Bancroft's School

Stithians Pre-School Playgroup

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Stithians Pre-School Playgroup

102875 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2006 Inspection date Nicola Jayne Pascoe Inspector

p.1

Stithians Pre-School Playgroup

The Village Hall, Church Road, Stithians, Truro, Cornwall, TR3 7DH Setting Address

p.1

E-mail

Stithians Pre School Committee Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Sessional care, Out of School care Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Stithians Pre-school Playgroup is a committee run group that opened in 1978. It operates from two rooms in Stithians Village Hall. It is situated in a rural area, adjacent to the village primary school. The village is centrally placed for the towns of Redruth, Falmouth, Penryn and Helston. A maximum of 24 children may attend the pre-school at any one time. The group opens five days a week during school term times. The sessions are from 09.00 to 11.45. The pre-school serves the local village community.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 24 children aged between two and five years old on roll. Of these,13 children receive funding for nursery education. The pre-school support children with learning difficulties/disabilities.

p.2

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 The setting employs five members of staff. All members of staff have early years qualifications. The setting receives support from the local authority and the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA).

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is promoted well as they follow good health and hygiene procedures. They wash their hands regularly and at appropriate times, for example, before snacks and after messy play. They spend a good amount of time lathering their hands before drying them carefully on individual paper towels, which they dispose of hygienically in the nearby bin. As a result of following such procedures, children are developing their understanding of the importance of maintaining high standards of health and hygiene. Children have use of clean toys and equipment. Children's medication is stored and administered appropriately. Medication records are shared with parents. All members of staff have completed paediatric first aid training which is updated as required. Accident records show that injuries are treated appropriately and that most parents are kept informed. However, some records have not been countersigned by

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

parents. Suitable procedures are followed to care for sick children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is promoted well. All children are able to play and explore outdoors regularly to enjoy fresh air and physical exercise. They ride bikes and cars on the large level playground area. Indoors children enjoy plenty of space and generally move confidently and with control. They eat healthy and nutritious snacks, such as different types of fruit which they bring from home to share. Staff also provide additional fruit to ensure that children receive a sufficient quantity for their needs. Food is stored appropriately and preparation areas are clean and hygienic. Fresh drinking water is readily available for all children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. All children benefit from the use of a safe and secure environment. Staff work hard to ensure that the premises are child-centred and suitable for children’s use, as the village hall is used by others when the pre-school is not in operation. Furniture, toys and equipment are stored away and set out at each session. This is managed effectively and safely. Rooms are well organised and provide comfortable areas for children to rest and play. Toys and resources are readily accessible to children, as they are kept in low storage units. The premises are spacious and stacked chairs are stored with their front to the wall, which enables children to move freely and safely indoors. Children, visitors and staff entering and leaving the premises are monitored effectively. There are appropriate systems in place to ensure that children are collected by authorised persons.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s awareness and confidence of fire evacuation procedures is promoted well through regular fire drill practise. Staff have developed and implemented a comprehensive written risk assessment. The premises and equipment are checked daily to ensure they are safe for children's use. Children are encouraged to be mindful of their own safety, as staff remind them that the

p.3

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 playground may be slippery due to fallen leaves. Children are closely and appropriately supervised at all times. Suitable child protection procedures are known to staff, who demonstrate confidence in their ability to identify, record and report concerns. These written procedures are shared appropriately with parents.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. All children attending the pre-school follow planned themes and activities. Younger children benefit from the use of the recently implemented Birth to three framework. Staff have recently developed their knowledge and understanding of this framework, through training delivered at the setting by the local authority Birth to three advisor. Older children follow the Foundation Stage curriculum, which has been linked to the Birth to three framework, which in turn enables all children to enjoy the same opportunities for play.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children are actively involved in a range of age appropriate and pleasurable activities. They enjoy time to play individually and as part of a group. They participate in a wide range of both self-initiated and planned activities. They choose to decorate the Christmas tree, wrap presents, complete puzzles, build and construct. A familiar daily routine is followed, but is not used effectively to promote children’s learning and to provide sufficient levels of challenge. Staff provide good levels of praise and encouragement. Most children are confident to initiate play and offer ideas and suggestions. Children freely and independently access a suitable and interesting range of toys, resources and tools

