Little Rascals Pre-School

Little Rascals Pre-School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Little Rascals Pre-School

EY339482 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2007 Inspection date Caroline Preston Inspector

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Little Rascals Pre-School

Whybridge Infant School, Ford Lane, RAINHAM, Essex, RM13 7AR Setting Address

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Little Rascals Pre-School

01708 550217 Telephone number cdkj@bacon950.fsnet.co.uk E-mail Little Rascals Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Sessional care Type of care

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Little Rascals Pre-School

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

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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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Little Rascals opened in 2005 and operates from Weybridge infants school. It is situated in Rainham in the London borough of Havering. A maximum of 26 children may attend the pre-school at any one time. The pre-school is open each weekday from 09:00 to 11:30 and 12:30 to 15:00 term time only. All children share access to a secure outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 62 children aged from two to under five years on roll. Of these, 35 children receive funding for early education. The pre-school employs six staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about the importance of their own personal hygiene. They use freely the well maintained bathroom between the two classrooms. Children wash their hands after using the toilet and before and after eating. Staff follow good hygiene practices, they ensure the tables are clean before children sit down to eat. Displayed in the bathroom at children’s height are posters promoting handwashing. Therefore children learn about maintaining their own hygiene and reducing the risk of cross infection. All staff are qualified in first aid, so would be able to manage any accidents that occur, so that children’s health needs are met. The administration of medication is carefully recorded by staff ensuring children are always given the correct dosage.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy choices of snacks including; grapes, fruit, salads and bagels. The organisation of snack time is good; children sit together in small groups throughout the session until all have eaten. The ongoing snack time, works well, children are able to develop opportunities to be independent. They butter their own bagels, choose what they want to eat, serve themselves, and enjoy relaxed sociable mealtimes. Children have daily opportunities to use the well resourced school playground, where they use bikes, buggies and climbing equipment. They develop their large motor muscles well, by running, jumping and skipping. They also move freely between the two classrooms, moving across a large space, choosing a variety of well planned activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have the use of two classrooms, where they freely self-select a good range of play resources and activities and interact well with each other and staff. The premises are within a school site, which is fully enclosed and safe. The setting is well maintained, bright and child friendly. Risk assessments are carried out daily to ensure the safety of children, staff supervise children closely and ratios are always maintained. All fire precautions are in place, which means children’s health is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have daily access to a good range of play resources that are varied age and stage appropriate, well made and safe. All play resources are stored at child’s height, also easily accessible and attractive in low-level drawers. Children are protected from harm by a knowledgeable staff team, who have a good understanding of child protection issues and know how to implement procedures should the need arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make good use of the well resourced and relaxed environment. All children access their own play experiences; staff are on hand to support and teach children. Staff have good relationships with children, they sit with them in small groups for both planned and unplanned

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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 activities. Staff work with younger and older keyworker groups, building relationships and promoting children’s areas of development. Children freely experience the wide and varied range of activities set out in both classrooms, therefore making choices and developing their growing independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Staff have a good understanding and knowledge of the Foundation Stage and how to plan and meet children’s needs. They have clear systems in place to observe children individually, so that they can plan activities and experiences around each child’s rate of knowledge and development. Therefore each child’s next steps are planned for within the planning of activities by keyworkers. There are resources available to promote children’s information communication and technology skills through the use of the two computers in the classrooms, however they are currently not working, and therefore missed opportunities occur daily. The layout of the pre-school is good because children have plenty of space to learn from a good range of activities such as; the well resourced book corner. The carpet area allows for board games, construction and floor activities. Children make good use

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of the role play area, and the range of dressing up clothes, they learn about mathematics and make visits to the local library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s behaviour is good. They play well together, taking turns, showing respect for each other. They follow the instructions of staff, for example; tidying away play resources, putting their own coats on and lining up at the door before going out to play. Children celebrate a range of festivals to understand diversity within society, however too few toys reflect society, which limits a better understanding. Children are given equal access to all toys regardless of gender. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. There are currently no children attending the pre-school with learning difficulties; however there is a good system in place to support children with any differences. Parents speak to staff on a daily basis exchanging relevant information about their child. They have access to a parents’ notice board which displays policies and procedures, and all necessary information.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. The pre-school has sound systems in place to inform parents about their child’s development in all curriculum areas. They receive good written information about the all areas of the curriculum in the parents prospectus, topics covered and dates for parents’ meetings. Newsletters are sent out termly informing parents of future events and how parents can support their children in topic work at home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the pre-school’s sound organisation and daily routines. The setting runs both a morning and afternoon session; each session has a clear written routine that staff follow. This includes; freeplay, keyworker time, snack time, large physical play, and circle time. All staff

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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 are suitable because they have undergone suitability checks, so are safe and qualified to care for children. Staff are good role models who teach children right from wrong and treat each other with respect. All staff work well in a team and communicate daily, in order to meet the needs of the children who attend.

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Organisation

Leadership and management are good. Strong leadership ensures that children’s next steps are monitored and evaluated by staff and appropriate activities planned. Observations are carried out by staff on children to develop and stimulate individual children in all areas of the curriculum. The manager evaluates the nursery education regularly to ensure children benefit. Staff attend appropriate training, therefore the education they offer children is good. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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.

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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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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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 range of play resources that promote anti-discriminatory practice and diversity.

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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): • plan and develop time for children to have access to information and technology play resources available.

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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 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

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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

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