Old Fallings Playgroup

Old Fallings Playgroup

Inspection report for early years provision

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Old Fallings Playgroup

Unique Reference Number 224931 Inspection date 09 March 2006 Inspector Patricia Dawes

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Old Fallings Playgroup

Setting Address United Reform Church, Old Fallings Lane Low Hill, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 8BY Telephone number U/A

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E-mail

Registered person Old Fallings Park Playgroup Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Sessional care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Old Fallings Playgroup was opened in 1970. It operates from the Old Fallings United Reformed Church Hall. The playgroup serves the local area. The group is registered for 25 children aged between 2 and 5 years old. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The playgroup opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:00 until 11:30.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Seven staff members work with the children. Three of them are N.N.E.B. qualified. The group is supported by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where their individual needs are well met. They are protected from illness by the staff’s pro- active approach to preventing cross contamination and infection through the use of good hygiene practices; however written parental consent for emergency medical treatment is not sought which is unsupportive with regard to children’s care and well being. Staff consistently encourage children to become proficient in their own personal care routines. Children benefit from an effective, planned daily routine which allows time for exploring, testing and developing physical control. They experience a broad range of exciting physical activities that promote their understanding of how to stay healthy and active, such as using indoor play equipment and balls, music and movement indoors. Children know when they need a drink or a rest. Children take pleasure in developing their social skills during snack-time because

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Helping children to be healthy

time is given for them to enjoy their food and interact well with staff and other children talking about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods, likes’, and dislikes. Children help themselves to easily accessible drinking water throughout the session and enjoy toast and fresh fruit regularly as a healthy alternative to crisps and biscuits at snack- time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming setting that is suitable for the purpose and has good facilities. They are kept safe as regular visual risk assessments are carried out to ensure a safe environment is maintained. Safety procedures are effectively implemented and documented with regard to fire evacuation procedures. Children are able to develop an understanding of how to keep safe, for example, staff explain why they must not run in the playroom. Children have sufficient independent access to the range of toys and resources to meet their individual needs. They are grouped appropriately helping them to become comfortable and familiar with their environment. There is a good selection of suitable, safe, high quality resources available throughout the setting. Children are sufficiently protected due to staff attending training to develop and secure their knowledge of their roles and responsibilities within child protection. A

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

written policy is in place which is shared with parents; however the policy and procedure has not been reviewed and updated to demonstrate how staff ensure children’s welfare is fully safeguarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children arrive happily and settle quickly into the environment showing confidence and eagerness to play and learn. Close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self-worth. Children enjoy their time in the setting and are beginning to progress because staff are very skilled and use their experience well to develop children’s social skills. Staff demonstrate a positive understanding of how activities are adapted to ensure that all children can participate. They are in the process of implementing the 'Birth to three matters' framework to enable them to plan more effectively for children under 3 years. Children are adequately supported in their learning by staff providing familiar daily routines and a balanced range of activities such as sand play, role play, painting, and completing jigsaws. Staff provide ample opportunities to enable children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to make choices, such as selecting their own play resources. Staff interact well with children, offer praise and encouragement to help boost their confidence and develop self-esteem. Children eagerly initiate conversations with staff and talk with enthusiasm about what they have done. Staff are positive and respectful to all children and they value what each child has to offer. Children are listened to and their language and communication skills are consistently encouraged by staff that challenge and respond well to their questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are made thoroughly welcome and staff are supportive in ensuring each child's individual needs are met, and their time is spent purposefully. Each child is valued and included in every aspect of the daily routine. Children are able to make choices in their play which promotes their independence well, and ensures they are interested in what they do. They have good opportunities to learn about themselves and others in the wider community. Resources and activities offered are meaningful, stimulating and fun; however resources which actively promote culture and disability are lacking, this does not allow children to fully develop an understanding of the wider world. Children's behaviour is well managed due to the clear boundaries and positive role models set by the staff. Effective strategies and written policies are in place, which are displayed and discussed with parents to promote consistency. Children are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

beginning to understand the difference between right and wrong and this is continually reinforced through daily routines and practices such as showing care and consideration for others and helping to tidy away toys after use. Children’s individual needs are well met because staff are positive, professional and friendly. There are effective systems in place to develop positive relationships with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 parents to encourage involvement and information sharing. Parents receive a small booklet containing information regarding policies and procedures of the setting, and information displayed in the foyer. This has a positive impact on ensuring children’s needs are well met, and parent’s wishes are respected.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The organisation of routines and activities are reasonably well planned, in order to ensure children's needs are met. Children are given acceptable support as staff are adequately deployed and space and resources are well organised. Children's health is promoted as records are adequately maintained. Children benefit from the care of staff who are generally well motivated. Adequate systems are in place to ensure parents are kept well informed about the provision. They receive a prospectus which gives information outlining the staff group, times of opening, aims and objectives and policies yet these have not been reviewed and updated in line with current legislation or to clearly demonstrate how good practice is implemented. Most records are maintained, however some are not written such as risk assessments, parental consents for emergency treatment, format for the complaint

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Organisation

log. Policies and procedures have not been regularly reviewed and updated such as the child protection, equal opportunities and parental complaints. All of this has the potential to impact on children’s health, safety and well-being. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous care inspection some improvements have been made which have a positive impact on children’s care, safety and well-being. The registered person now ensures qualified staffing ratios are met. An accurate record of attendance for children, staff, students and visitors is now maintained and the accident record has been up-dated to include all the required information. Children’s safety is improved by the use of guards on the wall heaters making them safe and inaccessible to children. A written statement of procedure to be followed in the event of a fire is now displayed and shared with parents. Requests for additional resources from the toy library will ensure children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. These are soon to be delivered. However the equal opportunities and complaints policies are not consistent with

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Improvements since the last inspection

current guidance, and as a result these potentially impact on the care, well being and safety of the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide a suitable range of resources and activities to promote positive images of culture and disability • ensure all relevant records, policies and procedures relating to day-care activities are regularly reviewed and updated in line with current guidance.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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