St John's Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 06/11/2003 Inspector Name Frances Shaw

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St. John's Pre School Setting Address St John's Centre Greenway Road Widnes Cheshire WA8 6HA

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St. John's Pre School XN57462

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St. John's Pre School Address St Johns House Greenway Road Widnes WA8 6HA

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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

St John's Pre-School has been registered for eight months and operates from a church hall in the Appleton area of Widnes and serves the local community. There are currently 27 children on roll, six of whom receive funding. The group currently supports children with a special need. The group is open from Monday to Friday between 9:00 and 12:00, term times only. The group offers sessional care for up to 26 children aged from two and a half to five years. Over half the staff have a recognised early years qualification and the group is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

St John's pre-school offers a good standard of care for young children. The playroom is light and airy with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The group makes good use of space using a large hall which is organised into designated play areas giving children free movement for play activities. Priority is given to staff training with regular staff meetings, appraisals and planning which ensures they understand their roles and responsibilities and enables them to work well together, although this is not extended to child protection awareness. A staff induction takes place for new members of staff but there is no documentation available to support this procedure. There are good safety and hygiene systems in place with a daily risk assessment completed to ensure children can play safely and be collected appropriately. However, there is no provision for a record of visitors to effectively manage access to the building. Appropriate documentation is used to support children's individual

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How good is the Day Care?

needs although parental consent is not available to record administration of medication. A wide range of toys and equipment is provided with a well thought out plan of activity which encompasses all areas of children's development through play. Toys are stored at child level giving them easy access to their equipment. Emphasis is given to providing resources and activities that present positive images of diversity and culture giving children wider experiences of the world around them. A good relationship is maintained with parents which is reflected in positive

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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 comments received in parental questionnaires. Various methods are used to keep parents informed to include regular contact with the key worker, progress charts, letters, a notice board and parents meetings. Parents are given access to policies.

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What is being done well?

• Good use of space, staff deployment, and storage systems enables children to have free movement in the play room and have easy access to their toys and play equipment which is stored at child level. • Staff work well together and have regular meetings to plan activities and use rotas to ensure they all understand their roles and responsibilities. There is a commitment to staff training with regular appraisals taking place. • A wide range of toys, equipment and activities are provided that are age appropriate with emphasis being made to resources that reflect positive images of diversity and culture. • There are good safety and hygiene systems in place which ensure safe collection of children and a daily risk assessment completed to ensure children can play safely. • There is a good relationship with parents which is maintained by keeping them informed by various methods and using children's progress charts

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What is being done well?

which are implemented by a key worker system and having parent's meetings. Parents are included in behaviour management which takes home circumstances into consideration. •• A commitment is made to caring for children with special needs and to working with other agencies to provide appropriate care.

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What needs to be improved?

• the procedure for including relevant contact numbers on the child protection policy and to produce documentation to support the staff induction procedure • the systems for managing access to the building • the systems for furthering staff awareness of identifying signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and to obtain parental consent for the administration of medication.

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Outcome of the 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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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 Produce documentation to support the staff induction procedure. 6 Devise a system to effectively manage access to the building. 7 Obtain written parental consent for the administration of medication. 13 Include relevant contact names and telephone numbers in the child protection policy statement and ensure that staff can identify signs and symptoms of abuse.

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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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