Levendale Under Fives Group

Levendale Under Fives Group Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

305960 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2007 Inspection date Donna Suzanne Lancaster Inspector

p.1

Mount Leven Road, Yarm, Cleveland, TS15 9RJ Setting Address

p.1

E-mail

Levendale Under Fives Group Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Sessional 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

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Levendale Under Fives Group has been registered for 30 years. The facility offers sessional day care and is registered to care for 26 children aged two to five years. It operates from a single storey building and has 1 large play room, a reception area, kitchen and toilet area. It is situated in the premises of Levendale Primary School in Yarm. There is access to a safe and enclosed outdoor play area. It serves children from the local and surrounding areas. The facility provides lunch time cover. Children bring packed lunches from home.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 58 children aged from two to school age on roll. The group do not offer places for funded children. Children can attend for a variety of sessions. The group is open Monday - Friday, from 08:40 to 12:40 school term time only. There are six staff members of which four have relevant qualifications.

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment which is maintained in a very warm and clean condition. Children are protected from the risk of infection due to appropriate cleaning and hygiene routines, such as equipment cleaning and nappy changing procedures and a clear sick child policy further protects children from cross-infection. There are clear procedures in place for the recording of accidents and medication administered to children and written consent of parents is requested to summon urgent medical treatment. Most staff have up to date knowledge of first aid practices. This means that children's health needs are fully met in the event of an emergency. Children independently attend to personal care needs through daily routines, such as hand-washing before snacks and after toileting. They know that washing hands stops the spreading of germs. Children enjoy regular opportunities for physical activity. There is a suitable

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

range of equipment, such as trikes and a climbing frame with a slide. Children regularly take part in musical activities indoors when the weather is not appropriate for outdoor play. The adjoining school play ground is used for summer sports day and charity walks.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet through topics and activities provided by staff. There are posters displayed around the play room of healthy foods. Snack times are social occasions when children sit together and talk to each other and staff about their day. Children are adequately nourished, they are offered a sweet biscuit and a drink of milk or water at snack time. This does not fully promote their good health, however, on occasions staff enhance their diet by offering a selection of fresh fruit. Children have good access to drinks, which are easily accessible, as well as after outdoor play when they are hot and tired out. Parents provide packed lunches for children who attend the lunch club, these are stored appropriately in the entrance area.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming environment where there is good evidence of their play and activity. Staff undertake daily safety checks which help ensure that the environment is hazard free to minimise the risk of accidents. The facility is secure so that children are not able to leave unsupervised. Staff closely and effectively monitor access and there are appropriate systems in place to ensure that children are collected only by named adults. Staff provide good levels of supervision, which enables children to safely access their toys.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a clearly defined procedure displayed, which outlines the fire emergency evacuation procedures. This is practised regularly by the staff and children, which further enhances children’s safety. Space and resources are organised effectively and children can move around freely, whilst independently accessing the facilities, activities and resources. These include a sand tray, books, jigsaws, role play, construction materials and a wide range of craft materials. All resources are clean, age appropriate and well maintained.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have good understanding of their role and responsibilities under child protection and procedures are in place in the event of an allegation against staff. This means that the welfare of children is protected.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the pre-school, they arrive happy and eager to participate. The staff provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere where children feel relaxed, confident and motivated. Close and caring relationships with staff increase the children's sense of trust. They are beginning to develop good relationships with each other. The play room is well presented with attractive displays of children's work and photographs. Children are able to choose from a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities at each session. For example, children use their imagination whilst playing hairdressers in the role play area. They enjoy organised activities, such as painting the individual coat hangers with their names on them. Children of all ages play well together, enjoy each others company and learn to share and show respect for others, as they play with the castle and fort in the construction area. Staff skilfully interact with children,

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

offering good levels of interaction, sitting with the children and engaging with them in conversation and play. This positively supports their developing confidence and self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff have good understanding of child development and use it to plan a varied and interesting range of activities which are adapted to meet the children's individual needs, the child's stage of development and their interests. They regularly discuss and evaluate the activities they provide to ensure that they are suitable, offer sufficient challenge and promote the children's development, allowing them to build on what they know and can do. Staff are aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, however, they do not use it to plan activities or record younger children's development and next steps in their learning.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children make free choices from all toys. They begin to become aware of differences within society as topics are planned on people in the community and children join in with the celebration of different festivals. For example, the children made lanterns for Chinese New Year and enjoyed Indian sweets at Diwali. They learn about different countries and their cultures, by dressing up and eating food from that country. Resources within the setting reflect positive images of race and gender which also supports and raises their awareness.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well due to the staff demonstrating themselves as good role models, displaying good manners and giving children high levels of attention. There is a clear policy for dealing with behaviour and bullying issues and this helps to promote children's self-esteem. The behaviour management techniques, whilst being consistently applied, are adapted to suit the different age groups, this results in a pleasant atmosphere and excellent relationships throughout the group.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. Parents receive clear information about all aspects of the group, including policies and procedures, in written and verbal forms. Relationships are relaxed and informal yet very professional. Parents particularly like the friendly, relaxed atmosphere, the open door policy and the consistency of the staff working in the group. Staff collect detailed information on children's individual needs before they attend the pre-school and work closely with parents to ensure that these are fully met. There is a parents notice board, coffee evenings, staff talk with parents daily and they receive regular newsletters.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the effective running of the group and the clear routines, which make them feel secure. The premises are purposefully converted and well laid out, with the areas used effectively to meet the needs of each age-group. The attractive displays of children's work and photographs enable the children to feel a sense of pride and ownership in the pre-school. There is a good range of resources which are invitingly arranged to maximise the opportunities for children to self select.

p.5

Organisation

The managers use appropriate induction procedures, however, recruitment procedures are still in the early stages and would benefit from further development to fully ensure that staff are appropriately vetted and suitable to work with children. Staff are aware of their role within the pre-school and they work well together to promote the effective running of the group. Good staff to child ratios are maintained at all times. Documentation is well organised and records detail the individual requirements of each child. The policies and procedures are in place to promote the safety and well-being of the children present in the group. However, Ofsted contact details are incorrect on some documentation.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the setting was required to ensure that the accident book was signed by parents and to ensure that children had access to fresh drinking water at all times. The setting now ensures that parents signature is obtained after recording accidents and that there is accessible fresh drinking water for children at all times, throughout the session. These improvements further enhances children safety and well-being.

p.5

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.5

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.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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):

p.5

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 • further promote younger children's development, for example, by using the 'Birth to three' framework to plan activities and record their next steps in learning • further develop the recruitment and vetting procedure to ensure all staff are appropriately vetted and suitable to work with children • ensure all documentation includes up to date contact numbers for Ofsted, for example, the complaints procedure and the parents' information sheet.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

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.6

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

p.6