Walbottle Village Primary School

Stepping Stones Pre-school Inspection report for early years provision

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108448 Unique Reference Number 02 May 2007 Inspection date Patricia Jane Daniels Inspector

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Upper Church Rooms, Oxford Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 5DU Setting Address

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E-mail

Stepping Stones Pre-School Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Sessional care Type of 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

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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?

Stepping Stones Pre-school opened in 1985. It operates from the first floor of Clewer St Stephen's Church hall in Windsor, and serves the local area. A secure outdoor play area is available for children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 40 children aged from two to five years on roll. This includes 35 funded children. The setting is able to support children who have learning difficulties and those who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The pre-school is open from 09:00 until 12:00, Monday to Friday and from 12:30 until 15:00 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The group continues through the summer holidays on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 until 13:00.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Four members of staff work with the children. Three of the staff have early years' qualifications. The pre-school receives support from the Local Authority.

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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 personal hygiene through routines and reminders from staff. For example, they wash their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. Notices are displayed in the toilet area to remind children to do this independently. Staff keep all areas clean and follow good practice to prevent the spread of infection. Written parental consent is in place to administer medication, ensuring that children receive treatment in line with parents' wishes. Four staff have training in first aid for children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children and staff sit together and talk at snack time, making it a social event. Children are provided with healthy snacks, such as wholemeal toast or a selection of fruit. Staff make sure that any allergies are considered, so that children's dietary needs are met. Drinking water is always available for children to help themselves, so they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play in the outdoor area every day when the weather permits. They develop their physical skills using the equipment provided. They pedal bikes, scoot along on the scooters and run around. Children have opportunities for physical play indoors and enjoy climbing up the frame and sliding down in a variety of ways. They develop their coordination by using paintbrushes, scissors and pencils with varying degrees of control.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff make good use of the available space to provide an interesting variety of play areas that are inviting for children. There are posters, mobiles and displays of children's artwork to make the atmosphere welcoming for children and adults. All areas are well maintained and children move around and play safely. Children choose from a wide range of resources during the free play sessions and enjoy investigating the toys and equipment. These are carefully selected to be safe and cater for all areas of play and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A written risk assessment is in place and regular daily checks are undertaken to ensure the continuing safety of the children. The premises are secure, with a doorbell entry system to prevent unwanted access. Staff make sure that children can safely enjoy challenges during their physical play and help them to develop an awareness of safety. For example, children are told to 'hold tight with two hands when you climb'. Frequent fire drills ensure that all staff and children experience the procedure and learn how to evacuate the building in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the staff have good understanding of the possible indicators of abuse and the procedures to take if they have concerns. All parents sign to acknowledge that they have read and understood the child protection policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children come eagerly into the group and immediately begin investigating the range of activities provided. They become absorbed in their play and staff make sure that everyone is occupied and involved. Children enjoy their play and are proud of what they achieve. Some children organise their own games with their peers; others seek support from staff. Young children

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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 initially start in the afternoon session, which has fewer children. This helps them to feel secure and settle quickly. The organisation of snack time is a minor weakness because children spend periods waiting. Generally, the atmosphere is vibrant and the children are independent and confident.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Staff understand the Foundation Stage Curriculum and provide a well-balanced range of activities to support the children's learning. Observations of children are recorded and used to plan for the next steps in their learning. Activities are planned to consolidate the children's learning. For example, children bring items for the interest table from home, which begin with the 'letter of the week'. Stories and songs are selected to reflect this. Staff support and extend children's learning within the activities provided, so that the children learn through their experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children speak freely in small and large groups and confidently ask questions. Themed activities such as 'letter of the week' help them to link sounds to letters. Staff provide opportunities for children to make marks and practise their emerging writing skills. Children enjoy listening to stories and they help themselves to books, which they look at with their peers. Daily routines encourage children to develop understanding of numbers. For example, children enjoy rote counting the mats presented for them to sit on at circle time. They play games that encourage them to count and learn to identify a variety of shapes. Children use mathematical language during their play. For example, a child says 'little nose, big mouth' descriptively, then goes on to count the number of children seated at the table.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use the computer freely. Many have good mouse control and can complete a variety of programmes independently. They talk about the days of the week and the date at circle time, which helps them to develop understanding of time passing. Visitors to the group help children to learn about different roles in society and the opportunity to view a range of unusual insects creates much interest. Children dig and plant in the garden, they grow vegetables from seeds and hunt for bugs under the log.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy daily craft activities, although these tend to be directed by staff so that a specific object is made. The children enjoy investigating the effects of mixing paint together and painting pictures. They play imaginatively with their peers and use their imagination to express themselves through dance. Children enjoy singing and have regular opportunities to investigate the sounds made by musical instruments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff have a good understanding of children's needs and preferences because they seek this information from parents initially and keep up to date with any changes. Each child has a named coat peg and tray, which helps them develop a sense of belonging within the group. Young children who are new to the group can bring in a special comforter to help them feel secure. All children are included within the group and are treated with courtesy and respect. There are books, posters and toys that reflect the diversity within our society and activities are planned to help children learn about different cultures. Systems are in place to provide support for children who have learning difficulties.

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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 Children are well behaved. They benefit from the positive strategies used by staff to help them learn right from wrong. They learn to share, to take turns and to have some responsibilities such as helping to tidy up. Staff praise children for their achievements and divert them from any unwanted behaviour. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. Parents are happy with the service that the group provides and feel that staff are friendly and approachable. Parents receive information about all aspects of the group, including policies, procedures and nursery education. Termly progress sheets are sent home for parents to share; they add their own comments about their children's achievements. Parents' evenings are held, when the group offers them opportunities to take part in the activities that their children enjoy. The regular sharing of information about children's development promotes their progress and continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. A thorough recruitment programme ensures that staff are suitable to work with children. The induction system for new staff ensures that they understand and follow the group's policies and procedures. An appraisal system ensures the ongoing suitability of staff and identifies training needs. All staff are expected to attend regular training to support their professional development.

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Organisation

Staff understand their roles and provide a well-organised environment, which supports the children and promotes their learning. The key worker system ensures that staff have good understanding of individual children. The comprehensive range of policies and procedures are understood by all staff and reviewed annually. Regulatory requirements are met and all documentation relating to children's health, safety and welfare is well maintained. The group meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Leadership and management are good. Staff meet to evaluate the previous activities and make plans for the next week, so that children have a stimulating and well-balanced programme. The group continuously evaluate practice and make improvements. For example, a new system of planning has recently been introduced so that learning objectives for each child are clearer. The committed, positive attitude of the staff helps children to make good progress towards the early learning goals.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, Ofsted requested that the provider should improve staff understanding of the Foundation Stage Curriculum. All staff have had in house training and now make observations and plans that are directly linked to the stepping-stones. This has improved staff understanding. Ofsted also requested that the provider should consider methods of promoting healthy eating at snack time. Children receive a healthy, nutritious snack menu, which has improved the standard of their care.

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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.

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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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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

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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): • refine the routine at snack time so that children do not spend periods of time waiting for the next activity.

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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): • provide opportunities for children to freely select craft items.

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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

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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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