Kibworth Village Hall Playgroup

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/03/2004 Inspector Name Alexandra Brouder

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Kibworth Village Hall Playgroup Setting Address Village Hall Station Street, Kibworth Leicester Leicestershire LE8 0LN

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Kibworth Village Hall Playgroup

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Kibworth Village Hall Playgroup Address Village Hall Station Street Kibworth Leicestershire LE8 0LN

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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

Kibworth Village Hall Playgroup was established in 1972 in Tur Langton village hall, moving to its present location in 1974. It is privately owned and registered to provide sessional day care for up to 26 children from two to five years of age. It opens during school term times for 38 weeks each year. Opening times are from 9:00am until 12:00pm on every weekday morning except Tuesdays. The playgroup runs from a village hall in Kibworth. The playgroup serves the village of Kibworth. It is registered to accept nursery education funding. At present there are 35 children on roll, including nine funded four year olds and 13 funded three year olds. Children are grouped together in a large hall and an adjoining room, they also have access to the kitchen, toilets and lobby. The intake of children reflects a variety of social and economic backgrounds but there is limited cultural diversity in the area. At present there are no children in

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Information about the setting

attendance for whom English is an additional language. Staff have experience of catering for children identified as having special educational needs. In total five members of staff work with children throughout the week, normally four members of staff work each session. None of the staff hold recognised child care qualifications. The playgroup receives support from the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership through visits from a qualified teacher as well as an area Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.

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How good is the Day Care?

The Kibworth Playgroup provides satisfactory care overall. The staff work well as a team to provide children with a warm and caring environment. The children are able to access all available areas with ease and confidence. Staff have not yet completed relevant training in childcare in order to meet the national standards. Documentation is in place, but does not yet support the running of the group effectively.

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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 Health and safety at the group is considered. The children are encouraged to wash their hands after messy activities and toileting, and staff ensure that all areas are kept clean and free from obvious safety hazards. However, there is not yet a risk assessment in place to enable the group to affectively assess all areas of danger. The fire drill is practiced regularly and staff are aware of their responsibilities in this area. Children access a variety of toys and activities in which they are able to select and use for their enjoyment. They play very well together and are able to persist in activities. Staff work with children to guide and direct as needed. There are gaps in the planning for the funded children within the setting. All children are valued within

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How good is the Day Care?

the group, but staff do not provide the children with regular access to a range of resources that reflect the wider environment, which impacts on the children's understanding of other peoples' lifestyles. The staff have high expectations for children's behaviour, and use praise and encouragement in all that children do, enabling them to have high self esteem and confidence in their abilities. Partnership with parents and carers is satisfactory. They receive written information on the group and newsletters inform them of forthcoming events. The staff talk daily to the parents about the children and the day that they have had at the group. There is no formal process in place to inform parents and carers of how children are progressing, or developing through the six areas of learning.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the group were asked to ensure that there were policies regarding lost children, outings, the administration of medication, infestations or ill children, behaviour management, equal opportunities, child protection procedures, complaints procedure, and that parents were informed of all these. The group has taken steps to develop all these policies enabling the staff and parents and carers to have an understanding of the groups procedures in certain areas. However, not all policies are effective or include all the relevant information that is required and so they have been asked to look into these areas and recommendations have been included on this report. They were also asked to develop an operational plan regarding the running of the playgroup. There is a prospectus available outlining some aspects of the group's curriculum and opening times which the staff make available to parents when they request a place at the group, enabling them to look at

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What has improved since the last inspection?

what the group provide before their child begins.

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What is being done well?

• Staff help children develop secure relationships within the group, helping them feel confident in their approaches to each other and in their play. • Staff establish a calm and relaxed atmosphere and help children show care and concern for each other and their surroundings by effective use of consistency, explanation and praise. • The children are able to access all available space well and with confidence.

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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?

• the policies that relate to the effective running of the group; • staff's training, to ensure that at least half of the staff hold a relevant child care qualification; • staff's knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and resources available to children that reflect a positive image of culture, race and disability; • the registration system for visitors, children and staff; • observation of children to ensure that all areas of development are planned for effectively; • the recording of all accidents, no matter how minor and they are kept for a minimum two year period; • the risk assessment to ensure that staff assess the possible hazards at the setting.

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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 2 Develop an action plan that sets out how staff training and qualification requirements will be met 31/03/2004

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

14 Ensure that the child protection procedure for the playgroup complies with local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures. 31/03/2004

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

14 Ensure that accurate records of the children’s hours at the playgroup are maintained appropriately. 31/03/2004

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The Registered Person should have regard to the following recommendations

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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 1 Develop an action plan that shows how the group will ensure that the person in charge holds a level three qualification in child care. 2 Ensure that a record of visitors is maintained. 3 Ensure that staff observe and record what children can do and use this information to inform planning to make sure that all areas of development are covered. 5 Ensure that a variety of activities are available for children that provide sufficient challenge for all children in all areas of learning. 6 Conduct a risk assessment on the premises identifying action to be taken to minimize identified risks. 7 Ensure that the written policy for the administration of medication is clear and relates to regulations, and that appropriate methods are developed to record the administration of medication. 7 Ensure that all accidents, including minor accidents, are recorded in full and kept for a minimum of two years.

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by the time of the next inspection

9 Devise an equal opportunities policy that is consistent with current legislation and guidance. Make sure that this is understood and implemented by all staff and shared with parents. 9 Ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and develop staff’s knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues.

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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?

