Curdworth Pre School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 20/05/2003 Inspector Name Shami Kumar

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name CURDWORTH PRE-SCHOOL Setting Address ST NICHOLAS CHURCH HALL CURDWORTH NORTH WARKS B76 9ES

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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

Curdworth Pre-School opened in 1993. The pre-school is located in the church hall of Saint Nicholas, in the village of Curdworth, on the outskirts of Coleshill. Children attending the pre-school mainly come from Curdworth and the surrounding villages. There is one main room with toilet and kitchen facilities. There is no outside play area, therefore the children are taken to the local park. The supervisor has completed specific training in exercise for young children and sessions of physical exercise form part of daily planning. The group is registered to offer sessional care to 24 children aged from two years nine months to five years. At present there are twenty one children on roll, with a daily attendance averaging 14. This includes six funded three year olds and five funded four year olds. The pre-school is willing to support children who have special needs and children who speak English as an

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Information about the setting

additional language. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, from 9.30 am to 12.00 noon, term time only. The group is a voluntary organisation, and has an active committee. There are three staff who directly work with the children, with two of them working towards a suitable early years qualification. The pre-school is visited and supported by the local advisory teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Curdworth Pre-School provides satisfactory care for children aged between the ages of two to under five years of age. Staff ensure that children are safe inside and safety precautions are taken when children are taken for walks and to the park within the local area. Staff are very conscious about safety and a risk assessment has been carried out on the areas used to identify any hazards. All staff have attended first aid courses. However, the first aid box needs to be made more easily accessible. Equipment, toys and resources are regularly checked and well maintained. Staff work together as a team and support each other. All staff are involved in planning activities for the children. Staff manage children's behaviour well and encourage the children to be independent, confident, and praise and compliment them. However, the pre-school does not have a suitable contingency arrangements in place to cover emergencies and unexpected staff absences. The

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How good is the Day Care?

provision provides an interesting range of activities for the children and encourages them to make their own choices about play and learning. There are opportunities for children to explore and use their imagination in a variety of creative and constructive activities. However, there are times during the day when children spend long periods of sitting, which causes them to become bored and restless. Children have a good

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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 understanding of good hygiene, and the children are provided with a drink and a snack during the session, but do not have easy access to fresh drinking water at all times. The staff work well in partnership with parents. Parents are kept well informed about activities through daily feedback, parents rota, regular newsletters, and being involved as part of the committee. Policies and procedures have been developed by the pre-school. However, the pre-school needs to expand and devise certain policies and procedures.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the inspection the provider produced a letter from Ofsted which detailed the following actions to be addressed. Parents were to sign medical consent forms everyday, any incidents were to be recorded, to update complaints policy informing parents of Ofsted's role and telephone number, update child protection policy, paper towels to be introduced, religious and ethnic origin to be included on registration forms. Since the last inspection the pre-school has taken on board all the issues raised at the last inspection. The medication book is now countersigned by parents everyday. There is a book to record any incidents which may arise. The complaints policy has been updated and now includes Ofsted's role and the telephone number for parents. The child protection policy has been updated and the procedures to be followed. The children now dry their hands on paper towels which have been introduced and the registration forms now include religious and ethnic origin of

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What is being done well?

Range of interesting activities where children are able to make choices and which cover all areas of learning. (Standard 3) Good relationships have formed between children and staff as well as within the peer group. Staff are interested in what the children say and respond appropriately. (Standard 3) Children are well behaved, independent, confident, and eager to join in with activities. The children are happy and well settled. (Standard 11) Space, resources and equipment are used imaginatively to create a stimulating environment. (Standard 4) Individual needs of children are met well. The staff know the children well and spend time talking and helping them to learn in small groups as well as individually. Children are introduced to different cultures and festivals so that they able to understand similarities and differences. (Standard 9)

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What needs to be improved?

the policies need to be expanded in order to notify Ofsted of any serious injury or death to a child and any notifiable infectious diseases; (Standard 7) fresh drinking water needs to be made available to children at all times; (Standard 8) the procedures to be followed and devised in the event of a child being lost; (Standard 14) first aid box to be made easily accessible to all staff; (Standard 7) planning of activities to avoid children sitting for long periods of time in groups; (Standard 3) contingency arrangements to cover emergencies and unexpected staff absences. (Standard 2)

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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

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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 14 Develop a written statement of procedures to be followed if a child is lost. 30/06/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Ensure that suitable contingency arrangements are in place to cover emergencies and unexpected staff absences. 3 Ensure that children are kept interested in activities and do not spend long periods of time sitting in groups. 7 Expand policies to include notifying Ofsted of any serious injury or death to a child and any notifiable infectious diseases. 7 Ensure that the first aid box is accessible. 8 Provide fresh drinking water for children at all times.

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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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