Muddy Boots Pre School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 19/10/2004 Inspector Name Jan Clarke-Potter

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Muddy Boots Playgroup Setting Address Walgrave School Kettering Road, Walgrave Northampton Northamptonshire NN6 9PH

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Muddy Boots Playgroup Address Walgrave School Kettering Road, Walgrave Northampton Northamptonshire NN6 9PH

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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

Muddy Boots Pre-School opened in 1996. It operates from a self-contained building in the grounds of Walgrave Primary School. The playgroup serves the local community which is predominantly English speaking. There are currently 25 children from 2 years 6 months to 5 years on roll. This includes 13 funded 3-year-olds and 4 funded 4-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. There are no children currently attending who have special needs or whose first language is not English. The playgroup opens five mornings and two afternoons a week during school term time. Morning sessions take place from 09:00 to 11:45am on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 9:00am to 12:30 on Tuesday and from 12:30 to 15:00pm on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. There is one full-time member of staff who attends every session and two part-time staff who work with the children. Two members of staff have appropriate early years

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Information about the setting

qualifications and one member of staff is working towards early years qualifications. The playgroup receive support from a teacher/mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and is affiliated to the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

Muddy Boots Pre-school provides satisfactory care for children. Staff organise and supervise the available space well, allowing children to play freely and choose their own activities and resources. The premises are bright and cheerful, posters and children's work on the walls make the playgroup inviting and welcoming. The playgroup is well resourced. Most documentation is in place however some policies and procedures lack sufficient detail. There are effective procedures for health and safety. Fire drills are recorded and staff know their responsibilities. There are satisfactory procedures for hygiene and children are encouraged to learn about this during their daily routines. An orderly environment is maintained and children are encouraged to contribute to this by taking responsibility for putting toys and equipment away safely. There are play opportunities to allow children to develop necessary and important

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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 skills with particular emphasis given to children's social and educational development. Good attention is given to ensuring children settle happily into the group and to promoting their confidence and self-esteem. Staff are interested in what children do and say. They manage children's behaviour well and praise and encourage the children. Effective working relationships are fostered with parents for the children's well being, development and progress, and a good amount of information is shared on a daily basis. Parents are very positive about the playgroup.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the last inspection one of the joint supervisors has completed an appropriate early years qualification. The equal opportunities policy was not available on the day of inspection and this has been a continued recommendation. Since last inspection the group have devised a written statement based on local area child protection committee procedures, and are now familiar with the procedures in order to protect children.

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What is being done well?

• The children experience a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities. The group provides a good range of toys and equipment which are stimulating and fun, children are well occupied, challenged, and interested in their play. • Staff work together to ensure consistency in approach to managing children's behaviour. They set good examples and are positive role models. Good behaviour is valued and encouraged and children are treated with respect and kindness. • Staff have a good awareness of the importance of working in partnership with parents and carers, and ensuring children are looked after according to parent's wishes.

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What needs to be improved?

• records by including the times of attendance in the daily register • policies and procedures, by developing an equal opportunities policy, a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious, which is shared with parents, an outings policy, and by ensuring there is a procedure for lost or uncollected children.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

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 7 Devise and implement a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious and make sure parents are made aware of it. 9 Devise an equal opportunities policy that is consistent with current legislation and guidance. Ensure that this is understood and implemented by all staff and shared with parents. 14 Ensure that a procedure is in place in the event of a parent failing to collect a child or a child being lost. 14 Ensure a daily attendance record is maintained for children, showing times of arrival and departure.

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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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