John Shelton Junior School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/01/2005 Inspector Name Linda Patricia Coccia

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Cobham Community Pre-School Setting Address Meadow Rooms, The Street Cobham Gravesend Kent DA12 3BZ

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Cobham Community Pre School

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Cobham Community Pre School Address Meadow Rooms The Street, Cobham Gravesend Kent DA12 3BZ

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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

Cobham Community Pre-School opened in 1986 and operates from one room in a community hall. It is situated in the village of Cobham, Kent. A maximum of 24 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 09.15 to 11.55 and 12.55 to 14.55 (Fridays am only) for 38 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 42 children aged from 2 years to under 5 years on roll. Of these 27 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a local catchment area. The nursery currently has no children with special educational needs or who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs six staff, four of which, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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How good is the Day Care?

Cobham Community Pre-school provides good quality care for children. The staff have very good relationships with the children and their parents. The day care is well organised. Staff work effectively as a team. The operational plan is well written and made available to parents. An attendance record is well maintained but needs to include children's arrival and departure times. The group's complaints policy needs to include the Ofsted complaints helpline number. Premises, toys and equipment are clean and well maintained and space is well used. The children are safe and well cared for. Daily risk assessments are carried out and the premises are secure. Children practise emergency evacuation procedures. The group's accident and medication records are well maintained and are confidential but written parental permission for emergency medical treatment and also the taking of children's photographs needs to be obtained. Photographic evidence needs to be

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How good is the Day Care?

dated. Children are offered drinks and snacks which are healthy and nutritious but they could be offered more choices and helped to be more independent at snack times. The group has child protection procedures which are in line with their local authority guidelines. The group can support children with special needs. The group provides a very good selection of toys and activities which help children

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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 develop in all areas of learning. Toys are displayed so that children can reach them easily and children can play with all toys regardless of gender. There are plenty of positive images of race and culture displayed, however the group could provide more positive images of disability. Staff praise and encourage good behaviour and children are well behaved and co-operative. The group has plenty of written evidence of positive feedback from parents. They are given lots of written information about how the group functions and contact books are sent home daily. Records are readily available for inspection.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The pre-school previously offered a drop off service for children in certain circumstances. They were asked at their previous inspection to provide Insurance and MOT documents for the vehicle being used. This service is no longer on offer, therefore documents are no longer required.

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What is being done well?

• The staff have very good relationships with the children. They enjoy their company and know them well. They spend a lot of time talking and playing with children and helping them to learn. The children are very happy and settled. • The group has an extensive selection of good quality toys and equipment. They use these to plan stimulating and exciting activities to promote children's development e.g. Spaghetti painting provides an entirely different craft activity. Children are happy and engaged in their play. • The premises are safe and secure for children. Appropriate safety equipment such as socket covers are used. The children practise evacuation procedures to enable them to leave the premises safely in an emergency. • The group has good procedures for the safe collection of children. Parents provide information on a daily basis, recorded in a collection book, of persons able to collect their child. Children are kept safe and only collected by

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What is being done well?

authorised persons. • The staff use positive and consistent strategies to manage children's behaviour. Strategies are planned to ensure individual children's needs are met and are attained. The children are well behaved and co-operative with staff. • The group have effective procedures for sharing children's progress records with parents. Parent's can access the records whenever they want. The group also provide parents with daily contact books to ensure children receive consistent care.

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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 • the children's arrival and departure times, to be recorded in the attendance record if different from the group's core times • the dating of photographic evidence • the written parental permissions for children's emergency medical treatment, and the taking of children's photographs • the range of toys promoting positive images of disability • the choices of food and drink offered to children at snack times • the opportunities offered to children to become more independent at snack time.

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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 5 Assess current range of toys and activities for positive images of disability and increase the range if necessary. 8 Increase the choices of food and drink given to children at snack times and encourage them to become more independant.

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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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