Hardwick Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 21/07/2003 Inspector Name Veronica Sharpe

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Hardwick Pre-School Setting Address Limes Road Hardwick Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB3 7QR

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Hardwick Pre-school 1059361

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Hardwick Pre-school Address Hardwick Community Primary School Limes Road,Hardwick Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB3 7QR

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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

Hardwick Pre-school is a registered charity operated by a voluntary committee of parents. The pre-school has been operating for over 20 years and takes place in the community room of Hardwick Primary School. It serves mostly local village children. There are currently 45 children aged between two and a half and five years on roll. This includes 35 funded three and four year olds. There are several children attending with special needs. The pre-school is open during term time only from 09:00 - 12:00 Monday to Friday. Once a week the group has a session in the school gym. From September there will be an additional Monday afternoon session. There are currently four staff working with the children, two of whom have Level 3 early years qualifications. The group receives support from an Early Years mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) and is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance (PSLA) .

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How good is the Day Care?

Hardwick Pre-school provides good quality care for children. Staff work together well as a team, and good deployment and planning ensures the needs of the children are met. Creative use is made of everyday materials to provide a rich and engaging experience where children have many opportunities to explore and extend their learning. Children interact with staff confidently and staff listen and respond with patience and good humour. Children's safety and welfare are given high priority; safety procedures are known to staff and parents and are carried out conscientiously. Children enjoy a wide variety of healthy and nutritious snacks; they develop their independence by helping to serve themselves and each other. However, at break time children are not encouraged to interact socially with staff or each other. Children are praised and their good behaviour is valued, they respond well to the positive attitude of staff and

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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 Relationships with parents are good; parents are well informed through meetings, notices and conversations with staff. Documentation is good.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

There were no areas for improvement identified at the last inspection.

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What is being done well?

• Staff work together well as a team, they help each other and take individual responsibility for organising and presenting the sessions; effective deployment ensures the needs of the children are met. Children interact with staff confidently and staff listen and respond effectively to extend children's learning. • Children have access to a wide range of resources and are encouraged and supported so they can participate fully in activities. Creative use is made of materials to provide a rich and engaging experience where children have many opportunities to explore and extend their learning. • Staff are vigilant and give children's safety and welfare high priority, safety procedures are known to staff and parents and are carried out conscientiously. • Children are praised and their good behaviour is acknowledged and valued. They respond well to the positive attitude of staff and are polite and well behaved.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

At circle time children come together to discuss their "treasures", which are items they bring in themselves, sometimes linked to the current themes and topics, and talk about their day. One member of staff engages the whole group of children. Children take part in a lively and expressive discussion, where they share their experiences, take turns to speak and listen attentively and question each other. In this activity they show their care and respect for each other, demonstrate their ability to recall events and exchange views and opinions.

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What needs to be improved?

• organisation of break time to give children more opportunities to engage in social interaction with staff and each other; • the written complaints procedure to include the regulators address and telephone number.

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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 8 organise snack time to ensure children have opportunities for social interaction with staff and each other; 14 include the address and telephone number of the regulator on the complaints procedure and make it available to parents.

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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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