Eldene Pre-School & Toddlers

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Eldene Pre School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 507879 Inspection date 21/09/2008 Inspector Rachel Edwards

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Setting address Eldene Centre, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN3 3RZ

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Telephone number 01793 488802 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10). This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Eldene Pre-School opened in 1979. It is managed by a voluntary committee of parents. The provider is on the Early Years Register. It operates from two rooms within the Eldene Community Centre. All children share access to a secure, enclosed outdoor play area. There is access for wheelchairs into the building and a toilet for the disabled. The group opens five days a week during school term time. Sessions are from 09.00 until 11.30 and 12.45 until 15.15 each weekday. In addition, the group offers a lunch club. A maximum of 53 children aged from two to five years may attend the provision at any one time.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 61 children on roll. Of these, 47 children receive funding for early education. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The pre-school employs nine staff to work with the children. Of these, four hold early years qualifications at level 3. Most other staff hold lower level qualifications and are working towards a higher level.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time at this pre-school and make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. However they are at risk of harm as staff do not effectively identify and take action to minimise hazards. The pre-school is inclusive and staff provide a warm and friendly welcome to all families and their children and strives to meet their individual needs. They generally work effectively with parents and others involved in the care of the children and they have established good links with the adjacent primary school. The pre-school has not been effectively evaluating its practice but now receives regular support from the local authority early years team, who have helped draw up action plans for future developments that will improve experiences for children who attend.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 ensure that risk assessments of the premises both indoors and outside, are effectively carried out and action is taken to minimise hazards to children, particularly in regard to checking the outdoor area and children's access to fire exits (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 24/10/2008  ensure all members of the committee have submitted disclosure application forms to Ofsted (Suitability of adults) 24/10/2008 To improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  take steps to prevent the spread of infection by ensuring the premises is clean and that staff follow hygienic procedures when handling food and cleaning children's hands before eating  ensure that all staff and parents contribute to the ongoing assessments of children's progress and that staff share and use this information to plan interesting and appropriately challenging learning experiences for each child

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further?

across all areas of the curriculum  provide more opportunities to develop children's skills in communicating, speaking and listening and their enjoyment of books

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provision

Staff do not effectively assess and minimise risks to children so they are at risk of harm. Staff generally work well together and demonstrate a strong commitment to further training and raising the standard of care and learning. However, they do not regularly meet to ensure that they are well informed about all aspects of the provision and procedures to follow nor to discuss individual children's needs and achievements. There are rigorous systems in place to ensure adults working with children are suitable to do so but the group has not been proactive in ensuring all members of the committee have undergone the required checks.

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provision

The pre-school receives regular support from the local authority development worker and advisory teacher and they have been part of a Surestart programme to help identify areas for development. They now have an action plan with timescales in place to address the weaker areas of the provision and to further develop stronger areas.

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provision

The pre-school has a satisfactory partnership with parents, who speak positively of the care and education that their children receive. They have the opportunity to talk to staff informally each day and to attend arranged meetings to discuss their children's progress. However, parents are not encouraged to share what they know about their children nor to regularly contribute to their developmental records so a complete picture is not built. The group supports children with additional needs well and works closely with others involved in their care, such as speech therapists to help children make satisfactory progress. The pre-school is developing its links with the adjacent primary school which helps children to make a smooth transition into the reception class.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Most children are happy and settled and enjoy the time they spend at this pre- school. The warm and caring staff give good support to less confident children. The staff have worked hard to create an environment where children can play independently and choose what they would like to play with and whether to be indoors or outside. This is particularly commendable as they have to pack away everything at the end of each day. However, some areas, such as the book corner This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are not attractively presented to encourage children to use them more frequently. Children, especially the more boisterous, benefit from being able to play outside at any time, choosing from a wide range of activities that cover all areas of learning. However, staff do not effectively check and remove outdoor hazards, such as bottles, cans and cigarette ends before the children go out so they are in danger of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

seriously hurting themselves. Staff demonstrate poor safety awareness at other times, for example, leaving children unattended in a room where the fire exit, which can be opened by children, leads to a dangerous and insecure area.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff achieve a suitable balance between activities that they lead and those that children organise themselves. Staff generally interact satisfactorily with children, encouraging them to think and try new experiences, for example, they ask children how to make paint thicker and allow them time to experiment with this. However, staff do not routinely encourage children to speak and listen in small and large groups, such as at snack time. Staff observe and record principally their own key children's achievements but they do not regularly meet to discuss all children's progress and hence do not always pitch their questions at the right level to help each child move on to the next stage. Overall children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development, given their abilities and starting points. They are becoming confident, independent learners who can play and interact positively with others. Children generally behave well and staff sensitively and promptly deal with

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about healthy living, as they take plenty of exercise and enjoy the range of healthy snacks that are provided. They wash their plates and cups after snack and they are taught the importance of washing their hands. However, a bowl of shared water is used before eating, which is not hygienic. Additionally, staff preparing food do not practise good personal hygiene, which increases the risk of cross infection and does not provide a good role model for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Satisfactory The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Inadequate

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Inadequate

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Inadequate

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Inadequate How well are children helped to be healthy? Satisfactory How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Satisfactory How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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Detail of the complaint/s

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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