Earith PreSchool 7

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/11/2003 Inspector Name Denise May Smith

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Playgroup 7 Setting Address The Earith Community Organisation Building, Earith School Grounds School Road, Earith Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE28 3QB

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Playgroup 7 Address Earith Community Centre School Road, Earith Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE28 3QB

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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ABOUT THE INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality and standard of day care in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

Playgroup 7 opened in 1970. It operates from a large mobile building which is situated within the school grounds of Earith primary school. The group serves the local, rural community. There are currently 25 children from 2 to 5 years on roll. This includes 9 funded 3 year olds and 3 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group has systems in place to provide support for children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language The group opens for 5 sessions per week, during school term times. Sessions are from 09:00 to 11:30 hrs each morning. Four staff, in total work with the children. At least half of the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 3. The setting receives support from a mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Playgroup 7 provides good care for children. The effective management of the group ensures that staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. Staff are well qualified, are committed to ongoing training and the development of the group. However, the procedure for staff employment and induction is not comprehensive. The good use of the building and careful selection of well maintained, appropriate resources give children many opportunities to learn, explore and develop in all areas of learning. Most policies and documentation are in place and up to date. Staff, are active in promoting good personal hygiene practice with the children and procedures are in place which, support staff in keeping children safe. Staff have good awareness of safety issues and the children's safety and welfare is given priority. However, the risk assessments are not recorded. Children are provided with

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How good is the Day Care?

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 appropriate snacks and drinks which are generally healthy and nutritious. The children who have access to the group are able to take part in fun, interesting activities and have use of a broad range of resources. Children's needs are met on an individual basis, particular care is given to the younger children who's differing needs are met. Staff give appropriate support to children with special needs and children's behaviour is generally good; staff encourage positive behaviour but are not always consistent in their approach. There is very good partnership with parents. Staff gather lots of information from parents so that children feel secure in the group, and parents are kept well informed of the progress their children make.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the committee of Playgroup 7 agreed to, ensure that the registration procedure includes the arrival and departure times of both staff and children, that a record is maintained of visitors to the group, that a policy is in place regarding the administration of medication and that the child protection policy and knowledge of staff is in line with the local ACPC procedures. The registration procedure now includes the arrival and departure times of both staff and children, a record is maintained of visitors to the group and a policy is in place regarding the administration of medication. Staff are still awaiting places on a child protection course and have been assured that they will be included in the Spring 2004 course. The child protection policy has been updated but still needs the procedure to be taken if any allegations are made against staff.

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What is being done well?

• A welcome environment and appropriate resources ensures that the children have access to a range of stimulating play opportunities. • Parents are valued as partners in care. Good systems of communication, information gathering and sharing allow children to be cared for according to parents wishes. • A good range of age appropriate activities promote children's learning and supports their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.

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What needs to be improved?

• The procedure for the appointment and induction of staff and the child protection policy to include the procedure to be taken if any allegations are made against staff. • The recording of the risk assessment procedure.

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What needs to be improved?

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 1 Ensure that the staff recruitment and induction procedure is comprehensive 6 Ensure that risk assesments undertaken are recorded 13 Ensure that the child protection policy is written with regard the the local ACPC procedures

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by the time of the next 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

Playgroup 7 offers good quality nursery provision. The children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals in their creative, personal, social and emotional and mathematical development and in their knowledge and understanding of the world. They are making generally good progress in their communication, language and literacy and their physical development. Teaching is generally good. Staff, have a sound knowledge of the foundation stage. They plan for a broad range of good quality and stimulating activities, which are linked to the early learning goals. Staff; make effective use of time and resources to enable children to be self-sufficient and independent in their learning. Good behaviour is encouraged and children generally respond well. A suitable programme is in place to support children who have special educational needs. Leadership and management is generally good. A system for self-evaluation and

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How effective is the nursery education?

staff appraisals is in place and used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the group enabling the group to develop. Planning is comprehensive and assessment is used to identify what children know. However, the assessments are not used to inform planning in order to ensure that each individual child's learning needs are identified and met. The partnership with parents is very good. Many opportunities are provided for all parents to talk to parents in and outside of group sessions. Termly reports provide parents with a record of their children progress towards the early learning goals; the group are currently looking at extending this to include parental input into these reports. Parents are involved at all levels in the group, sharing their skills, increasing adult ratios by participating on a rota and supporting their children with topic based activities.

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What is being done well?

• The children's self esteem is good, which enables children to approach learning in a positive manner. • The programme for mathematics promotes children's understanding and introduces them to a variety of concepts. • The range and variety of opportunities provided for children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world develops their investigation and exploration skills.

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What needs to be improved?

• Linking the assessments of the children's development to the short term

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What needs to be improved?

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 planning. • The programme for raising the children's awareness of the importance of staying healthy and the effects of exercise on the body

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Good progress has been made at addressing the point for consideration arising from the last inspection. The planning system has been reviewed and now includes learning objectives for all activities. The long, medium and short-term plans relate to the early learning goals.

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What has improved 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are happy, settled and confident relating well to staff and each other. Children are motivated to learn and eager to settle to activities. They can express their needs and feelings well learning to work as part of small and larger groups. They learn to take turns and share fairly, through a good range of planned opportunities. Children are independent in their choice of resources and are encouraged to self-care. The children agree codes of behaviour and generally behave accordingly.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children are provided with good opportunities for mark making in planned activities and in their role-play. They are beginning to write recognisable letters. However, children's work is rarely self-labelled. Children listen and speak confidently at circle time and use language to negotiate with each other and express imagined ideas. The book corner is well used and children handle books appropriately understanding that print caries meaning. They use books for enjoyment and for reference.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children use numbers confidently during planned activities and in general play situations. They are beginning to recognise numerals relating them to groups of numbers. They enjoy counting during snack time, calculating the numbers of cups required and at other times in the session. They have lots of good opportunities to sort, compare and can recreate simple patterns. Their mathematical language is developing well. Staff, weave concepts of mathematics into activities throughout the session.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children have lots of good opportunities to explore and investigate living things and they enjoy looking closely at similarities, differences and change. Well-planned topics have helped them to develop a good knowledge about where they live and familiar places, as well as a respect for other cultures. The many outings and visitors into the group support the children's learning. Children enjoy using the computer, which, is appropriately supported by staff and underpins learning in other areas

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children have access to a wide range of tools, objects and construction resources, which they are learning to use with safety and developing control. They are able to climb, run, pedal, kick and throw balls with coordination and generally move with control. They are developing an awareness of others around them. Opportunities to develop children's awareness of the importance of staying healthy and the effects of exercise on the body are missed limiting children's understanding.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy exploring sounds made by musical instruments. They participate well in ring games; enjoy singing simple songs and rhymes. Many opportunities are provided for children to explore colour, texture and form, these activities being extended for the more able children. Children use their imaginations in their creations and in a wide range of role play situations, some planned and some spontaneously invented and developed by the children and appropriately supported and extended by staff

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• further develop the assessment of children so that it is used to identify the next steps of learning for children and to inform the short term planning • improve the programme for raising the children's awareness of the importance of staying healthy and the effects of exercise on the body.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

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STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

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STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

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STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

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STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

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STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

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STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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