Noah's Ark Nursery Group

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 19/05/2003 Inspector Name Nicola Mary Eileen Matthews

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Bures Pre-school/Playgroup Setting Address Bures Village Hall Bures Suffolk CO8 5BX

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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

Bures Pre-School Playgroup opened over 20 years ago. It operates from one large room in the Bures village hall. The provision serves the local area. The group is registered for 26 children aged two to five years. There are currently 31 children from two to five years on roll. This includes funded three and four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. A minority of children have special needs. The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:05 until 12:00 hours, Monday to Friday. Five full time staff work with the children. Two have early year qualifications. One member of staff is currently on a training programme. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP). They are members of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

Bures Pre-school Playgroup provides good quality care overall for children aged two to five years. Staff give high priority to ensuring children's safety using comprehensive health and safety procedures. Staff ensure that the safe and hygienic preparation and serving of food is maintained by following the guidance in their 'food file'. The procedures for employing staff are conducted within a equal opportunities framework. Staff have ongoing supervision and annual appraisals. They update their knowledge of child care and education on a regular basis. The key worker system is effective. Staff update the children's developmental records regularly and formulate plans for progression, which are shared with parents and other staff. This enables the staff to provide for children's individual needs during each session. Children with special educational needs are supported well. Staff organise a wide range of good quality play resources and activities for each session.

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How good is the Day Care?

Children are developing their independence and concentration skills by being able to play for long periods of time at their chosen activity. There is good partnership with parents and carers. They know what is happening through daily updates of activities and information written on an easel at the end of each session, short term curriculum planning handouts and regular newsletters.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provider agreed to, make sure the provision operated within local planning and building control requirements, enable children to access fresh drinking water throughout the session, enusre that all staff and committee

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What has improved since the last 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 members undertake the appropriate checks and to gain written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. The group hire the village hall, so do not require planning permission, fresh drinking water is provided on a low table at all of the sessions, vetting forms have been completed by all staff and committee members and written parental permission has been gained to seek emergency medical advice and treatment.

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What is being done well?

Staff training is given a high priority which ensure that they update their knowledge regularly (Standard 2) Staff provide a wide range of good quality play resources and activities at each session which support the children's overall development. They use the observations of children's development to inform them of the child's next step and how to provide for this (Standard 3 ) There are comprehensive policies for health and safety and food handling in place, ensuring that the children's health and dietary needs are catered for very well (Standard 8) Behaviour management is very good. Children know the boundaries for behaviour, they share, take turns and respond well to requests to tidy away toys (Standard 11) Partnership with parents is very good. Parents know what is going on through regular dissemination of information about what the children have done and are going to do. This encourages their participation in their child's learning (Standard 12) Comprehensive policies and

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What is being done well?

procedures are in place. These are shared with parents and enable the effective managment and running of the provision (Standard 14)

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What needs to be improved?

documentation, to have a written procedure for lost children (Standard 14) recording of vehicles' appropriate insurance when they are used for outings (Standard 6) resources selected at story time, so that children's language is developed (Standard 3) access to resources, so that all children are supported and included in play of their choice (Standard 9)

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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 14 ensure the procedure to be followed in the event of a lost child is written down 3 ensure resources selected at story time encourage children’s language development 6 ensure drivers using their own transport have adequate insurance 9 ensure all children have access to the resources available

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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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