First Steps Orrishmere Pre-SchoolOfsted inspection, 3 Nov 2009

First Steps Orrishmere Pre-School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 307139 Inspection date 03/11/2009 Inspector Angela Cuffe

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Setting address Scout Headquarters, Warwick Close, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, SK8 5NN Telephone number 07956 250570 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as

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you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

First Steps Pre-School was registered in 1992. It operates from the scout headquarters on a residential area on the outskirts of Stockport. Children have access to an enclosed outdoor play area. It is open Monday to Thursday from 9.15am until 3.30pm and 9.15am until 11.45am on Friday.

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Description of the setting

The Pre-School is registered on the Early Years Register. A maximum of 20 children may attend at any one time. There are currently 32 children aged from two and a half to under five years on roll, some in part-time places.

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Description of the setting

There are eight members of staff, seven of whom hold early years qualifications to at least level 2. The setting receives support from Sure Start and provides funded early education for three and four-year-olds.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming and well organised environment. Staff have a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements, which ensures children's care and learning is appropriately maintained. Children are well settled and secure and enjoy learning about the world around them. Children's welfare needs are met well as the staff establish positive links with parents and share information appropriately with them, they attend training on a regular basis and are all either qualified or working towards an appropriate qualification. The manager has recently begun to reflect on the service she provides and has clearly identified areas for further improvement, which particularly focuses on the organisation of the equipment and future development of the outside area. The recommendation raised at the last inspection has been successfully addressed.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep a daily record of the children looked after including their hours of attendance (Documentation). 26/11/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the organisation of furniture and equipment for children to ensure that they are able to make independent choices. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The manager and staff have a good understanding of child protection and their responsibilities if they are concerned about a child's welfare. They are confident to follow procedures and link with other agencies to ensure children are safe. A comprehensive child protection policy is shared with all staff and parents to keep them informed of their responsibilities. Detailed risk assessments on the premises, and also for outings, ensure that safety is continually monitored and reviewed. Fire drills are practised regularly, which ensures children understand what to do should the need to evacuate the premises arise. All required records and documentation are in place. However, the times of arrival and departure of each child is not recorded, which is a breach of regulations.

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the early years provision

Staff actively promote equality and diversity in their practice to ensure all children have a good understanding of the way other people live. Resources are of good quality and are stored within easy reach of the children. The manager and staff work in partnership with parents and outside agencies to ensure specific learning programmes are used effectively to enhance children's development. Parents provide positive feedback and are complimentary about the care their children receive. Continuity of care for the children is enhanced as the staff develop positive links with other provisions children attend.

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the early years provision

Resources are well maintained, clearly organised and are easily accessible to children which fosters their choice and independence. Nevertheless, the computer is on an adult sized desk with a child sized chair, which limits children's ability to freely use the computer. The staff team have a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. An effective key worker system is in place, which impacts on the observation and assessment of the children. Observations are carried out on a regular basis; these are then linked to the six areas of learning, each child's next steps and the overall planning which has a positive impact on the learning and development each child receives. Most staff have an early years qualification and all attend regular relevant training. The group have recently applied for a quality and access grant and plan to use this to develop the use of the outside area and introduce more equipment into the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and well settled. The staff team are caring and supportive, which enables children to feel safe and secure and form trusting relationships. Emphasis is placed on children learning through play, exploration and fun. A varied range of stimulating activities are available for children to choose from, which take into account children's different ages and stages of development. This ensures all children are able to participate in activities and, as a result, they make good progress in their development and are motivated to learn.

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and outcomes for children

Children are enthusiastic learners and take a lively interest in everything they do. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They demonstrate good levels of concentration and the relaxed, supportive atmosphere enables them to freely express themselves. Playing games together produces plenty of excitement and children laugh out loud as they explore the role play area. Children confidently communicate with each other and staff as they take on the role of doctor or nurse in the hospital. They use stethoscopes to listen to each other and dolls' chests, and confidently write out prescriptions when they have made their diagnosis. They enjoy books and story time which enable them to join in and look at the characters as the story is read to them. Counting activities and playing with electronic puzzles, magnets and games successfully promotes children's problem solving and reasoning.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a positive attitude towards diversity and take part in activities linked to various festivals. For example, they have access to a range of dressing up clothes, books, dolls, puzzles and musical instruments. Children develop a keen interest in nature during their time in the outside play area, walks in the park and visits to other places of interest. They also access large equipment, such as swings, climbing frames and slides. This helps them to develop control and coordination over their bodies. Children eagerly express their creativity as they regularly access a range of materials to create pictures, such as glitter, coloured paper and leaves.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s good health is well promoted because effective hygiene procedures reduce the risk of cross contamination. Surfaces, toys and equipment are kept clean and children independently use hand washing facilities and tissues. The children bring packed lunchesand are provided with fruit for snacks. Children have access to drinking water at all times to enable them to satisfy their thirst when needed. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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