Croughton Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 12/05/2003 Inspector Name Jill Hunn

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Croughton Cuddles Playgroup and Pre School Setting Address Croughton Village Hall Croughton Northamptonshire NN13 5ND

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Croughton Cuddles Playgroup and Pre School 1021218

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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

Croughton Cuddles Playgroup and Pre school has been registered since October 2002. It operates from the community centre which is situated at one end of the playing field, and is close to the centre of the village. The group serves the local community in Croughton and the surrounding villages. The premises consist of an entrance area, main room, wet play room, kitchen, storage cupboards and toilets. The parish room and pavilion are not used. There is an enclosed paved area for outdoor activities, and the adjacent playground is also used on occassions. The group is managed by a committee and is run by two persons in charge and three other members of staff. There are currently 20 children on roll. This includes three funded three year olds and four funded four year olds. There are no children with special educational needs or children who speak English as an additional language. Croughton Cuddles is open each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during term

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Information about the setting

time, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The setting receives support from a teacher from Northamptonshire Early Years Development and Child Care Partnership, and is a member of the Pre School Learning Alliance. Registration is to provide sessional day care for 26 children aged from two to under five years.

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How good is the Day Care?

Croughton Cuddles Playgroup and Pre School provides satisfactory care for children. The committee have a clear plan of how the group operates which is used as a working tool and ensures that staff have a consistent approach to their work. A detailed and well documented induction programme is used to inform new staff. There is an excellent range of policies and procedures. Documentation is clear and well managed, but requires more detail in a few areas. The premises are attractive, clean and secure. Staff use screens imaginatively to section off the large area of the main room, but ensure children can extend their play and move freely between activities. Effective use is made of risk assessment to highlight and eliminate potential hazards. There is a good range of varied activities to enable the children to progress. Staff are interested in what children do and say. They ask questions to develop children's thinking skills, and consistently praise and encourage them. As a

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How good is the Day Care?

result children are involved and confident in their activities. Children respond well to clear boundaries, they help tidy away toys, assist at snack time and behave very well. There are good relationships with parents who give positive comments about the group. The committee and staff provide parents with a range of useful information. Staff exchange information about the children's progress and work with parents to resolve issues.

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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?

This is the first inspection since registration.

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What is being done well?

There is a comprehensive operational plan with aims and objectives of the setting identified. (standard 2) The excellent standard of policies and procedures inform parents and staff (standards 2 and 14) The premises are secure and effective measures are in place to identify potential hazards and ensure that children and staff are safe. (standard 6) Staff give children clear guidance and boundaries. They consistently praise and encourage children and involve them in tasks to develop their independence and confidence. As a result children behave very well. (standard 11)

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What needs to be improved?

documentation, by recording times of arrival and departure of all staff, children and visitors (standards 2 and 14) staff qualification levels, by providing an action plan of how the requirement for half the staff to achieve a level two qualification will be met (standard 2) safety, by ensuring that public liability insurance is held (standard 6) the range of resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity and disability. (standard 9)

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

Std Action Date 14 make sure that a daily record is kept of the names of the children looked after on the premises, their hours of attendance and the names of the persons who looked after them 12/05/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 set out an action plan detailing how the criterion that at least half of all child care staff hold a level 2 qualification will be met 6 make sure that times of departure are recorded in the visitors record 6 make sure that public liability insurance is held

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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 9 ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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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