Parcroft Preschool PlaygroupOfsted inspection, 24 Nov 2005

Parcroft Playgroup

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Parcroft Playgroup

Unique Reference Number 143119 Inspection date 24 November 2005 Inspector Jennifer Barton

p.1

Parcroft Playgroup

Setting Address Summerleaze Park, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2BR

p.1

E-mail

Registered person Parcroft Playgroup Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Sessional 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Parcroft Playgroup opened approximately twenty years ago and is committee run. It operates from accommodation within Parcroft Junior School in Yeovil, Somerset. The group have sole use of the premises and children attending are from the local area. The premises consist of an entrance, two main rooms; one being smaller for quieter activities, toilet facilities, kitchen facilities, an office and storeroom. The group have their own grassed, enclosed outdoor area and are also able to use the school

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 playground. The group is open Monday to Friday for morning sessions from 09:15 to 11:45 for children aged 3 to 5 years of age and afternoon sessions from 12:45 to 15:15 for children aged 2 to 3 years of age, during term time only. Children have the option of joining the lunch club from 11:45 to 12:45. The group also operate a breakfast club from 08:00 to 09:00 for children attending the playgroup and local schools, for children up to 8 years of age. At present there are 47 children on roll of these 30 children are in receipt of funding. There are six members of staff who are suitably qualified or undertaking training. The Supervisor has Early Years Care and Education NVQ level three. The playgroup receives support from the Local Authority.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a healthy environment, during each session children participate in physical activities to help them develop control of their bodies. Children benefit from regular fresh air as they have access to their own outdoor play area and to the adjoining school playground where they access a wide range of resources for balancing and climbing. Children are becoming aware of the way activities and the weather affect their bodies and they know when they need a drink or a rest. Children are well cared for in a clean environment, where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Children understand why they wash their hands before handling food, after messy play and visits to the toilet. Children are able to access antibacterial soap dispensers and disposable towels both in the toilet area and the playroom to prevent the spread of infection. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and drinks and are learning about

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

healthy food through well planned activities and workshops were parents are also invited. Children's dietary requirements are met well through good information and liaison with parents. Breakfast club children are offered and enjoy a varied selection of healthy food for breakfast. Accurate records are maintained of all accidents, incidents and medication administered, thereby ensuring children are well cared for and emergency treatment can be sought in the best interest of the child.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a safe, bright and cheerful setting. They can move safely and freely

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 and access a wide range of suitable, exciting and challenging equipment and resources appropriate for their ability and provision, for example activities provided for breakfast club children are adapted to their needs. Children are safeguarded and their welfare promoted through good procedures. Staff have effective systems for children's arrival and departure from the setting and ensure through regular risk assessments children are cared for in a secure environment. Children benefit from good supervision both indoors and on outings and school children are accompanied by staff to their appropriate school. Children are protected well from harm through staffs good understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local area child protection committee procedures. Regular fire drills and appropriately located fire appliances ensure

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children are well protected against the risk of fire, however, some procedures such as fire log records are not in place.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in the pre-school, they arrive happy and eager to participate. All children are achieving well because staff are highly skilled and are interested in what children do and say and respond well to their needs. Staff have a good understanding of the Foundation Stage and are becoming aware of the framework for 'Birth to three matters'. Children have close relationships with staff who use their key worker system to build partnerships with parents to identify and plan for children's individual needs. Children benefit from a wide range of stimulating and challenging activities and there is a good balance of child initiation and teacher direction which encourages children to learn well. Staff are flexible within their routines and respond to children's requests such as, to sing songs and use wheeled toys. Children attending the breakfast club have access to the same challenging and well

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

planned activities which staff adapt to their ability and needs to ensure further stimulation and learning. Nursery Education. The quality of teaching for funded children is good. Children are making good progress across the six areas of learning and comprehensive plans identify aims and objectives related to the stepping stones. Children have regular observations through the staffs diary record system and a system is being developed to show children's progress against the stepping stones. Staff use good interaction skills, they play, talk and continually ask questions which effectively supports and extends children's learning. Children are growing in independence and confidence and are motivated to learn. Children's listening and speaking skills are developing very well. they listen well to stories and join in enthusiastically to songs and action rhymes. Children have many opportunities in planned activities and daily routines to recognise and write letters

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and numbers. They experience regular counting and problem solving in daily routines

