More House School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/09/2003 Inspector Name Pamela Woodhouse

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St Barnabas Play Group Setting Address St Barnabas Church Hall Mount Pleasant Drive,Queens Park Bournemouth Dorset

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St Barnabas Pre-School Playgroup 1035975

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St Barnabas Pre-School Playgroup Address Mount Pleasant Drive Bournemouth Dorset BH8 9JN

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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

St Barnabas Playgroup opened in 1969. It operates from the main hall in St Barnabas Church in the Queens Park area of Bournemouth. The playgroup serves the local area. There are currently 29 children from two to five years on roll. This includes 20 funded three year olds, there are currently no funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The pre-school welcomes children with special needs and children for whom English is an additional language. The group opens five days a week during term times. Sessions are from 9.00 to 12:30 and from 13:30 until 16:00. A breakfast club for children attending pre-school that day is available from 8.00 to 9.00. A family holiday club operates during school holidays which parents also attend. Two full time and six part time staff work with the children. Three staff have early years qualifications. Four staff are currently on training programmes. The setting receives support from the Early Years

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Information about the setting

Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) and are working towards Bournemouth Quality Standards.

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How good is the Day Care?

St Barnabas Playgroup offers good care for children and staff have knowledge and understanding of the National Standards. The play areas and sessions are organised and well presented to ensure that children have space to move about freely in a stimulating environment. The operational plan and some policies are not fully developed which means that there is no clear indication of how the setting operates. However high adult-child ratio's ensure that staff are deployed effectively. They are clear about their roles and responsibilities which means that children feel confident, secure and well supported. A daily risk assessment of the premises and equipment is undertaken to ensure that they are safe for the children to use. Their independence is encouraged by being

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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 given the opportunity to serve their own drinks and snack and by choosing their own activities. The premises and equipment are clean and children's understanding of health and hygiene is promoted through practical activities.Staff have developed knowledge and understanding of child protection,however,the policy does not fully comply with local authority Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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How good is the Day Care?

The children are very well behaved and play co-operatively with their peers. Staff foster a sense of right and wrong by managing behaviour sensitively, praising children liberally and encouraging positive behaviour. They evaluate their practice regularly. They are interested in what the children do and provide a programme of stimulating activities which interest and challenge and help children to progress in all areas of their development. Parents receive some information about the setting however they are not pro-actively informed of group policy and procedure. There are regular opportunities to discuss children's progress and records are available on demand. There is a positive partnership with parents some of whom form a fund raising committee and parents expertise is welcomed.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection it was agreed that a child protection policy would be developed which complies with local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures and that staff develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The setting has addressed one issue in part i.e. a child protection policy has been developed however it needs further developing to be fully in line with local ACPC procedures. The second issue has been addressed by ensuring that staff have completed child protection awareness training and it is intended that a rolling programme of training will continue to ensure that staff are working to current practice and procedures.

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What is being done well?

• Staff are interested in the children and are very clear about their roles and responsibilities. High adult/child ratios ensure that staff are deployed effectively and children are well supported and feel confident, safe and secure • There is a wide variety of stimulating and challenging activities to which the children have equal access and which help them to make progress in all areas of their development • Play space is used effectively to provide a safe, secure and spacious area to enable the children to play freely in a clean, welcoming and stimulating environment • Staff undertake regular risk assessments to ensure that the premises are safe for the children and actively promote children's awareness of health and hygiene through practical activities

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • The children are very well behaved and play co-operatively with their peers. Staff manage children's behaviour sensitively and positively, praising children liberally and evaluate their practice regularly • A good relationship has been established with parents who are kept well informed of their child's progress

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What needs to be improved?

• the content of the operational plan, policies and procedures to accurately reflect current practice and sharing this information with parents.

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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 2 develop the operational plan so that the content reflects how the setting is organised and resources used 13 ensure that the child protection policy is in line with current local authority ACPC procedures and includes procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a staff member. Ensure that these are made available to parents

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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?

St. Barnabas offers high quality provision which helps children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals. Teaching is very good. Most staff have a good understanding of the early learning goals. Good quality resources are made easily accessible to enable freedom of choice for children. Staff are good role models for children's behaviour. Staff use questioning effectively to extend children's knowledge and understanding. Leadership and management is very good. Staff are committed to on-going training, and there are good procedures in place to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the setting. However, following re-organisation of the management and committee structure, leadership roles are not clearly defined. The setting takes part in a local quality assurance scheme. There is regular monitoring and evaluation of activities. Partnership with parents is very good. They are encouraged to share information

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How effective is the nursery education?

about their child, and feel welcome and comfortable in the nursery. There are opportunities for parent's to discuss their child's individual development regularly with the key worker on a one to one basis. Parents are encouraged to be fully involved in their children's learning at home. There is a regular newsletter informing parent's of projects and events, however the pre-school prospectus does not inform new parents about the policies, procedures and organisation of the setting. The parents' notice board gives relevant information about childcare issues, and parents are given clear information about the early learning goals.

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What is being done well?

• Children are becoming confident and are learning to co-operate effectively with one another and are becoming more independent. • Staff extend children's vocabulary by effective interaction and through stories and key activities and encourage children to enjoy books and stories. • Children count and use numbers confidently in rhymes, songs, and play activities, and are developing a knowledge and understanding of size and shape. • Staff provide very good opportunities and freedom for children to explore and investigate objects and materials. • Children show good imaginative skills and have sustained involvement in child initiated role play activities. • Children move around with safety, considerable confidence and control, and are developing an awareness of those around them.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What needs to be improved?

• There are no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following: • information for new parents about the policies, procedures and organisation of the setting; • clarifying the roles of the new management and leadership.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

They have made good progress since the last inspection. Staff are successfully introducing children to simple calculation and comparison through play activities. Plans now outline what children will do, equipment required, how the activity can be extended to challenge more able children. Assessments include staff comments about how children have progressed and developed.

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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 becoming confident and are learning to co-operate effectively with one another. They are making good relationships with each other and are sensitive to the needs of others. Children are learning to become independent. Staff use positive strategies to manage children's behaviour effectively. Children's behaviour is very good.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Staff extend children's vocabulary by effective interaction and through well read stories and key activities. Children have good opportunities to write and make marks as part of everyday play activities and through role play activities, such as the office. There are very good opportunities for children to recognise print and text. Staff encourage children to enjoy books and stories.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children count and use numbers confidently in rhymes, songs, and play activities, and are developing an excellent knowledge and understanding of size and shape. Staff are successfully introducing children to simple calculation and comparison through an interesting range of play activities.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy regular visitors to the nursery who teach them about the jobs they do, or demonstrate skills. Staff provide very good opportunities and freedom for children to explore and investigate objects and materials. Children are learning about cultural diversity and are becoming familiar with their own culture and beliefs.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have the opportunity to use a wonderful range of tools and equipment which develop their motor skills and hand eye co-ordination. Children move around with safety, considerable confidence and control, and are developing an awareness of those around them. Staff teach children about keeping healthy, through discussion, visitors and projects.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

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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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Staff provide children with good opportunities to experience a range of media, and they are developing confidence in exploring colour and texture. They show excellent imaginative skills and have sustained involvement in child initiated role play activities. Children are beginning to gain confidence in music, and music and movement activities.

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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 high quality. Children are making very 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

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • There are no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following: • providing information for new parents about the policies, procedures and organisation of the setting and; • ensuring that management and leadership roles are appropriately defined. 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

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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