Burnt Ash Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 20/10/2003 Inspector Name Carole Elizabeth Price

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St Christopher's Playgroup Setting Address St Christopher's Church Hall Lincoln Avenue,Warden Hill, Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL51 5DD

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St Christopher's Playgroup 1053824

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St Christopher's Playgroup Address St Christopher's Church Hall Lincoln Avenue,Warden Hill Cheltenham GL51 5DD

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

St Christopher's Playgroup is a community group that started up thirty one years ago. They are managed by a voluntary committee of parents. They meet in St Christopher's Church Hall and have the use of two large rooms. All resources have to be taken out and put away at the end of the session. There is a grassed area with flower borders and a hard-surface car park that can be used for outdoor play. During school terms, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday sessions run from 09.00 to 11.45. During the spring and summer terms there are additional sessions on Monday and Friday from 12.55 to 15.10. Sessions for three-year-olds and four-year-olds run at the same time and flexibility allows for the older children to use the larger room for physical activities for some of the time. Five staff work with the children on rotation on different days. The staff team are appropriately qualified for their roles within the group.

p.2

Information about the setting

There are currently eighteen children in receipt of nursery education funding. There are no children with statements of special educational needs. There are no children for whom English is an additional language.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

St Christopher's Playgroup provides satisfactory care for children. The play leader and deputy both have a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Child Care and Education. The premises are clean, bright and well maintained and space within the setting is used effectively to provide different areas for different activities. There are a lack of displays of children's art work, posters and pictures at an appropriate level for children to see and to help them feel that their work is valued. Most policies are clear and up to date. The medication and complaints procedure do not have sufficient detail. Staff are very aware of safety issues and ensure that the areas used by the children are safe. They have a clear health statement which includes an exclusion policy for children and staff who may have an infectious illness. Hand washing routines, particularly before the children eat, are inappropriate. There is a clear child

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

protection policy for staff and parents including the action to be taken if an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff. Staff have limited knowledge about the action to take in order to ensure appropriate support for children with special needs

p.2

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 is available. A good balance and range of interesting and stimulating activities and resources are provided for the children at each session. Resources are easily accessible to the children and provide plenty of choice within each session. All children are valued and respected as individuals within the group. Staff praise and encourage children for small achievements and value good behaviour. Not all staff consistently apply the behaviour management policy. Staff are aware of the need to work in partnership with parents and provide a good range of information for parents.

p.2

What has improved since the last inspection?

Actions required at the last inspection included: carrying out a risk assessment; drafting and implementing a medication policy including recording medication administered; recording the times of attendance of children and staff and keeping a record of all visitors. The risk assessment has been carried out and any hazards identified made safe to ensure the children are protected while at the play group. The medication policy has been implemented but some detail is missing to ensure that parents area aware when, and how much medication, has been administered while their child has been in the care of the playgroup. The parents now sign for the children as they arrive and visitors sign the visitors book. This ensures that staff are aware of the number of children present and any visitors to the premises.

p.3

What is being done well?

• Space within the setting is used effectively to provide different areas for different activities such as creative play and imaginative play. • A good balance and range of activities is provided for the children at each session. • Resources are easily accessible to the children and provide plenty of choice within each session. • Staff are very aware of safety issues and ensure that the areas used by children are safe. • There is a clear child protection policy for staff and parents which includes the action to be taken if an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• complaints procedure; • recording of medication administered; • hand washing arrangements, particularly before snack; • awareness of action to take if a child in the group is identified or admitted with

p.3

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 special needs. • staff consistency in applying the behaviour management policy.

p.3

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.

p.4

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

Std Action Date 14 make a written statement available to parents, that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint - including Ofsted contact details. 24/10/2003

p.4

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 7 ensure children are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene through the daily routine and suitable practices are in place regarding hand washing. 10 make sure there is regard to the Code of Practice for Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs in order that children with special needs may be well supported. 11 develop all staff’s knowledge and understanding of the behaviour management policy and ensure this is consistently applied by all staff. 14 keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children.

p.4

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

p.4

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

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

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

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

p.5

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

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

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6