Kirk Merrington Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 23/11/2004 Inspector Name Donna Suzanne Lancaster

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Kirk Merrington Pre-School Setting Address Blue House Estate, Kirk Merrington Spennymoor County Durham DL16 7JD

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Kirk Merrington Pre-school

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Kirk Merrington Pre-school Address Blue House Estate, Kirk Merrington Spennymoor County Durham DL16 7JD

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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

Kirk Merrington playgroup was established over twenty years ago. The facility is operated by a committee of parents and staff. The playgroup offers sessional day care and is registered to care for twenty children aged two to under five years. It operates from a single storey building which is situated near the centre of the village. They operate from two rooms which are inter connected. There is access to an outdoor play area. The playgroup serves children from the local and surrounding areas. There are currently fifteen children on roll. This includes ten funded children. The group offer good support to children with special needs and a child with English as an additional language. Children can attend for a variety of sessions. The group are open five days a week 42 weeks a year. Sessions are from 09:00 to 12:30. Parents provide packed lunches for children. Three part time staff work with the children. All have relevant childcare qualifications.

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Information about the setting

The group receive regular support from the Local Authority.

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How good is the Day Care?

Kirk Merrington play group provides good quality care for children aged two to five years. Staff have recently achieved appropriate qualifications and have a consistent approach to their work through working as part of a team and accessing training offered. The environment is warm and welcoming, where children can feel safe and secure. There is a good range of appropriate play materials, which are easily accessible to the children. Toys and equipment available to children are stimulating, challenging and promote all areas of learning. Good resources are available to promote Equal Opportunities within the group. Staff have good relationships with the children, they talk to them, help them and encourage them with their play and activities. Children respond well to boundaries set for their behaviour and are happy and settled in the group. The children are well behaved. Staff have a good awareness of safety issues and complete a daily visual risk

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How good is the Day Care?

assessment of the premises. Staff promote good hygiene practices by encouraging children to wash hands. Appropriate measures are taken if a child becomes ill.

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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 Snacks and drinks are regularly provided. There is good communication with parents about individual dietary needs. Staff have a good understanding of child protection and procedures are in place. Complaints procedures are in place and include the relevant contact details. Parents are welcomed in to the group and staff are aware of establishing positive relationships with them to ensure they provide good quality care for children. There is a parental involvement policy in place and there are many opportunities for parents to be informed of general information from the group. Most documentation is in place, it is well organised, secure and maintained confidentially.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection there were actions made relating to staff qualifications and relevant details in documentation. The manager and deputy manager have recently achieved NVQ level 3 in childcare and they have ensured that all documentation contains the relevant details this ensuring that persons caring for children are suitable to do so and that parent's information contains the correct details.

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What is being done well?

• Staff have taken positive steps to promote good hygiene practices. • Documentation, is kept in a well organised and confidential manner and parents receive good written information relating to the group. • A good range of toys, equipment and play materials which are appropriate to the ages and stages of children development. Effective storage allows easy accessibility and promotes • children's independence and free choice. • Positive relationships have been developed with parents and information is shared on a daily basis. • Staff interact well with children in a way that make children relaxed, happy and confident in their care. • Children behave well. Staff have adopted a consistent and positive approach which promotes children's welfare and development. • The environment is warm and welcoming. Space is used effectively and organised to encourage children's independence and development.

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What needs to be improved?

• documentation with regard to ensuring the times of arrival and departure of children and staff are recorded in daily register.

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PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS (This section applies only to inspections carried out

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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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

Since 1st April 2004 Ofsted have not received any complaints about this provider.

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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 times of arrival and departure of children and staff are recorded in daily register.

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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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