Knodishall & District Playgroup

Knodishall & District Playgroup

Inspection report for early years provision

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Knodishall & District Playgroup

Unique Reference Number 251545 Inspection date 04 May 2006 Inspector Deborah Kerry

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Knodishall & District Playgroup

Setting Address The Mission Rooms, School Road, Knodishall, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1UD Telephone number 01728 831328

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E-mail

Registered person Knodishall & District Playgroup Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Sessional care

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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

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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 good. 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 good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Knodishall and District Playgroup opened approximately 33 years ago and is situated near Leiston in Suffolk. It is a committee run group, which operates from one room in the Knodishall mission rooms. A maximum of 20 children may attend the playgroup at any one time. The playgroup is open from 09.30 to 12.00 Monday to Friday, for children aged three years and from 12.45 to 15:00 Tuesday and Thursday, for children under three years, during term time only. It has access to toilets, kitchen

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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 facilities and an enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 34 children aged from two to under five years on roll. Of these 25 children receive funding for nursery education. Children attend from many surrounding villages and can attend for a variety of sessions. The playgroup currently supports a number of children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The playgroup employs six part time staff. Five of the staff hold appropriate early years qualifications, and one member of staff is due to start working toward a qualification. The setting receives support from a mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. They are members of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are beginning to develop their understanding of personal hygiene as they know to wash their hands before eating. However, the hand washing routine for younger children needs to be improved. Staff follow clear procedures for the preparation of food and surfaces before children eat, to substantially minimise risk of infection. The outside play area is used at each session by the children, where they access a variety of large equipment to promote their healthy growth and development. Staff follow clear effective procedures when changing nappies that minimises any risk of cross infection. The book corner has beanbags and provides a quiet area if children want to rest or sit quietly. Children's health is promoted well as they are offered a variety of fresh fruit, milk or water to drink, daily at snack times. Children can help themselves to water at any time and staff encourage the younger children to drink after playing outside, to

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Helping children to be healthy

ensure they have enough fluids for their needs. Snack times are a social occasion and staff use the opportunity to provide children with different discussions to extend their learning and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The main hall has lots of space and is set out so children are able to move around safely and freely. The floor plan shows the safe placement for all equipment and resources, for both the inside and outside play areas. The premises are secure. Any visitors have to ring the door bell, which staff open for them, to gain access. This promotes children's safety well. The outside play area is checked and prepared each time before the children access it to ensure no hazards are accessible to children. The toilet facilities allow children to access them independently and the step enables children to reach the sink to wash their hands.

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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 The children are learning about keeping themselves safe as staff talk to them about sitting on their chairs correctly so they don’t fall and hurt themselves. There is a list of all resources and equipment available, that staff check each time they set up to ensure they are safe for children to use, and this wide range also provides children with many learning experiences. Regular fire practises ensures that all children and staff know the procedures, and promotes the safety of all in the building should there be an emergency. Staff monitor the entrance door at the beginning and end of the sessions to ensure that children do not leave unsupervised. Staff mop up any spills around the water tray to prevent a slipping hazard, further promoting children's safety. The health and safety policy and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the risk assessment in place ensure that any hazards to children are identified and removed promoting their safety. There are clear procedures for staff to follow should they have concerns about the welfare of a child. All of the staff have a thorough knowledge of the child protection procedures, ensuring children's welfare is given high priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The playgroup holds separate sessions that are specifically tailored for children under three years old. The activities and resources set out are suited to their needs and stage of development. The staff complete regular observations on the younger children using the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to ensure they are making progress in their development. This is then recorded around the different aspects from the framework and includes the next step in each child's development, so staff know what is needed to enable children to make continued progress. All children are provided with a range of resources and activities that are set out specifically for their level of understanding, so they are able to make good progress in their development. Nursery Education Teaching and Learning is good. The staff work well with children to support and promote their development. The children's records are clearly linked to early learning goals and stepping stones.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

However, these do not show the children's next step in their learning. The is a separate folder where staff undertake and record regular observations on each child's progress, this is then transferred to their records. Planning is clearly linked to the six areas of learning and the early learning goals are identified and include which staff are working at each session. The adult focussed activity shows the learning intention, resources and the specific vocabulary that staff will use. This also shows how the activity is adapted for children's different levels of ability and is evaluated to ensure the learning outcomes have been achieved. Meetings for planning take place each half term. Staff use the children's records to ensure that they include activities to promote the areas in which each child needs to make good progress in their learning. A list of resources shows which area of learning it relates to, ensuring that

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the children are provided with a broad and balanced curriculum.

