John Shelton Infant School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 20/11/2003 Inspector Name Jane Wakelen

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Cobtree Playschool For Special Children Setting Address Cobtree Hall, Mote Park, Willington Street Maidstone Kent ME15 8EB

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name MENCAP Address Cobtree Hall Willington Street Maidstone Kent ME15 8EB

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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

Cobtree Playschool for Special children opened in 1968. It is run by a charity, Mencap, and operates in a building owned by Mencap, situated on the edge of a large park, in Maidstone. The group uses two downstairs rooms for the main activities with one additional room downstairs and two upstairs for children to have one to one sessions or small group work with therapists. There are currently 16 children aged from 18 months to 5 years on roll. This includes eight funded three and four year olds. Children usually attend on both days and if not are on the waiting list to attend the second day. The setting operates for children with special needs. The group opens Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 to 14:00, term time only. Nine paid staff work at the group, which comprises six staff paid for by Mencap and three staff paid by the Local Authority. Paid staff include the Supervisor, Deputy, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Teacher, Speech

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Information about the setting

Therapist Assistant and two pre-school staff. All other adults are volunteers providing one to one care for the children.

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How good is the Day Care?

Cobtree Playschool for Special Children offers a good standard of care for children. The group operates two days a week, with nine paid staff, these include therapists and a teacher. The rooms are welcoming and warm and effective use is made of the available space to meet all children's individual needs. However, two rooms are upstairs and this can make access difficult for some children. The group are awaiting a lift to transport children to the second floor. All equipment has been purchased especially for the group to ensure children are able to participate in all activities. Staff have a good awareness of health, hygiene and safety issues and have measures in place to ensure children are safe whilst at the group. Children are treated on an individual basis and have an Individual educational plan designed for them, to ensure their needs are met. Planning is flexible to ensure children, work within the six areas of learning, but

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How good is the Day Care?

ensure their own learning needs are respected and encouraged. The teacher has

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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 designed sheets in line with the foundation stage, six areas of learning and are being implemented. Children are paired with an adult as their keyworker to enable them to have continuous adult support. Behaviour is managed in a calm, controlled way with the knowledge that each child has a different level of understanding. Praise and encouragement are used continuously. Staff and adults work in partnership with parents to provide continuity of care and ensure all children's needs are being met. Regular reviews take place regarding the children's progress with the necessary, adult, professional and parent present. I.E.P.'s are then updated or continued in line with the child's progress.

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What is being done well?

• Staff fully interact with the children, on a one to one basis, giving them praise and encouragement to have a go and enable them to develop to their full potential. • All equipment enables children, with adult support, to learn new skills and concepts through their play and build on existing knowledge and ability. • A good range of freshly cooked food is prepared on the premises for the children. • Staff, parents and professionals work together to provide continuity of care to ensure each child's needs are met.

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What needs to be improved?

• the accident book, so that it is signed by the parents • a separate accident book to record any accidents to staff • the resources to reflect positive images of our diverse society.

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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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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 6 Devise a system for parents to ensure they acknowledge information regarding any accidents at group. 6 Ensure all staff accidents are recorded in a separate book to children’s accidents. 9 Expand resources to reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity and disability.

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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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