Sadberge Pre-School

Sadberge Pre-School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY292021 Inspection date 01/12/2009 Inspector Karen Marie Tervit

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Setting address Sadberge Village Hall, Darlington Road, Sadberge, County Durham, DL2 1SW Telephone number 07913387033 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

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.

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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

Sadberge Pre-School is a committee run group which has been registered at the current premises since July 2004. It is located in Sadberge and serves the local and surrounding areas. The pre-school operates from the village hall and has use of a large playroom and associated facilities.

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Description of the setting

The pre-school is open five mornings a week from 9.15am to 12.15pm, term time only. The pre -school is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare register. It is registered to care for up to 21 children aged from two years old to eight years old at any one time. They currently have 26 children on roll in the early years age group.

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Description of the setting

There are five members of staff and two regular volunteers working with the children. All staff have a childcare qualification. A pool of staff are available for cover. The group receives support from the local authority.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Staff offer a warm and friendly welcome to all children and their parents. They provide a range of experiences giving all children the opportunity to make progress in most areas of their learning. The planning of activities and observing of children are in the process of being revised and developed. The manager, along with the local authority worker are beginning to look at the process of self evaluation. Staff demonstrate a positive attitude to ensuring continuous improvement is maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the observations and planning systems to ensure experiences are appropriate to each child's stage of development and include child initiated activities as they progress towards the early learning goals  improve the planning for outdoor play so children receive a greater range of experiences  increase the opportunities for children to explore technology  lead and encourage a culture of reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion which includes all staff, in order to identify priorities for development and improve outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The setting benefits from a named person responsible for safeguarding children, and staff have a suitable understanding of procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child. Suitable vetting and recruitment procedures are in place and evidence of enhanced disclosure numbers is available for all staff. This ensures all adults looking after children are suitable to do so. An appropriate range of policies and procedures is in place for the safe and efficient management of the setting. These are in the process of being reviewed by the new manager and organised in a more effective way. All staff have a current paediatric first aid certificate and systems are in place to ensure prompt renewal of these when they are due to run out, promoting the good health of children. Written risk assessments and regular checks of all areas and equipment are in place to further promote children's safety. A clearly defined procedure for the emergency

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the early years provision

evacuation of the premises is in place. This is practised regularly and recorded appropriately.

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the early years provision

Systems are in place for staff development and support, such as a supervision system to highlight staff's individual training needs and monthly staff meetings to ensure consistency of practice. Recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been mostly addressed. For example, children serve themselves at snack time and choose if they wish to enter the creative play area. However children’s creative play is still very much adult led. Parents are able to see children’s individual files and get lots of information from the various notice boards, as well as daily discussions with staff. This helps to promote outcomes for children. The new manager and staff work closely with their local early years advisor to develop practice which is beginning to foster a culture of continuous improvement. They are looking towards developing systems for self- evaluation, however these are in the early stages of development and not all staff are fully involved in these. Space

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the early years provision

at the pre-school is appropriately laid out, so that children can move around and access a suitable range of activities and resources. This helps to encourage children to make choices about their play and to develop independence. Children access outdoors on a daily basis.

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the early years provision

All children are included in the setting and staff work closely with parents and other agencies to ensure their individual needs are met. Positive relationships have been developed with parents and children are able to settle according to individual needs. This helps to promote children's confidence and sense of security. Parent's comments about the setting are positive. Basic information regarding children's previous learning is sought, giving staff some information about children’s likes and dislikes. Parents are able to attend meetings to discuss their child's progress, development and learning. This keeps parents informed of their child's progress towards the early learning goals. Staff have developed links with other providers and share some information to enhance children's learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and mostly settled at the setting and enjoy their time there. Children behave appropriately and know what is expected of them. For example, children tell each other to put aprons on when playing in the water. Children receive praise and encouragement for their effort, which helps to boost their self- esteem and confidence. They enjoy physical activities daily in the outdoor play area, which helps to develop their large physical skills. However, planning for outdoors is sometimes limited and the settings outdoor equipment occasionally takes staff away from the children.

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and outcomes for children

Staff have a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. They know children well and a key person system is in place and is mainly used effectively to support young children. Staff are observing children's learning and development and observations are mostly used to track their progress towards the early learning goals. However, observations are not always used to inform the planning for children’s individual interests or next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children engage in a range of activities, which they can access independently. They enjoy playing in the well resourced home corner where they use their imagination. For example, they prepare food, iron the clothes or dress up as workmen. A suitable range of mark making resources are available, such as, paints, chalks and pencils, providing opportunities for children to develop their mark making skills. Children show a developing interest in books, they select them independently from the good selection in the book area and gather around on the comfy seats to listen to staff read or look at books themselves. Children have limited opportunities to explore technology as the computer is not always accessible and there are few programmable toys available. Children's creative skills are encouraged as they make holly wreaths and Christmas crackers.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about healthy habits, such as washing hands after using the toilet and after messy play. They have free access to a range of healthy snacks, such as apple, orange and banana. Staff sit with the children making it a sociable occasion as they talk about what they have chosen. This helps to develop children's awareness of healthy choices. Staff provide further opportunities for children to talk about dangers and how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know that if they spill water on the floor it becomes 'slippy' and they may fall. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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