Kibworth Playgroup offers a caring environment in which children are making significantly weak progress towards the early learning goals. Teaching is significantly weak. Staff's knowledge and understanding of the six areas of learning is limited. They do not understand the processes needed for children to develop in all areas effectively and to the best of their ability. The planning of the curriculum does not encompass all areas of learning, and therefore opportunities for children to learn effectively are missed. Challenges for children are not set effectively and staff do not differentiate when organising activities. Children with Special Educational Needs are included in all activities, but targets for their learning are not planned to challenge them well. Staff's management of children's behaviour is very good. Staff know them well and have high expectations for their behaviour, which in turn, encourages them to behave well and to remind others of the rules of

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How effective is the nursery education?

the group. The assessment process is weak and does not link to future plans or target children effectively in the six areas of learning. Leadership and management of the setting is generally good. There is a caring team in place and the leader is keen to improve on the systems in place. She is aware that the current system does not effectively identify the improvements needed in the educational programme, but is taking steps to improve it by assisting staff in seeking training. There are no appraisal systems in place, but staff meet regularly to discuss concerns and development. The partnership with parents and carers is generally good. Parents are informed about the educational programme through booklets. They are able to talk to staff to exchange information or air concerns as they bring or collect their children. Informal systems are in place to share children's development in the six areas of learning and

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How effective is the nursery education?

parents are encouraged to take an active role in children's learning.

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What is being done well?

• Children concentrate well in small groups, they take turns and negotiate with each other, they are co-operative and well behaved. They understand right from wrong and are able to contribute to their own self-control. • Staff provide a caring environment; relationships between staff and children are good. • Partner ship between parents and carers is good. Staff talk to them daily and keep them informed of their children's progress.

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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 • to provide further physical challenge for more able children; • opportunities for children to develop skills in writing and recognition of the sounds letters make in practical and freely chosen activities; • staff's knowledge and understanding of the foundation stage of learning and the use of assessments completed on children, to inform planning and ensure that sufficient challenge is set for more able children in all areas of learning; • children's access to a range of equipment that develops their understanding of technology and enables them to explore and experiment freely; • opportunites for children to express themselves in freely chosen creative activities; • opportunites for children to learn about other faiths and beliefs on a regular

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The improvement since the last inspection has been poor. Staff have developed the curriculum to include more access for children to physical play equipment and have provided more opportunities for children to take part in dancing to music. However, their knowledge and understanding in the six areas of learning is still weak and the planning and assessment process is not yet effective and does not inform future plans or help to set challenges appropriately for children. Although physical play has improved, challenges are still not set effectively to ensure that older more able children are given greater opportunities in their climbing abilities. Staff are still not providing children with regular access to technology equipment or equipment that they can experiment and explore. Therefore children are not able to extend on their abilities and develop appropriately in this area. Children do not have regular access

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What has improved since the last inspection?

to a range of music to encourage them to use their imagination and to make them aware of music around the world.

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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: Generally Good Children are interested and excited to try new activities. They concentrate and sit quietly in large and small groups and are able to express their feelings and needs in appropriate ways. They are beginning to understand the need for rules and follow them well. More able children remind younger children how to behave appropriately. They are developing their personal independence in putting on aprons and choosing resources. They are not developing their understanding of other cultures in play.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Significant Weaknesses Children show enjoyment and interest in stories, songs and rhymes. They use language to express their experiences, feelings and imagination. Children are developing their language with staff support within their activities and play. There are limited opportunities for them to scribe, practice meaningful writing, make lists, practice emergent writing and to increase awareness to see that print has meaning.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are able to count reliably up to 10 and some beyond this. They are developing their own methods to solve practical problems, although are not able to fully develop this due to inappropriate teaching methods. They handle money and are beginning to compare numbers. Children are not exploring addition or subtraction effectively in the available resources. They are naming familiar shapes and begin to understand and use positional language in everyday activities.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Significant Weaknesses Children are beginning to investigate materials in everyday activities and look at changes that happen to some things. However, they are not able to explore similarities or differences in things such as the weather on a regular occurrence. They build and construct, but resources are not always set out effectively to enable children to develop in this area. They have access to toys that develop their understanding in technology. They rarely explore the lives of other cultures or backgrounds.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are developing good large motor skills and show increasing control when using bikes and cars. In general children can climb, go through, under, negotiate others and have good spatial awareness. They are able to use and manipulate a variety of tools and materials effectively. Children have few opportunities to gain an understanding of healthy eating and the changes that effect their bodies when active.

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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: Significant Weaknesses Children have opportunities to explore colour, shape and form in adult led activities, but are not able to express themselves freely in this area. They sing songs from memory and enjoy taking an active role in dance sessions. Their access to a range of music from around the world is limited. They are able to use their imagination in role play and the use of malleable materials, but are not always able to use their senses appropriately in what they see, hear, touch and taste.

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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 but has some significant areas for improvement. Children progress towards the early learning goals is limited by some significant weaknesses. The next inspection will take place in one to two years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• Ensure that staff's knowledge and understanding of the six areas of learning is developed. • Develop the use of observation and assessments in order to inform planning, and ensure that more able children have sufficient challenges set in all areas of learning. • Ensure that children's knowledge and understanding of the world is increased and planned for effectively to enable children to develop their awareness of other cultures and lifestyles and to access equipment that will develop their understanding of technology. • Ensure that children's creative development is planned for effectively to enable children to explore various types of music and resources that enable them to create freely. • Improve planning for communication language and literacy so that children have more opportunities to practice meaningful writing, make lists and develop emergent writing through their play and activities.

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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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