Ashmount Infant School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 15/10/2003 Inspector Name Christine Coram

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name Beaufort Childcare Groups Setting Address Beaufort Road Bournemouth Dorset BH6 5LB

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Beaufort Childcare Groups

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Beaufort Childcare Groups Address Beaufort Road Bournemouth Dorset BH6 5LB

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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

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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

Beaufort Childcare Groups began offering out of school care in 1993 and the pre-school opened in 2001. It operates from a community centre in Southbourne, Bournemouth and accommodates children from Southbourne, Boscombe and the surrounding areas. Children have access to rooms five to eight, the cafeteria,the gymnasium and toilet facilities. There is also a fenced play area for outdoor play during term time and a portion of the adjoining school playground is used during school holidays. During term time the pre-school opens Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 12.00 they are registered for 26 children two years to five years.The after school club is registered for 42 children from four years to eight years and opens Monday to Friday from 15.00 to 18.00 term time. During school holidays the club is open Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 18.00. They are registered to provide care for up to 42 children aged from four to eight years.

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Information about the setting

There are currently 22 children on roll in the pre-school aged from two to five years. This includes no funded four-year-olds at present and 18 funded three-year-olds. There are currently 36 children on roll for the out of school facilities. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group supports children who speak English as an additional language and children who have special needs. The group is committee run. The person in day to day charge has a level 3 qualification in childcare and attends short training courses to update skills and knowledge. There are eight staff who work with the children, some on a part-time basis. Three members of staff have a level 3 qualification in childcare or play work and one member of staff has a level 2 qualification in play work. A further member of staff is undertaking level 3 training. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

Beaufort Childcare Groups provides satisfactory care for children and staff have a sound understanding of the National Standards. The groups, both for sessional care and for out of school care, are well organised in a warm and inviting environment where staff have access to a variety of indoor and outdoor areas with a good range of equipment which is generally appropriate to the needs of the children. Records are comprehensive and accessible to staff. Access to the rooms and children's safety in the building (which is also used by the

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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 general public) is monitored during all childcare and staff are aware of child protection issues. The areas of the building used for children's work are safe and hygienic although formal risk assessments have not been undertaken. Children's individual needs are respected and all children are integrated and included in the activities. Children attending the pre-school are offered good opportunities for creative play and an excellent range of images of diversity in society help them to understand the lives of others. Similar resources are available to the older children in the out of school groups. Staff effectively plan and evaluate the activities in all groups but they do not always monitor children's behaviour to make sure that the children at the pre-school are involved in worthwhile activities to prevent them from becoming bored

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How good is the Day Care?

or over excited. The views of all the parents are respected but the complaints policy does not give them information about how to contact the regulator should they wish to. Good written and verbal information is given to parents about all the groups at the setting. In addition, parents of children attending the preschool are given clear and information about the activities undertaken and their child's progress.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, the setting agreed to obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, develop an operational plan, make suitable arrangements to protect children from other users of the premises during all childcare and allocate a key worker to each child in the holiday club and pre-school. Good progress has been made to address these issues. All parents are now asked to sign a consent form ensuring that in an emergency, staff are able to carry out their wishes regarding treatment of their child. A draft operational plan has been developed which will help to ensure consistency in the care of the children, but this has yet to be printed and made available to parents. Arrangements to monitor children moving about the building have been re-assessed and staff have been made aware of the issue of accompanying older children to the toilet to increase protection. Each child in the pre-school has been assigned a key worker who

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What has improved since the last inspection?

assesses and records their progress and liaises with parents. In the holiday club, room supervisors now take the role of the key staff member and provide a contact person for children and parents.

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What is being done well?

• Good opportunities are provided for creative play in the pre-school and a clear evaluation of activities is undertaken in all areas of care. • Staff work hard to create and maintain a warm, inviting environment. • A good selection of toys and play equipment is available in all groups including an excellent range of resources which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, disability and gender.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• risk assessment to ensure that safety is monitored throughout the premises; • monitoring of children's behaviour and involvement in activities in the pre-school to ensure that they are engaged in purposeful play; • the complaints procedure to include details of how to contact the regulator.

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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 3 make sure that staff monitor the children’s involvement in activities and stimulate their interest in suitable and beneficial activities; 6 conduct a risk assessment on the premises identifying action(s) to be taken to minimize identified risks (or specify part of premises) 12 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint and includes contact details for the regulator.

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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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