Mollington Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 20/04/2004 Inspector Name Susan Patricia Birkenhead

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Mollington Pre School Setting Address Old School Building Grove Road Mollington Cheshire CH1 6LG

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Mollington Pre-School Committee 1016320

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Mollington Pre-School Committee Address Old School Building Grove Road Mollington Cheshire CH1 6LG

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Mollington Pre-school has been registered within the current premises since January 2002. The group is managed by a committee of parents who's children attend the Pre-school. It operates from the two rooms of the "Old School building", situated within the rural village of Mollington, Chester and is adjacent to St Oswald's county primary school. Children attend from the village and surrounding areas. There are currently 29 children from 2.5 years to 5 on roll, which includes 3 and 4 year old funded children. The pre-school supports children with special needs and children attend who speak English as an additional language. The group is open five mornings a week during school term time and sessions are from 09:15 to 12:00. Proposals have been agreed to extend the opening hours to include afternoons from 12:45 to 14:45, beginning September 2004. Five staff are employed to work with the children. Three of the staff have Early Years

p.2

Information about the setting

qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3, one has a teaching certificate, two are working towards NVQ level 3. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare partnerships (EYDCP)

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Mollington Pre-school provides good quality care for children. More than 50% of the staff employed hold relevant qualifications and staff are committed to attending further training to extend their knowledge and benefit the care ofthe children. Good organisation of the group and the staff enables them to work closely with the children and to offer good care and support. A warm, welcoming environment is made available for children and their parents. Good use is made of the space available to ensure all the needs of the children are met. The wide range of play materials and resources allows children the opportunity to progress in all areas of development. All records are made available for the inspection with the exception of the electrical safety report and a current public liability insurance certificate.Staff have a good understanding of the policies and procedures relating to safety both on and off the

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

premises. Children learn about hygiene and cleanliness throughout the daily routine followed. Snack times are very social times when all staff and children come together. Snacks are provided by parents/carers.Activity planning in place is good. There is a good range of free play and adult initiated activities within the setting. Children have the freedom of movement to alternate from one activity base to another. Children find play materials and activities stimulating, fun and interesting

p.2

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 providing sufficient challenge in the process.Effective systems are in place for monitoring children's achievements. Staff adopt appropriate strategies for managing children's behaviour in practice. Children are well behaved and responsive to the staff. Good relationships are developed with parents and the staff keep them informed of the children's progress and events. Parents are issued with a welcome pack initially outlining appropriate details and information is exchanged daily.Minor attention is required to ensure parents are fully aware of the complaints procedure.

p.2

What is being done well?

• The planning of activities, which provide long, medium and short term planning of activities which reflect all aspects of the children's development covered. Staff have a secure knowledge of the six areas of learning. Effective systems are in place for monitoring children's achievements and staff use their observations for planning future activities based on the individual learning needs of the children. • The staff/child interaction in place, which enables the children to play and learn independently. They have opportunities to initiate their own activities and explore freely whilst at other times they receive the guidance and direction of the staff to support their learning. Staff use their own skills and expertise to benefit the children's care and stimulation. • The number of staff employed to work with the children, which ensures children receive more individual attention. • The warm and welcoming environment for children and their parents. In

p.3

What is being done well?

particular the level of children's art work displayed, the lay out of the rooms and information displayed for parents to access. • The range of play materials available to the children, which promote equality of opportunity and diversity. Posters displayed and resources in place reflect positive images of diversity and enable children to learn about culture, disability and race at an appropriate level.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• documentation, to ensure a current Public liability insurance certificate and the electrical safety report are available for inspections in the future. During the inspection the insurance certificate displayed had passed the expiry date and the electrical safety report was not available for inspection, therefore the electrical safety could not be confirmed as meeting the required standard • policies and procedures, to ensure that the complaints procedure made available for parents to read contains the name, address and telephone

p.3

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 number of the regulator.

p.3

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.

p.4

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 6 Ensure up to date public liability insurance is held. 6 Ensure the electrical mains conforms to safety requirements. 12 Ensure the written complaints procedure made available to parents contains the name address and the telephone number of the regulator.

p.4

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

p.4

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

p.5

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6