Sandcastles Preschool Playgroup

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 02/03/2004 Inspector Name Nicola Jayne Pascoe

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Sandcastles Preschool Playgroup Setting Address Connor Downs Sunday School Turnpike Road, Connor Downs Hayle Cornwall TR27 5DT

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Sandcastles Preschool Playgroup 4884359

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Sandcastles Preschool Playgroup Address Connor Downs Sunday School Turnpike Road, Connor Downs Hayle Cornwall TR27 5DT

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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

Sandcastles Pre-School opened in 2002. It operates from the church hall in the village of Connor downs, near Hayle. They have use of a large hall, kitchen and toilet facilities. The pre-school serves the local and surrounding areas. There are currently 18 children aged from 2 to 5 years on roll. This includes 11 funded 3 year olds and 2 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs. There are no children attending who speak English as an additional language. The group opens 4 days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 9:00 until 11:30. There are 4 part-time and 1 full-time staff who work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 3. One member of staff is currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from a mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare

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Information about the setting

Partnership (EYDCP) and the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA).

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How good is the Day Care?

Sandcastles Pre-School provides good standards of care for children. There are effective procedures in place to appoint suitably qualified staff. However, there are no formal systems in place for staff induction. Staff make good use of the space available in order to provide suitable areas for rest and play. However, there are unsatisfactory arrangements for hand washing. The committee have recently updated policies and procedures, but they do not relate specifically to the setting. Staff are not yet familiar with the content of these policies. All records are shared appropriately with parents and carers and confidentiality is maintained. Staff have developed good fire safety procedures. They have attended health and safety training. Arrangements for first aid treatment are appropriate. Children's individual dietary requirements are met well. Healthy snacks are available and regular drinks are provided. The Special Educational Needs Coordinator has

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How good is the Day Care?

attended relevant training and works closely with parents and professionals to support children well. Staff are confident in their ability to follow the Area Child protection Committee procedures. Children are enthusiastic to learn, all children participate actively in a broad and balanced range of sufficiently challenging activities, which promote learning in all

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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 areas. Staff listen and respond to children appropriately. Staff are good role models, they use age appropriate and positive methods of behaviour and demonstrate consistency in their approach. Children respond well and display high levels of behaviour, they are respectful and polite to others. The setting provides sufficient levels of information for parents and carers. Staff provide a welcoming environment and have developed good relationships with children and their families. However, there is no information available for committee and volunteers regarding their roles and responsibilities.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Sandcastles Pre-School was newly registered in 2002.

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What is being done well?

• Children are enthusiastic to learn, all children participate actively in a broad and balanced range of sufficiently challenging activities. They particularly enjoy role-play in the estate agents shop and creative opportunities to produce a collective painting of their homes and local environment. Staff listen and respond appropriately offering good levels of support. • Staff provide good levels of support for children with special needs. The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) has attended relevant training. She works closely with parents and professionals to develop appropriate individual education plans, which meet children's needs well. • Staff are good role models, they promote high levels of behaviour through a consistent approach and through use of age appropriate and positive methods. Children are respectful and polite to others, sharing fairly, negotiating during group play and listening respectfully to others. Staff offer

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What is being done well?

appropriate levels of praise and encouragement, which positively reinforces good standards of behaviour.

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What needs to be improved?

• the facilities for hand washing. • the revised policies and procedures, to include system for staff induction, details of roles and responsibilities and that they relate specifically to the setting.

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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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Develop and implement systems to ensure that the committee provide new staff with an appropriate induction programme. 4 Provide suitable hand washing facilities. 12 Develop systems with which committee, staff and volunteers are made aware of their roles and responsibilities. 14 Ensure that newly developed policies and procedures relate specifically to the setting and that staff, volunteers and committee are familiar with their content.

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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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