Plymouth High School for Girls

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 20/07/2004 Inspector Name Tonia Chilcott

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Hopscotch Pre-School Setting Address Aldingbourne Community Centre Olivers Meadow,Westergate Chichester West Sussex PO20 3YA

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

Hopscotch Preschool first opened in 1981. It is registered to care for no more than 26 children under five years of age. It operates from Aldingbourne Community Centre in Westergate. The preschool serves the local area. There are currently 52 children from two to five years on roll. This includes ten funded three year olds and 28 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. Children with special needs and English as an additional language are supported. The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:30 until 12:00 Monday to Friday morning and 13:00 until 15:30 Monday and Thursday afternoons. Five members of staff work with the children. Four have early years qualifications. One member of staff is currently on training programmes. The setting receives support from a mentor from the West Sussex Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYCDP), and the First Visiting Team. The preschool is a

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Information about the setting

member of the Preschool Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

Hopscotch pre-school offers good quality care for children. The staff ensure that children are protected at all times. Space is used well to ensure that children have clear access to all activities. Children are confident in the warm and welcoming environment. A wide range of toys and equipment is available that meet the needs of all children. The record keeping system ensures that all relevant documentation is available, although some documents lack the necessary detail. Staff give high priority to children's safety and regularly undertake risk assessments to ensure that all areas are safe. Children are encouraged to have good personal hygiene and are provided with a variety of snacks that are both healthy and meet the individual needs of all children. All children are treated as individuals and children with special needs are supported well. Staff have a good awareness of child protection and the procedures that need to be followed.

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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 Children are provided with a wide range of activities and their development is monitored by staff on a regular basis. Information is obtained from parents that allows staff to offer individual care to children including children with special needs. Children behave well and respond well to the staff's praise and encouragement. Parents are provided with regular information about their child's development in a variety of ways. They access a range of information about the group and the provision offered to children.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the group were asked to ensure a medication book is in place and up to date. Staff have now developed systems to record details of any medication administered to children. This information is shared with parents on a daily basis, ensuring that they are aware of all details.

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What is being done well?

• Staff provide a warm and welcoming environment for children and parents. They plan the layout of the activities carefully to ensure that children are able to access activities within the clearly defined areas. Children are secure and confident. • Children are involved in a wide range of activities to support their learning. Staff spend time getting to know the children and respond well to children's interests and what the children say and do. • The staff give high priority to children's safety. Regular risk assessments of the areas that are accessible to children are undertaken ensuring that a safe environment is offered to children, staff and parents. • Children with special needs are supported well. Staff have developed effective links with outside agencies to ensure that they are able to offer activities that will meet the needs of all children.

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What needs to be improved?

• the registration system, ensuring that the times of arrival and departure are accurately recorded for children, staff and visitors; • the complaints procedure, ensuring that it contains details of how to contact Ofsted.

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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 Ensure that the registration system records accurately the times of arrival of children, staff and visitors. 12 Make available to parents a written statement that provides contact details for Ofsted should they have a complaint

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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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