Beeches Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/01/2005 Inspector Name Susan Patricia Birkenhead

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Beeches Pre-School Setting Address Edge Village Hall Edge Green, Malpas Cheshire SY14 8LG

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

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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. When making judgements, inspectors have regard to how well the provider meets the National Standards for under Eights Day Care and Childminding. A list of these is attached. The report identifies strengths and areas for improvement. This inspection report must be made available to all parents.

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Information about the setting

The Beeches Pre-school has been registered since 1983.The provision operates from Edge village hall, situate close to the village of Malpas.Children have access to one main playroom,the associated facilities and the outdoor play area which surrounds the building.The pre-school is run by a committee of parents.A maximum of 20 children may attend the setting at any one time.The pre-school is open from 09:15 to 12:00, Monday to Friday, term time only. There are 30 children on roll, from the ages of two years six months to five years, of these 22 receive funding for nursery education. Children attend from the local community and wider catchment areas.The pre-school support children with special needs and there are no children attending who have English as an additional language. The committee employ six staff, two of the staff including the manager hold relevant Early Years qualifications, one member of staff is a qualified teacher and one

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Information about the setting

member of staff holds an Advanced Diploma in Special needs.

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How good is the Day Care?

Beeches pre-school provide satisfactory care for children.The manager and staff demonstrate commitment to developing practices and procedures and attending additional training to further enhance the quality of care provided.Attention is required to ensure all staff and members of the committee have completed the relevant clearance.The required adult to child ratios are maintained and qualification requirements are met.Children are grouped appropriately and good use is made of the space available.A wide range of good quality resources are provided to encourage children's development in all aspects.Record keeping is maintained with the exception of the attendance register.Confidentiality is respected. The manager and the staff take positive steps to promote children's safety and proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents. Attention is necessary to ensure the electrical fittings conform to safety requirements. Children learn about personal

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How good is the Day Care?

hygiene through the routines followed.Healthy eating is promoted at snack time. Equality of opportunity is promoted within the group and children learn about diversity through the resources in place and the activities planned.Steps are in place to promote the welfare and development of children attending the group who have special needs.

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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 Staff plan and provide activities and play opportunities to encourage all aspects of the children's development. The children's individual needs are met and their welfare promoted.The resources are organised to ensure they are readily accessible to the children.Children enjoy their play and are confident within the setting. Staff interact well with the children and support and guide them in their learning.Children are well behaved and relate well to staff and children in the group. A good level of information is made available to parents.Staff are knowledgeable about the children and their families. Parents are encouraged into the group and can offer support in various ways.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

During the last inspection 4 actions were raised as follows: ensure all children leaving the provision are marked out on the register, ensure fire evacuation drills are fully recorded to include the times the dates and numbers of staff and children, including reference to any problems encountered, ensure a member of staff acquires a food hygiene certificate, ensure the complaints procedure is amended to include the role of Ofsted in investigating any complaint. Since the last inspection attention has been given to three of the four actions outlined as follows: a system is in place to ensure accurate detail is recorded following fire drills held, three members of staff have completed food hygiene training, the complaints procedure includes the role of Ofsted in investigating complaints. Children leaving the setting are still not recorded in the daily register, see the what needs to improve section of this report and the recommendation raised.

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What is being done well?

• The provision of play and activities is satisfactory. Children can make choices for themselves from the resources available within the room and outdoors. Children have opportunities to take part in group activities, play independently, be active as well as have time to relax. Staff provide play and activities to encourage children in making decisions, explore and investigate, play creatively and use their imagination. The environment is warm and welcoming to parents and their children. • The pre-school is well resourced and play materials are rotated regularly to further stimulate children in their learning and assist in raising the children's awareness of diversity.

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What is being done well?

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 provided with healthy snacks and drinks. Children receive a variety of fruits or raw vegetables at snack time, mid morning to select from. • Staffing arrangements are designed to provide individual support to children attending with special needs. Staff work with parents and outside agencies to ensure the needs of the children are met and individual educational plans (IEP) are developed. • The level of information made available to parents. Notices are displayed on the notice board in the entrance hall, introductory letters re the pre-school and some of their policies are issued initially, progress records are in place and news letters are issued half termly. Parents can attend the setting on rota and they contribute to the snack provision daily on a rota. Information is sent

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What is being done well?

home re activities followed within the group relating to the themes in place. • The organised systems in place for referencing necessary documentation. Policies have been adopted from the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA) and provide detailed information re policies and procedures. Parents are made aware of the policy document to which they can request access. All entries to records are shared with parents.

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What needs to be improved?

• the procedures for ensuring that all staff and committee members have completed the relevant clearance. At present due to changes in the committee and the staff employed there are only two members of staff who have been cleared and this affects staff not cleared having access to the children. • the arrangements for ensuring the electrical fittings conform to safety requirements • the detail recorded in the daily register, to ensure that as children leave the setting this is recorded. At present the children are marked in as they arrive. In the main children all arrive at the set time and any late arrivals the time would be recorded. There is no detail recorded as the children leave the group.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

There are no complaints to report from 1st April 2004.

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Outcome of the 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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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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 1 Ensure that the required procedures are followed for the clearance of all staff employed and committee members. 11/02/2005

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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

1 Develop procedures to ensure children are not left alone with persons not cleared. 11/02/2005

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Ensure that the details of the children leaving the setting are recorded in the daily register 6 Ensure that the electrical fittings conform to safety requirements and do not pose a hazard to children.

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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

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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 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

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