Holden Park Pre-School

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. Holden Park Pre-School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY307672 Inspection date 01/07/2009 Inspector June Fielden

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Setting address Holden Park Gospel Hall, Rear of 61 Prospect Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 0EH Telephone number 01892 520626 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 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).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Holden Park Pre-School is run by Holden Park Pre-School Limited. It opened in 2005 and operates from a converted chapel in Southborough. Children have access to a small secure outdoor play area. The pre-school is situated in a residential area. It is open each weekday during term time from 09.15 to 15.15. The out of school club runs from 15.30 to 17.30 and when there is sufficient demand the breakfast club operates from 08.00 to 09.00 during term time. The holiday club is open from 08.00 to 17.30 Monday, Wednesday and Friday during school holidays, if there is sufficient demand. Children from the pre-school may also attend the breakfast club, after school sessions and holiday club.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 26 children may attend the provision at any one time. There are currently 80 children aged between two and the end of the early years age range on roll in the pre-school. The provision is also registered with Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. In the out of school club and holiday club there are variable numbers of children under eight years on roll, and children aged up to 12 years may also attend. The setting currently supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

There are 13 members of staff working with the children, nine of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications to at least NVQ at level 2. The pre-school provides funded early years education for three and four-year-olds.

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Description of the setting

The breakfast club and out of school holiday club have not inspected as they were not operating at the time of the inspection.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Staff in each group within the provision have a good understanding of children's individual needs and strive to promote their welfare and learning. There is an effective partnership with parents and others involved in children's care. Children in each group within the provision are happy to participate in the activities on offer, and staff raise their awareness of different cultures and the world around them. Staff are aware of some of the settings main strengths and areas for further development. There is a breach of a specific welfare requirement relating to documentation, but this does not have a significant impact on the provision.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop the system for planning, observing and assessing children in the out of school club and the holiday club  make sure that documents such as policies and procedures are stored in an organised manner to ensure that they are more easily accessible to parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and staff

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that the hours of children's attendance are recorded (Documentation) (this also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 12/07/2009

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provision

Staff have an appropriate understanding of how to protect children from harm. All the required policies are in place, including safeguarding, which includes information on the procedure to be followed in the event of a member of staff being accused of abuse. The same policies apply to all groups within the provision, with some additional ones for the out of school club. The necessary information is kept to ensure that the needs of all children attending the provision are met. Although the paperwork is not always stored in a manner that makes it easily accessible to staff and parents. Staff are appropriately qualified and satisfactory contingency arrangements are organised to cover for any who are absent. Annual appraisals ensure that their training needs are identified and regular staff meetings are held to discuss planning, and to enable staff to exchange information. They identify their strengths as their partnership with parents and the local school, and

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provision

the variety of activities they provide for children. The provision has successfully addressed all of the recommendations made at their last inspection, including the introduction of planning and appropriate activities in the out of school club. Staff have also implemented other changes, such as rearranging the layout of the provision, thereby ensuring that continuous improvement is taking place. Staff provide support for children with English as an additional language and seek advice from outside agencies to ensure that they make progress in their learning and development. Children's attendance at the provision is recorded, but not the hours they attend, as required by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Although staff ensure children's welfare by making sure that they are unable to leave the provision unsupervised, hold regular fire drills, and make frequent head counts when they walk them to and from the local school.

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provision

Parents of children attending the provision have their own notice board, effectively providing them with a variety of useful information. This includes the provisions certificate of registration and a poster to make them aware of how they can contact Ofsted. Parents are pleased with the care and learning provided for children. Some of the children attending the pre-school also stay at the provision for the after school club, and parents believe that their children are happy to remain in their care all day. Parents are provided with information about the EYFS, including the learning and development requirements. A suggestion book is available to the parents of all children attending the provision, and their ideas, such as installing a bell for them to use are implemented by staff. The development records of children attending the pre-school are available to their parents at any time. Staff speak to parents of children attending the after school

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 club and the holiday club daily to inform them of their child's progress. The planning is displayed for parents inside the setting. Each term parents of children attending the pre-school are invited to spend some time at the setting sharing books with the children. They can also talk to the group if there is something in particular they wish to share with them, such as information about their work. The provision has good links with other settings that children attend, including the local school, where they have permission to use some of their facilities, such as the outdoor areas for exercise. The pre-school also have their group photograph taken in the grounds of the school. Teachers from this school visit the pre-school to meet the children that are due to transfer to them, and staff pass on relevant information about them. Many of the children that attend the out of school club

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provision

and the holiday club also come from the school, and there is liaison between these groups and staff at the school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children attending the pre-school, out of school care and the holiday club are provided with activities that cover all areas of learning. Effective weekly planning is in place and staff observe and assess the children. Although the systems for this at the out of school club and holiday club are not as advanced as they are for the pre-school, and staff intend developing these further. There is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities and staff find out about children's starting points when they first attend the provision. Observations for children attending the pre-school are regularly recorded by their key person and they complete their development plans. These show children's achievements in each area of learning, their next steps, and suggested activities to do at home to involve parents. Children at the pre-school quickly engage in activities when they arrive at the setting and show confidence when they approach adults to ask them questions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff develop children's language skills as they hold imaginary telephone conversations with them. They also hold exercise sessions with children, when they copy staff in performing star jumps, stretches and push-ups. Children are provided with opportunities to develop their creativity as they play in the wet area, use the role play equipment and the malleable materials that are available to them. One child working with a member of staff is able to identify shapes by name and colour, and can point to a red triangle.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children wash their hands before they eat and use liquid soap and paper towels to avoid the risk of cross contamination. After exercising, children at the pre-school are asked to feel how quickly their hearts are beating, and through discussion staff make them aware of the benefits of physical activity. Staff have an effective understanding of how to ensure that all groups within the provision eat a balanced diet. Children in the pre-school are offered healthy snacks, such as bread sticks and a variety of fruit. Water is available to them at all times to ensure they are not thirsty. Staff provide children attending the out of school club with food, such as toast, salad and yoghurts at tea time. Children that eat lunch at the provision bring their own food, and staff monitor what they eat to ensure that it is healthy. The hall that the children use is divided into several areas by small cupboards and shelf

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

units, and staff have created a cosy book corner in a large alcove area. There is an appropriate range of toys that are suitable for all children attending the provision. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 A variety of activities are set out each day for the pre-school children, and they move around freely selecting other resources for themselves. Children at the out of school groups develop their independence further by getting out most of the equipment for themselves. Safety measures, such as ensuring that the doors are locked when children are present, and risk assessments, including written ones for visits are in place. Staff at all of the groups within the provision have an effective understanding of behaviour management and have attended training in this subject, to ensure that they all approach any issues in the same manner. Staff play games with children to get them to take turns and cooperate with each other.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They use a sand timer to resolve some of the problems related to sharing with the pre-school children, as they learn that it will be their turn when all the sand has drained from the top of the timer. 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

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is 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? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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 B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Documentation) 12/07/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Documentation) 12/07/2009

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