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 such as register and snack times. Children use their imagination well in role play activities and art and crafts, they enjoy dressing up resources and collage making. Children have good opportunities to explore music and sound through regular use of musical instruments and tape recorders.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Children receive good support and care from staff who liaise closely with parents to ensure children's progress is suitably enhanced. Staff consider children's individual needs when planning activities and events to enable all children to participate. Staff take positive steps and are proactive in promoting the welfare and development of all children such as, ensuring there are always places available to accommodate children at short notice and providing premises suitable for wheelchair users. Planned activities, resources, local visits and visitors to the pre-school introduce children to their own environment and that of the wider world. Children behave well, they are able to share and take turns through planned activities and games. Children benefit from good routines and staff who are good role models. Staff use effective behaviour management, they praise

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

and encourage children through gently reinforcing strategies when appropriate, through play and by using the smiley face star system in the children's home link record. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. Partnership with parents is good. Comprehensive written information, policies and procedures about the setting are available to parents. Parents have regular verbal and written information such as, smiley link records and progress reports on children's development. Staff encourage parents to be involved in their children's development through regular newsletters, information on the numerous notice boards, the book bag system and helping in the pre-school.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in the well organised premises and adjoining outdoor play areas. Children are able to freely access different areas of the premises and the wide range of good quality toys and equipment. The space is divided appropriately to cater for the needs of the children. Children benefit from highly skilled staff which enhances their care and development. Staff are mainly well deployed ensuring their key worker children are supported by regular positive interaction and occasional individual attention. Staff are highly committed, they regularly reflect and monitor their practices to ensure children's needs are met. The leadership and management of the playgroup is good. There is a strong relationship between staff and committee. They have effective systems in place to monitor the provision with ongoing evaluations of activities and regular observations

p.5

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 on children. Children benefit from the continual improvements implemented such as, staff appraisals, staff key worker system and observation diary records. The committee are very supportive of staff's training needs and there are currently five staff attending training to increase their knowledge and understanding to ensure children's progress continues to develop. Children's well being is appropriately supported through policies and procedures, however, organisation and regular reviewing of documentation and paperwork is not fully effective. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection recommended that the playgroup record evidence of their staff induction system. The playgroup have introduced a written procedure and are improving the system for recording staff's progress through the induction to ensure staff are aware of how the provision operates, their individual responsibilities and needs. The nursery education inspection recommended that children's individual progress files identify progress through the stepping stones and to inform parents of their children's progress. They were also recommended to develop activity evaluations and children's observations to inform future planning. Staff have implemented an observation diary for recording children's progress and they regularly evaluate activities to ensure progress along the stepping stones. They are developing systems to ensure children's progress is recorded against the stepping stones in their individual progress files and that parents receive written termly reports as well as

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

parent evenings to inform them of their children's progress and to inform future planning.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 1 April 2004 Ofsted have received the following complaints relating to the National Standards. In May 2004 a complaint was received relating to Standard 6: Safety, and Standard 14: Documentation. The complaint related to a child leaving the provision unattended and unnoticed, and communicating with parents. On making a provider enquiry Ofsted found they had completed a full investigation and the fence had been made secure to prevent this incident happening again and matters relating to informing parents had been resolved. The provider remains qualified for registration. In November 2004 complaints were received relating to Standards 1: Suitable Person and Standard 7: Health. The complaints related to incidents not being recorded and parents not being informed, and concerns over staff supervision and suitability. An investigation visit was carried out by Ofsted and the provider was asked to complete

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

an action to provide an incident record book and recommended to conduct risk

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 assessments to minimise risks. The provider has completed these requirements and remains qualified for registration. In June 2005 a complaint was received relating to Standard 1: Suitable Person, Standard 2: Organisation and Standard 7: Health. The complaint related to dealing with accidents, communication of information to parents and levels of supervision. Ofsted made an unannounced visit on the 24 June 2005 and the above concerns were discussed, observation of practice and documentation checks were carried out. The result found was that the provider continues to comply with the National Standards and remains qualified for registration.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.7

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.7

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

p.7

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): • review and update operational procedures to ensure an effective organisation

p.7

The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to improve systems for monitoring and recording of children's learning against the stepping stones to effectively assess their progress

p.7

The quality and standards of the nursery education

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.7

The quality and standards of the nursery education

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.7