and three agreed that staff treat their child fairly and
with respect as identified in the care standards questionnaire. One parent
commented:
"My son is a confident, happy little boy and the care that the staff give him is
outstanding."
Parents told us they felt the induction and transition to nursery was very well
organised and it helped to have key workers identified as positive relationships were
being developed prior to children starting their placement.
Following a recent parental survey the manager completed an audit which showed 59
responses highlighting positive comments and suggested areas for improvement.
In response, the manager provided an overview of actions taken to improve
communication systems, including updates on the electronic learning journeys and
evaluation station which is readily available for parents to record their views on the
quality indicators displayed. In addition the manager explained how the parents
forum and children had previously set interview questions to inform recruitment
procedures.
In consequence, we found the manager and staff team had worked in partnership
with parents/carers and children and were continually seeking ways to involve people
who use the service in assessing the quality of staff and improving outcomes for
children and families.
Areas for improvement
The Provider identified the following area for improvement in the service's self
assessment:
"To continue to involve our Parents' Forum in updating our current performance
review process and to encourage more parents to join the Forum."
Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good
Number of requirements: 0
Number of recommendations: 0
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 27 of 39
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Statement 3
We have a professional, trained and motivated workforce which operates to National
Care Standards, legislation and best practice.
Service strengths
We found this service had performed to a very good standard in the areas covered by
this statement. To assess this statement we observed staff practice and sampled
relevant documentation for example, continuing professional development (CPD)
(staff training records), minutes of meetings, staff remits and monitoring systems.
We found staff to be knowledgeable and motivated to promote positive outcomes for
children and families. The staff we spoke to value the work they did and felt able to
provide a high standard of care to people who use the service. Staff told us they felt
the manager respected their views and opinions and took forward their suggestions
whilst assessing the quality statements for this inspection and through selfassessment procedures.
There had been a very good range of training that was relevant to the needs of
people who use the service and staff professional development. Staff explained the
benefits of recent training and how training improved their practice and outcomes for
children and families.
We found very good examples of how staff effectively used their training to influence
positive outcomes for children. An example of this showed how staff were involving
children in planning activities to improve their experiences outdoors. We viewed big
books showing how children planned and evaluated activities to improve the outdoor
environment. Children therefore benefited from staff valuing their input and having
opportunities to discuss and take forward their plans.
We viewed a variety of minutes showing regular room meetings, staff meetings,
management meetings and parents meetings which the manager effectively delivered
to show a record of communication methods used to formally and informally monitor
organisational improvements.
Staff told us how local initiatives had helped them to deliver joint working practices
including Smile Too tooth-brushing programme and Breast Feeding Awareness.
Parents spoken with praised staff for effectively encouraging children to brush their
teeth and we saw children confidently undertaking tooth brushing using
recommended procedures.
Staff were committed to their own personal development needs and attended a wide
variety of training opportunities including further education.
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 28 of 39
Inspection report continued
As a partnership nursery staff had the opportunity to attend Glasgow City Council
training events and in house training, which they evaluated to inform current practice,
policy and procedural reviews. Training opportunities were provided by local authority,
training organisations and in-house.
Recent training included:
* Child protection
* First aid
* Food handling and hygiene
* Breast feeding awareness
* Oral health
* Curriculum for Excellence
* Pre birth to three
Staff confirmed they attended annual appraisal sessions, which informed their
training needs matrix. We therefore found the manager effectively planned and
monitored staff training opportunities and took forward a team approach to support
staff's development.
In consequence staff morale was high and staff appeared motivated to take on board
leadership roles to support their own personal development needs and the needs of
the service.
Systems were in place to record Enhanced Disclosure Scotland checks and Protection
of Vulnerable Groups (PVG). The service was very aware of making appropriate checks
and following guidance in relation to PVG, Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and
systems were in place to verify staff qualifications.
Parents spoken with told us they found the staff to be very friendly, approachable and
professional and had confidence in their ability to care for their children's needs.
