Norbury Hall Infant School

Rolvenden Pre-School Inspection report for early years provision

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127503 Unique Reference Number 13 June 2007 Inspection date Clare Stone Inspector

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Rolvenden Village Hall, Rolvenden, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 4NE Setting Address

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E-mail

Rolvenden 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?

Rolvenden Pre-school opened in 1987. It operates from a purpose-built annexe attached to the village hall. Children have use of this room with its own enclosed outdoor area, plus occasional use of the large hall and kitchen. The group serves the local area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 23 children from two to five years on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group actively supports children with learning difficulties and is happy to accept children for whom English is an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are run from 09:00 until 12:00.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Five full time and some part time staff work with the children. The manager has an early years qualification. Two staff members are starting training programmes.

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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 the importance of good personal hygiene and children wash their hands after visiting the toilet. This prevents the spread of infection. Staff check the toilets for cleanliness throughout the morning and clean them as needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff gather good information regarding children's individual medical and dietary needs. This ensures children receive appropriate care. Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks including fresh fruit, toast, biscuits and raw vegetables. Staff encourage children to drink plenty especially in warm weather. However, they cannot help themselves to a drink when they want one.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children benefit from daily access to an outdoor area. This is fully resourced and children are able to face new challenges and take risks in a safe environment. They move confidently when riding the scooter and bikes. This helps build children's self esteem and confidence. Children also show enthusiasm when playing with the sand and water and look forward to seeing what there is to play with. Staff ensure the children are protected from the sun with hats and sun cream. This teaches children to take care of their bodies and the dangers of the sun.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children arrive and settle well. There are displays of the children's work showing the staff value the children's contributions. Children can move around freely and good supervision ensures their safety within the setting. Children have easy access to resources and equipment appropriate for their age. This ensures that children get maximum benefit from the activities they choose.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The security of the premises is good and children are unable to leave the setting without a suitable adult. Resources are checked regularly and thrown away if broken. This prevents children from becoming injured. The fire procedure is displayed and fire detection equipment is accessible around the building. Fire drills are practised regularly and as a result children are involved and know the emergency evacuation procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff have a good knowledge and share responsibility in safeguarding children. There is a child protection policy in place. However, this needs updating to include procedures to follow in the event of a member of staff being accused.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at playgroup and are achieving and progressing well. This is a result of the staff providing a stimulating and exciting curriculum for the children to follow. They are asked leading questions by staff to extend their knowledge and organise their thoughts. Younger children are given support to find their feet in this new environment, allowing them to feel secure. The staff are aware of Birth to three matters framework and are beginning to implement this in their planning for the younger 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 The quality of teaching and learning is good. Staff have a secure knowledge of the Foundation Stage and plan a daily programme of activities to cover the six areas of learning. They clearly identify and record children's achievements through observations and use these assessments to inform their planning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children concentrate well and show independence as they attend to their personal needs. They understand the need to share and take turns when playing together. Good support from staff means children behave well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident speakers and express themselves using good vocabulary. They listen well to stories and take turns when speaking in large and small groups. The use of story sacks helps keep children's interest and includes them in the story.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children count confidently using one number for each item. Children understand the concept of simple addition and subtraction when counting with adult supervision. They are learning to recognise simple shapes and patterns using beads and pegs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children investigate using their senses. They play listening and guessing games that encourage them to explore objects and sounds. Children use magnifying glasses to look at mini-beasts. They experiment using magnets and discover which objects float and sink. Although, there is a computer available the children do not access this on a regular basis. Therefore they are not being given the opportunity to learn basic hand and eye co-ordination skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff treat children with respect and use lots of praise and encouragement to promote their confidence and self esteem. As a result children feel good about themselves and learn to show respect for others. Well planned topics such as "Around the world" help children learn and understand other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties are well supported. The staff have attended relevant training and work on individual education plans to ensure all children benefit from the support they need. This also ensures children can take part in all activities and maximizes their enjoyment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and know the boundaries within the setting. Staff are good role models and praise good behaviour. This helps children learn right from wrong. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. Parents report that they are included in their children's development, and seek out advise from the staff. Parents help staff fill in initial assessments on their children and can regularly see their child's written development and observational notes. Information about the Foundation Stage and individual stepping stones is available and staff are happy to explain to parents how this works in relation to their child. There is a keyworker system in place, and parents know who their child's keyworker is. This ensures parents and carers have an appointed person to talk to with any concerns.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Leadership and management is good. The registered provider is made up of a committee of parents whose children attend the playgroup. The committee employ a manager to ensure the group is run in accordance with the Standards and Regulations. The space indoors and outside is well organised to ensure children are supervised at all times. Children are grouped and the keyworker system ensures appropriate support and care through out the morning. Good staffing ratios are maintained and staff work directly with children at all times.

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Organisation

There is an appraisal system in place which successfully identifies the staff's strengths and weaknesses and identifies training needs. Plans cover all areas of learning to ensure children receive a good balance across the six areas of learning. Staff work well as a team and know their responsibilities well. Although, all documentation is in place some policies and procedures need up dating.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the following recommendations were made:

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Improvements since the last inspection

1) Develop staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. Two staff have attended child protection training and cascaded this information to other members of the team.

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Improvements since the last inspection

2) Ensure all adult to child ratios are met at all times. This has now been resolved and the correct adult to child ratios are being met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

3) Ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The manager has increased the resources in this area.

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Improvements since the last inspection

4) Ensure that medical records are retained on site for at least two years. This is now being done.

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Improvements since the last inspection

5) Ensure that the action plan in place to meet the minimum requirement of 50% qualified staff at each session is met. All staff either hold a current early years qualification or are working towards one.

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Improvements since the last inspection

6) Include the contact details for Ofsted in the complaints policy. This has been done.

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Improvements since the last inspection

7) Produce a child protection policy, including the procedures to be followed in the event of allegations being made against a member of staff. This recommendation is partly completed. There is a policy in place but it needs updating with the correct procedures to follow in the event of allegations being made against a member of staff. This remains a recommendation.

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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 action in order to meet the National Standards. 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): • ensure children have access to drinking water at all times • ensure all policies and procedures are regularly updated and maintained

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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): • ensure children have regular access to the computer

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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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