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Children follow a balanced range of planned and routine activities. However, consideration has not been given to ensuring that routine activities are used fully to promote children’s learning and development. Children's individual observation records do not contain sufficient levels of information in order to identify their individual areas for development.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are creative and enjoy a range of interesting daily craft activities, such as sensory corn flour play, dough, paint, printing, cutting and gluing. They participate wholeheartedly in the music and movement session, lying on their back and pedalling their legs in the air as they sing along. Children are making satisfactory levels of progress along the stepping stones. However, this progress is not monitored effectively in order to identify targets for children's future learning and development. As a result, children are not sufficiently or appropriately challenged. Key workers do not plan to provide suitable opportunities for children to learn and develop skills through the effective use of resources and appropriate methods of teaching. The outdoor learning environment is not effectively used to deliver specific opportunities for learning.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are competent in their use of information technology. They are developing their independence within the pre-school room. Resources are stored in low, storage units and toilet facilities are freely accessed.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children do not participate in sufficiently regular activities to scribe purposefully and to develop mathematical skills, in particular to solve everyday problems. Children are very well behaved, polite and kind to others. They listen and concentrate well at group discussion time when they discuss the days of the week, home experiences and the weather. All children are actively involved in tidying away at the end of the session.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have formed strong and trusting relationships with staff and other children. As a result, they are confident, settled and happy. Staff are good role models and children respond well to follow their examples. They demonstrate good manners and are respectful to others. Children explore and celebrate their own and different cultures, beliefs and abilities through planned activities. They also have free access to a suitable and sufficient range of resources and visual aids, which promote a positive awareness and understanding of people's differences. Children with learning difficulties are supported well and are fully included in all activities. The pre-school fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. Staff are very aware of the importance and value of sharing information regularly with parents, and of how this positively impacts on children's well-being at the pre-school. Information is shared verbally with parents at the beginning and end of each session. Children's progress records are shared formally on a regular basis. The parent notice board displays useful information and there is a good range of written policies, which are freely available to parents.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for by a appropriately qualified and committed staff team. Staff regularly attend further early years training courses. They are keen to ensure they deliver high standards of care and education. There is a newly appointed manager in place, who is working closely with the school reception teacher, pre-school staff and committee members, to develop and implement ongoing improvements. Children benefit from the staff's ability to provide a well-organised and safe environment. There are suitable contingency arrangements in place to provide emergency cover. A clear registration system shows that appropriate adult to child ratios are met at all times. Children's records and pre-school documentation is stored securely and confidentiality is maintained. Staff and committee members demonstrate a sound awareness of the importance of updating records regularly and of storing these records for an appropriate

p.5

Organisation

length of time. Support is actively sought and welcomed from the school, PLA and the local authority. Staff appraisals are used to monitor and assess the effectiveness of the setting.

p.5

Organisation

The leadership and management of the setting are satisfactory. The committee set clear direction and provide support for the newly appointed manager. The focus for improvement has initially been the Birth to three matters framework. This has been implemented well. However, the next area identified by staff and committee members for improvement, is the delivery of the Foundation Stage curriculum. A newly appointed head teacher at the school has initiated ideas

p.5

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 for the promotion of closer links with the pre-school. Pre-school children are currently included in some activities with the school reception class. Plans have recently been developed to provide further opportunities for the school and pre-school to work more closely together. The pre-school provision is generally managed and monitored well. There are appropriate levels of support for the newly appointed manager and staff. As a result, improvements are gradually being made and staff are developing their confidence in the delivery of both the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum. The pre-school promotes an inclusive environment in which every child matters. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the setting was judged to provide satisfactory care and good nursery education. The setting was required to improve the communication to Ofsted of significant changes and have since notified Ofsted of changes in staff and committee. They were to ensure the availability and use of required written documentation, which is to be shared appropriately with parents. All documentation is now available for inspection and most is shared appropriately with parents. The setting was also required to improve the staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. Suitable documentation is now in place and staff demonstrate confidence in their ability to manage concerns appropriately.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

The health, hygiene and safety practices within the setting and the opportunities provided for children to be sufficiently challenged, through varied play activities, both indoors and out were required to be improved. The staff are following suitable health and safety practises to maintain the premises to a suitable standard. Children are familiar and competent in their hygiene practice. However, children are not sufficiently challenged in their play and do not make full use of the outdoor area for learning.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

Also, they were required to introduce more effective use of daily routines and large group activities to reinforce learning across the curriculum. They have not implemented this practice effectively. Staff were required to provide children with regular opportunities to explore the sound of everyday objects and instruments and develop their repertoire of songs. Children are now enjoying singing and music and movement activities on a regular basis. Finally, staff were required to provide children with regular opportunities to improve their understanding and use of addition and subtraction through practical activities and discussion. There is no evidence to show that this has been implemented effectively.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

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.

p.6

Complaints 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

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.7

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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

p.7

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

p.7

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): • ensure that all accident records are shared appropriately with parents

p.7

The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop the use of daily routine activities and of the outdoor environment, to effectively promote children's learning in all areas, in particular the development of purposeful mark marking, mathematics and problem solving skills • develop the use of children's individual observation and assessment records to identify appropriate individual targets, which are linked to future planned activities, to ensure that all children receive suitably challenging opportunities to make progress.

p.7

The quality and standards of the nursery education

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.7

The quality and standards of the nursery education

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

p.7