The service was committed to helping people to get back to work through the
Glasgow Commonwealth Apprentices Initiative and other 'back to work' agencies and
training organisations. Trainees spoken with informed that they had undertaken a
detailed induction programme and praised the staff mentoring system which,
identified a key person to support their learning and practice.
Staff were actively involved in monitoring the quality of provision, through recorded
observations of practice within each playroom. Staff confidently identified areas for
improvement, good practice and ways to enhance children's experiences. Staff spoken
with confirmed the manager listened to their suggestions and provided opportunities
for staff to change policies and procedures to reflect current best practice.
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 29 of 39
Inspection report continued
Areas for improvement
The Provider identified the following area for improvement in the service's self
assessment:
"To continue to develop our in-house training on GIRFEC. To organise specific training
on schemas."
We identified in the last inspection report the providers intention to provide staff
training to raise awareness and identify a way forward in relation to the National
Practice Model "Getting it Right for Every Child" (GIRFEC). We found that staff were
aware of GIRFEC, and the manager was working towards identifying structured plans
to take forward the National Practice Model.
Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good
Number of requirements: 0
Number of recommendations: 0
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 30 of 39
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Quality Theme 4: Quality of Management and Leadership
Grade awarded for this theme: 4 - Good
Statement 1
We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the
quality of the management and leadership of the service.
Service strengths
The service provided very good systems to involve people in assessing the quality of
management and leadership.
Methods to involve people who use the service are outlined under Quality Theme 1,
Statement 1.
The service improvement plan displayed in the entrance showed people who use the
service how priorities for action were being taken forward and evaluated. Parents/
carers told us they were regularly updated about service improvements and were
confident the manager respected their views.
The returned care standard questionnaires showed that fifteen parents strongly
agreed and one agreed that the service involved them in developing the service.
The parent forum established in partnership with the providers other services,
although currently seeking new membership, provided opportunities for some parents
to be involved in sharing their view and assessment of organisational practices.
The manager informed monitoring systems were currently progressing to show how
parental involvement impacts on quality outcomes for people who use the service as
identified in the service improvement plan.
Areas for improvement
The Provider identified the following area for improvement in the service's self
assessment:
"To introduce breakfast blethers to allow parents to talk with staff and other parents
over a cup of tea before they go to work."
We found the above area for improvement was now active and provided a positive
response from parents/carers.
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 31 of 39
Inspection report continued
Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good
Number of requirements: 0
Number of recommendations: 0
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 32 of 39
Inspection report continued
Statement 4
We use quality assurance systems and processes which involve service users, carers,
staff and stakeholders to assess the quality of service we provide
Service strengths
We found this service had performed to a good standard in the areas covered by this
statement. To assess this statement we observed staff practice and sampled relevant
documentation for example, staff rota, Improvement plan, monitoring systems,
communication with local authority, audits and evaluations of practice and talking to
staff, manager and people who use the service.
The service's improvement plan identified a three year cycle and showed how staff
were involved in taking forward specific sub-groups and remits within the nursery and
wider community. Current priorities reflected local authority and nursery priorities and
included:
* Successes and achievements - Development of the outside learning environment.
* Working and life of the centre - Development of children's individual learning plans.
Staff training on supporting the emotions and needs of children.
* Vision and leadership - Involve our nursery community in learning about the
Commonwealth Games.
* Development of a Breakfast club for parents.
We found the service had already made good progress to take forward identified
priorities for improvement. In consequence, people who use the service were
attending a number of new initiatives including the breakfast blether, grandparent
day and enjoying improvements to the outdoor area.
People using the service told us they were aware of the improvement plan displayed
and informed that the manager regularly asked for their views on service policies and
procedures. In consequence, parents were provided with information to enable them
to make informed decisions about the quality of service provision.
Staff confirmed they held additional responsibilities and were provided with adequate
time to plan, implement and monitor identified priorities. In addition, the
management group provided effective systems to ensure staff understood their roles
and responsibilities. In consequence staff told us they felt comfortable to approach
the management group to seek clarity or further explanation relating to any issues
which arose.