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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 Children are able to persevere at an activity they have chosen, their independence is also promoted as children pour their own drinks and some are able use the toilet without assistance. Children enjoy standing up in front of the group and singing songs, this helps to develop their self-esteem and confidence. Children know that they need to take turns when using equipment, either inside or when using the outside play area. The topic 'all about me' develops children's sense of community as they draw a picture of their own homes. Children are developing good communication skills as they chat freely with staff and each other. The staff use effective questioning techniques that develops children's thinking skills and the different letter each week promotes their understanding of sounds and letters. Children are able to find their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

own names on arrival and more able children can write their own names on their work. The writing area gives children free access to resources to make marks to promote their early writing skills. Children are provided with varied opportunities to count and recognise numbers within the setting. Staff develop children's calculating skills by asking children how many cups are needed for each child at snack time. By threading beads and matching patterns children develop their understanding of space and shape. Children enjoy the topic 'all about me' as they create and design a life size collage of themselves. The role play area has a 'grocers shop' where children use tills and telephones. They take turns to play games on the computer that develop their technology skills. Children discuss the date and the weather at circle time, to promote their knowledge around time and place. A range of different world festivals are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

celebrated throughout the year helping to develop children's knowledge of other cultures and beliefs. Children have daily access to the outside play area where there is a variety of large equipment, to ride, climb, balance and slide on ensuring their physical development is supported well. Children can manoeuvre around each other, stop and change direction, helping them learn about space when playing on cars and bikes outside. Before going outside to play, children know they need to wear their coats as they help to keep them warm when it is cold. Children's small physical skills are developed well, as they thread beads, use tools for sand and water play, use play dough and look for hidden items in dry 'tea' leaves. Children are provided with a wide range of materials in their art and craft work, their imagination is promoted well through the role play area as children recreate scenarios in the 'grocers shop'. Children are able

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to express their ideas and relate experiences in their lives. They each choose a song they like to sing at circle time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are all recorded when they start, as parents are asked to help complete forms that enables staff to know children's starting point in their development. The prospectus gives information on the four aspects based on the 'Birth to three matters' framework that staff use to record their progress. The staff support all children and include them inthe activities that are available. There are separate sessions for the different age groups so that children's individual needs and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 abilities are promoted well. Children are provided with a range of resources and activities that develops their sense and understanding of the wider world. All children are welcomed and supported well by staff in the group. This inclusive approach fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development appropriately. Staff give children clear explanations. A bell is rung to warn them of a change of activities, so they know what is happening and what is expected of them. All the children help when it time to tidy up and they are encouraged to share and take turns with resources and the activities available. The bright and attractive displays on the topics that are covered shows that children's efforts are valued. Staff greet parents in a warm and friendly manner, there is a good exchange of information when parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

collect their children to keep them informed of their development. Regular newsletters, fundraising and coffee mornings help involve parents with their children's development. Parents are given clear information on their role and responsibilities when helping on the parents rota. Partnership with parents and carers is good. The notice board has information displayed on the planning of children's learning, this helps to keep parents informed about what their children are learning. The prospectus gives parents clear information on the Foundation Stage and the six areas of learning that is part of their children's early education. Children's individual progress records are available to parents at any time and they can add to these as well. The parent rota provides parents with first hand experiences of what and how their children are learning through the different activities that they are provided with.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The high staff ratio effectively supports children in their learning and ensures they make good progress. Staff are provided with clear roles and responsibilities to ensure children's needs are well provided for. A comprehensive range of policies and procedures are contained in the operational plan to promote children's progress and development. Staff are deployed effectively throughout the whole session, supporting children as needed. There are clear set procedures in place for the induction of new staff. All the required documentation is in place and up to date. Leadership and management is good The staff work well as a team. There is good exchange of information on children between staff that helps to promote their individual development well. Staff work directly with the children and are involved with the different activities available, this helps to ensure that children are able to get the most from their time at the playgroup.

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Organisation

Staff receive support from a Local Authority teacher on the Foundation Stage and planning to promote children's learning. The playgroup has clear aims and objectives set out for the children's learning. Planned activities are evaluated to ensure that the learning outcome has been achieved. There are regular staff meetings on planning for children's learning and children are regularly observed to ensure they are making progress. The playgroup ensures that their practice is continually monitored as they

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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 have put in place an action plan on areas they have identified for improvement. Overall the needs of children are being met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the playgroup was asked to improve the security of children at arrival and departure times and to develop induction procedures for new staff. A staff member monitors the entrance at the beginning and end of each session to ensure children do not leave unsupervised. The playgroup has a separate folder for staff induction that covers all areas, policies and procedures of the group to ensure that staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Nursery Education. The playgroup was asked to undertake regular observations of children to ensure that their progress is recorded, to include children's records when planning for future learning, to develop children's understanding of their bodies when staying active and to develop parents' knowledge of the Foundation Stage. There is a separate folder that staff use to record observations on children at the end of each session. Staff use the children's records and include activities around the

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Improvements since the last inspection

areas identified for improvement when planning for children's learning. Children have a good understanding of what happens to their bodies when they are active. They know they get hot when running about outside and that they are encouraged to drink lots afterwards. The children are provided with a variety of fresh fruit and different topic on health to help promote their understanding on staying healthy. The prospectus now includes information on the Foundation Stage and the six areas of learning to develop parents knowledge on these areas.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received a concern regarding the use of an inappropriate behaviour management method. Also that a child was not adequately supervised when using the toilet and on one such occasion they sustained a minor accidental injury. An Ofsted childcare inspector conducted a visit on 27 April 2006 to investigate this concern in relation to the following National Standards 1 (Suitable person), 3 (Care, learning and play), 6 (Safety), 11 (Behaviour), 12 (Working in partnership with parents and carers), 13 (Child Protection) and 14 (Documentation). There was no evidence at the time of the visit that any of these National Standards were not being met. Ofsted will be taking no further action. The provider continues to be registered. 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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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

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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 good. 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 good.

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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): • develop hygienic hand washing procedures for children under three

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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): • develop children's progress records so they include the children's next step in their learning.

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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

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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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