Little Willows Pre-school

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 23/06/2003 Inspector Name Lorraine Hunt

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Little Willows Pre-school Setting Address c/o Walsham Primary School, Wattisfield Road Bury St. Edmunds Suffolk IP31 3DB

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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

Little Willows Pre-School opened in 1974 and has operated from it's present premises since 1999. It now operates from it's own building within the local primary school grounds in Walsham -le-Willows. It is a committee run group which serves the local area. It is registered to provide full day care to 20 children aged between three and under five years. There are currently 31 children from three to under five years on roll. This includes seven funded three year olds and 13 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group supports children with special needs. The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 8.45a,m to 11.15a.m and 12.15p.m to 2.45p.m. Lunch clubs operate between 11.15a.m and 12.15p.m each day. Five staff work with the children. Two hold early years qualifications and another is hoping to start on a training programme in September 2003. The setting receives support from a teacher from

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Information about the setting

the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP)

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How good is the Day Care?

Little Willows Pre-school provides good care overall for children aged three to five years. Staff are very experienced and work together well as a team. They are particularly effective in supporting and extending the play and learning of individual children and small groups during free play sessions. A very good adult: child ratio is maintained through regular staffing and the use of parent helpers. There is a comprehensive system of record keeping and most policies and procedures are in place and up to date. In most respects, staff have a very good awareness of keeping children safe. However, there are no risk assessments procedures in place. Staff give high regard to health and hygiene issues and encourage children to adopt good hygiene procedures. They support children with special needs well. Children learn to respect differences and have positive attitudes to one another. Children respond well

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How good is the Day Care?

to the calm, consistent approach of staff. Praise and encouragement is used effectively to reinforce good behaviour and staff act as good role models. Children's individual needs are met through a good range of well - resourced activities which promote all areas of their development. Partnership with parents is good. Parents are well-informed, feel involved and their views on the setting are welcomed.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provider agreed to make staff aware of Child Protection issues, to keep individual staff records and also a comprehensive registration

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What has improved since the last 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 system and a system to record medicines administered to children where parents countersign entries. All staff , apart from one, have now completed a Child Protection course and are familiar with the ACPC procedures. Individual staff records, medication records and a system for registering adult and staff attendance are all now in place. The provider also agreed to ensure suitable areas for changing nappies and sleeping/resting children were made available and that the kitchen area conformed to environmental health and food safety regulations. An Environmental Health officer visited the premises. A changing mat is now located in the bathroom area to change nappies and children are encouraged to rest in the quiet book area if they are tired. The provider also agreed to conduct and review risk assessments to

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What has improved since the last inspection?

identify action to be taken to minimise identified risks. Although this was initially undertaken , risk assessments have not been done regularly.

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What is being done well?

Staff deploy themselves effectively in the free play part of the session, enabling children's learning to be supported and extended through individual and small group activities, for example role play and the computer. They ask open ended questions to encourage language and thinking.(Standard 3) Staff sensitively support the individual needs of parents and children. They ensure that there are opportunities for children to find out about other cultures, equality and justice and in so doing, learn to respect and value others.(Standard 9) Staff have a calm, consistent approach to behaviour and children have clear expectations of what is expected of them. Staff place particular emphasis on encouraging children to share.They use praise and encouragement effectively and take time to listen to the children which helps to make them feel valued. (Standard 11) Staff have good working relationships with parents. They keep parents well informed about the setting and their child's progress

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What is being done well?

and actively seek parents views to review and improve their practice.(Standard 12)

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What needs to be improved?

the complaints procedure to include Ofsted's contact details and the child protection policy to include procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff (Standard 13) the implementation of regular risk assessments (Standard 6

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

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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 6 ensure that regular risk assessments are undertaken on the premises. 14 Update policies to include: - Ofsted’s details in the complaints policy (Standard 12 and 14) - procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff (Standards 13 and 14)

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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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