Hind Leys Pre-school and Natural Play Centre

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 23/06/2004 Inspector Name Gillian Bryce

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Hind Leys Pre-School Setting Address Forest Street Shepshed Loughborough Leicestershire LE12 9DB

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Hind Leys Pre-School Address Forest Street Shepshed Loughborough Leicestershire LE12 9DB

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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

Hind Leys Pre-school Playgroup opened in 1976. It operates from a ground floor room within the local community college with the use of a kitchen, toilet block, sports hall, lower foyer area, library and outer gated area. The immediate college grounds are available for outside play. The pre-school serves the local community of Shepshed and surrounding villages. There are currently 65 children from 2 to 5 years on roll. This includes 22 funded 3-year-olds and 10 funded 4-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports two children with special educational needs and provides a service to children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week during school term-times. Sessions are from 09:15 until 12:00 with a lunch break between 12:00 to 13:00, Monday to Friday, and 13:30 until 15:30 each day, except Wednesday. There is one full-time and nine part-time staff who work with the children. All have

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Information about the setting

early years qualifications to NVQ level two or three including three who are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from a teacher/mentor from the Leicestershire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Hind Leys Pre-School playgroup provides good quality care for children. Staff provide a warm, welcoming, stimulating environment which offers scope for a very wide range of activities and experiences including active play and relaxation. Children use the space and resources with confidence. The operational plan works well in practice; procedures, policies and documentation are generally well organised and cover most required areas. Staff training is given a high priority. Arrangements for most health and safety issues are generally very positive with good hygiene routines established and priority is given to maintaining children's safety. Individual dietary requirements are known and children are offered a variety of nutritious, healthy refreshments. Procedures are in place to regularly carry out risk assessments, the cleaning and checking of equipment and fire evacuation. The experienced staff work very well together interacting closely with the children.

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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 The staff include children in setting behavioural boundaries and routines ensuring they are happy, secure and valued. All staff are fully involved in planning an effective curriculum and programme of exciting and interesting activities appropriate for the development and learning needs for children of all ages and capabilities. The pre-school is very well-resourced with diversity and positive images reflected throughout the toys, play materials and experiences provided. The parent committee run pre-school works well in partnership with parents and carers encouraging involvement and active participation on an informal basis. Information about the children and provision is provided in a variety of ways. Each receives a comprehensive prospectus and enrolment pack. The notice board and

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How good is the Day Care?

general surroundings are used to display information, policies and procedures. Daily verbal feedback, regular newsletters and parents meetings are used to share information.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the pre-school agreed to three actions. The exit door is now fitted with an alarm ensuring children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised, a visitor record book is available and maintained but the request to obtain written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is unclear and remains outstanding. By completing these actions the pre-school ensures children benefit from a safe environment and parents are further reassured.

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What is being done well?

• The comprehensive operational plan underpins the day to day running of the group and ensures the very able staff team provide a very good range of exciting, interesting and enjoyable learning and play opportunities for children. • Training is given a high priority and there is an appraisal system in place which is linked to staff development. • Staff interact well with the children who are happy and confident. All children are able to make choices depending on their interests and take part in a wide range of well planned activities. They are confident, relating well to others, able to make decisions, explore and investigate the rich accessible resources. • The behaviour management policy is consistently applied with much encouragement and praise. Children know what is expected of them and benefit by helping one another take turns, share and understand that good manners and kindness are valued. • There is a strong emphasis on equal opportunities throughout the setting.

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What is being done well?

The rich resources are wide ranging, diverse and adapted to meet individual need and capability ensuring all benefit and learn about the wider world and children with special educational needs are fully supported. • The partnership with parents and carers is very good with a committed parent

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What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 committee which encourages involvement. The key worker system, newsletters and opportunities to meet with staff on a regular basis ensures parents and carers are regularly consulted about the needs of their children and informed of their progress both verbally and in writing.

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What needs to be improved?

• the record systems for accidents and incidents ensuring confidentiality is maintained • the first aid box contents • the system to request written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 7 Request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. 7 Ensure that the first aid box contents determined in the first aid training course are checked frequently and replaced as necessary. 12 Ensure systems for recording accidents/incidents maintain confidentiality.

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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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