Lakenheath Little Fishes

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 16/07/2003 Inspector Name Susan Patricia Foulger

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Little Fishes Lakenheath Setting Address Cricket Club, Eriswell Road Brandon Suffolk IP27 9AF

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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

Little Fishes Pre-school is a committee run village pre-school offering sessional care. First registered in 1989 it now operates from the Lakenheath cricket pavilion and serves the local area. The pre-school is registered for 25 children aged from two and a half to five years. Children attend for a variety of sessions and the pre-school can offer support for children with special needs. There are currently 45 children from two and a half years on roll. This includes 32 funded three and four year olds. The pre-school is usually open for five days a week during term time from 9.a.m. to 12 noon and from 12:15 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. Four staff work with the children. They all have early years qualifications and are trained first aiders. The pre-school takes students from the West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds. The setting is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and receives support from the Early

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Information about the setting

Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Little Fishes Pre-school provides a good standard of care overall for children aged two and a half to five years. The pre-school environment is warm and welcoming and premises clean and well maintained. The overall organisation of the pre-school is good, although there is not a systematic operational plan. Records required are all in place. There are some gaps in written policy statements and a few need updating, but the pre-school have plans to deal with this. The staff's experience and commitment to on going training enables them to provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment for the children. Standards of safety are high and regular safety checks are carried out in the shared building. There is a high staff: child ratio operating in the sessions. The quality of care and learning for children is especially good. The pre-school is well equipped and children are able to select their own toys

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How good is the Day Care?

in free play sessions thus encouraging self confidence and initiative. Consideration is given to support the inclusion of children with special needs. Children are generally well behaved. Children are encouraged in good hygiene practices and generally records and policies promoting the children's health are in place. Snacks are nutritious and varied and drinking water is always available. Relationships with parents and carers is good. Records of the children's progress is shared on a regular basis through parent evenings and newsletters also keep parents well informed. The required documentation is well organised and kept confidential. This maintains the efficient and safe management of the pre-school.

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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

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the pre-school was asked to obtain local procedures in cases of child abuse. This has been done and also now all staff are trained in child protection. The pre-school was asked to provide an incident record book and put in place medication record and consent forms, together with parental permission for seeking emergency advice or treatment. All these are currently in place. Drinking water is now provided; a jug and beakers are available for the children to help themselves throughout the session. Since the last inspection an outside play area has been provided which is securely fenced and gated. All staff and committee officers have completed the necessary statutory check forms and sent them to Ofsted as requested.

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What is being done well?

Staff are trained well above the minimum required standards in all areas of qualifications and training. All staff are trained in first aid and child protection. On going training is encouraged and paid for by the pre-school. Topics covered also include food hygiene, special needs, and behaviour. (Standard 2) The children are offered many activities and experiences that enable them to make choices and thus develop their knowledge, skills and understanding. Especially good is the way that the teaching of mathematics and letters underpin many play activities. The staff use every opportunity so that children are learning to count, add and subtract in a fun way. (Standard 3) The pre-school provides a good range of accessible toys and resources. A broad range of activities is offered, helping the children develop their creativity and imagination. Multi-cultural resources give the children the chance to learn about other cultures and helps to promote equality. (Standard 5) A well thought

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What is being done well?

out comprehensive policy allows the pre-school to ably support children with special needs. (Standard 10) New families are welcomed and invited to spend time in the pre-school prior to starting. The pre-school tries to keep open good lines of communication with parents through records, parents' evenings, newsletters and home visits. (Standard 12)

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What needs to be improved?

The operational plan needs to be gathered together and written as one document. (Standard 2) Polices for sick or ill children need to be devised. (Standard 7) Minor changes in some written policies. (Standard 14) Accessibility of Policies to parents (Standard 12)

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WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NEXT?

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 2 To write an operational plan with reference to Standard 2.4 of the Guidance. 2 To consider introducing a visitor’s book. 9 That the policies are displayed for the parents to look at 7 To devise a written policy for sick and ill children

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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 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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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

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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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