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 33 of 39
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We found staffing ratios and staff deployment met Annex A of the national care
standards. Children therefore benefited from having a consistent staff team and key
worker system, which resulted in positive relationships being formed. Parents
commented positively on the friendly, professional staff team and praised their
knowledge of their child's individual needs.
The service was in partnership with Glasgow City Council and worked with their
Quality Improvement Officers to complete a Standards and Quality Report for 2012 12013, this was approved by the local authority.
We found the Standards and Quality Report showed how the service had taken
forward previous priorities supported by positive quotes received from parents and
staff.
We found through discussions with the manager, the service was well placed to meet
recommendations identified in this inspection report.
Areas for improvement
The provider identified the following areas for improvement in the service's self
assessment:
"To involve the Parents' Forum as a means to formalise our quality assurance
systems."
Staff informed that they received annual professional development reviews and could
approach management to discuss any issues that may arise. We discussed the
benefits of having regular one to one support meetings with individual staff as a
means of recording any issues, training requirements and as a means of
providing feedback on workplace practices. The manager informed of the open door
policy and agreed to review how staff appraisals are carried out.
We found the service had systems to monitor service improvements. On reading these
we found all areas monitored were completed, with no evidence showing how
procedures/practices were challenged or presented actions for improvement.
See Recommendation 1, Quality Theme 4, Quality Statement 4
Grade awarded for this statement: 4 - Good
Number of requirements: 0
Number of recommendations: 1
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 34 of 39
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Recommendations
1. Recommendation with reference to Quality Theme 4, Quality Statement 4
The manager should review the structure of monitoring systems to ensure
practices/procedures are meaningfully challenged to show actions for
improvement.
National Care Standards Early Education and childcare up to the age of 16:
Standard 14 - Management and leadership
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 35 of 39
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4 Other information
Complaints
No complaints have been upheld, or partially upheld, since the last inspection.
Enforcements
We have taken no enforcement action against this care service since the last
inspection.
Additional Information
n/a
Action Plan
Failure to submit an appropriate action plan within the required timescale, including
any agreed extension, where requirements and recommendations have been made,
will result in the Care Inspectorate re-grading a Quality Statement within the Quality
of Management and Leadership Theme (or for childminders, Quality of Staffing
Theme) as unsatisfactory (1). This will result in the Quality Theme being re-graded as
unsatisfactory (1).
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 36 of 39
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5 Summary of grades
Quality of Care and Support - 4 - Good
Statement 1
5 - Very Good
Statement 3
4 - Good
Quality of Environment - 4 - Good
Statement 1
5 - Very Good
Statement 2
4 - Good
Quality of Staffing - 5 - Very Good
Statement 1
5 - Very Good
Statement 3
5 - Very Good
Quality of Management and Leadership - 4 - Good
Statement 1
5 - Very Good
Statement 4
4 - Good
6 Inspection and grading history
Date
Type
Gradings
25 Apr 2012
Unannounced
Care and support
Environment
Staffing
Management and Leadership
5 - Very Good
5 - Very Good
6 - Excellent
6 - Excellent
27 Oct 2010
Unannounced
Care and support
Environment
Staffing
Management and Leadership
5 - Very Good
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
Not Assessed
16 Sep 2009
Unannounced
Care and support
Environment
Staffing
Management and Leadership
6 - Excellent
6 - Excellent
5 - Very Good
6 - Excellent
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 37 of 39
Inspection report continued
27 Sep 2008
Unannounced
Care and support
Environment
Staffing
Management and Leadership
5 - Very Good
5 - Very Good
5 - Very Good
5 - Very Good
All inspections and grades before 1 April 2011 are those reported by the former
regulator of care services, the Care Commission.
Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 38 of 39
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To find out more about our inspections and inspection reports
Read our leaflet 'How we inspect'. You can download it from our website or ask us to
send you a copy by telephoning us on 0845 600 9527.
This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can get more copies
of this report and others by downloading it from our website:
www.careinspectorate.com or by telephoning 0845 600 9527.
Translations and alternative formats
This inspection report is available in other languages and formats on request.
Telephone: 0845 600 9527
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Four Seasons At Spectrum, page 39 of 39