Scalliwags Pre-School

Scalliwags Pre-School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Scalliwags Pre-School

Unique Reference Number EY290562 Inspection date 02 November 2005 Inspector Lisa Paisley

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Scalliwags Pre-School

Setting Address South Ockendon Village Hall, 65 North Road, South Ockendon, Essex, RM15 6QH Telephone number 01708 859109 MOB 07939 604580 E-mail julieecarter@aol.com Registered person Julie Carter Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Sessional care

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Scalliwags Pre-School

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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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.

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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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Scalliwags Pre-school opened in 1966 and transferred to new ownership in 2004. It operates from a large village hall in South Ockenden, Essex. A maximum of 32 children may attend the pre-school at any one time. The pre-school is open 4 days a week from 09.30 to 12.30 term time only. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 36 children aged from 2 to under 5 years on roll. Of these 18

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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 receive funding for nursery education. Children come from the local area. The pre-school supports a number of children with special educational needs and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The pre-school employs six staff. Three of the staff, including both managers hold appropriate early years qualifications. Two staff are currently attending training.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are helped to understand simple good health and hygiene practices. They independently wash their hands after craft work and before eating their snacks. There are clear written procedures in place in the event of a child being unwell. However, the younger children would benefit from a revision of the current nappy changing procedures to ensure that they are in line with current environmental health and hygiene guidelines. Staff have attended first aid courses and keep clear records of any accidents. Children bring their own snacks into the setting, such as crisps, biscuits or sandwiches. Staff discuss the importance of them eating nutritious food, such as fruit, which promotes healthy growth and development. They also organise food tasting sessions for the children. However, there are limited opportunities for children to have healthy snacks on a regular basis. Children enjoy physical activity and show great enthusiasm when riding the tricycles

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Helping children to be healthy

and pushing the prams. They run and move confidently during games and activities. A range of physical activities are offered so that children can practise and refine their skills using small and large equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe, welcoming environment. The hall is bright and spacious and posters and examples of children's artwork are well displayed. They are able to freely select a range of resources and play equipment, fostering their independence and confidence in choosing their own activities. Children's welfare and safety receive careful consideration. Risk assessments and daily checks ensure that all toys, resources and accessible areas remain safe for the children. Children learn to keep themselves safe as they practise emergency evacuation procedures and are reminded to walk indoors rather than run. Children are safeguarded as staff are aware of their child protection responsibilities.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. Most children are happy, settled and enjoy coming to the pre-school. Friendly relationships are formed with their peers and the staff team. Children can freely chose the activities on offer and are curious and interested in their tasks. They participate in a variety of creative opportunities, such as flick painting for fireworks and show pride in their achievements. A range of themed resources allow children to play purposefully within their role-play scenarios, for example at the travel agents or the shop. Children use the outdoor area confidently when developing their physical, investigative and exploratory skills. The younger children are developing confidence and making satisfactory progress. However, staff are not yet using the 'Birth to three matters' framework to plan learning

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opportunities to support and encourage the development of the younger children attending the pre-school. Nursery Education The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. Most staff have a basic knowledge of the Foundation Stage and are involved the delivery of the curriculum. They plan and provide a range of activities that are linked to all areas of learning. Planning includes evaluations and there is some differentiation of activities. The children's progress towards the early learning goals is recorded by key workers. However, these assessments are not currently linked to the stepping stones which results in some children not being challenged appropriately. Children acquire new knowledge and skills by completing tasks linked to themes and topics. They explore media and a range of materials through colour-mixing, combining paint and textures and using collage materials. They enjoy music and movement sessions where they practise singing and moving their bodies

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

rhythmically. Children enjoy the book corner and are able to handle the books carefully. They are beginning to recognise simple words and can find their name on arrival and when taking part in a small group sessions. Planned activities encourage children to practise their writing and there are regular opportunities for mark making through a range of activities, such as in role play and when writing their names on their work. Children behave well and are busy and interested as they play. They count, sort and sing number rhymes. They are beginning to understand positional language, for example when playing with the dolls house they discuss putting small play people on the top, next to and jumping over the bed. Children have access to a range of information and technology equipment, such as a computer, telephones and small world domestic items. Children learn about the wider world through topics, such as

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

our journey or the sea, and are encouraged to make seahorses and aeroplanes. Children are sometimes taken on trips into the local community and they enjoy going to the church or baker's shop. Visitors are occasionally invited into the setting to talk to the children about their lives and the jobs they do.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and play happily together. They respond well to the staff’s expectations for good behaviour and have a clear understanding of the boundaries. They respond immediately and listen when staff wish to gain their attention. Plenty of praise and encouragement is heard and staff sensitively negotiate any disputes between the children. Children develop self-esteem and respect for others. They celebrate their friends' birthdays and become aware of the wider society by learning about different festivals throughout the year. Books, posters and play equipment portray positive multi-cultural images. Systems are in place to support children with special needs. The partnership with parents and carers is satisfactory. They are made to feel welcome and are kept informed about the setting through newsletters and written information displayed in the entrance hall. Children and their parents take part in and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

social events, such as sports day and Christmas celebrations. Positive comments from parents indicate that they are happy with the care their children receive at the setting. The children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by staff who have been carefully vetted and the setting has sound recruitment procedures in place. Children benefit from staff attending training to keep up-to-date with current childcare issues and trends. The operational plan has recently been updated and reviewed, however, there are still some policies and procedures that do not currently meet the requirements of the National Standards. All written policies and procedures are shared with staff and parents. The leadership and management of the pre-school is satisfactory. The manager continues to make positive changes within the group such as clear staff roles and responsibilities and the introduction of contracts and yearly appraisals for all staff. Staff work well together and are committed to making positive changes within the pre-school. However, not all staff are involved with planning the curriculum which

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Organisation

impacts on their knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage and how young children learn. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children that attend the pre-school.

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Improvements since the last inspection

First inspection since registration - not applicable.

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Improvements 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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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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 nappy changing procedures to ensure they are in line with current health and hygiene guidelines • ensure children are regularly provided with healthy and nutritious snacks • review the operational plan to ensure all polices and procedures meet the requirements of the National Standards. This relates to the behaviour management, child protection and lost child polices, and the complaints procedures • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to Three matters' framework.

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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): • review the system of assessing and recording children’s progress to ensure they are linked to the stepping stones of the Foundation Stage • develop staff’s knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage to ensure all children are appropriately challenged.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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

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