Wheelock Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 25/11/2003 Inspector Name Debra Elizabeth Jean Dahlstrom

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Wheelock Pre-School Setting Address Hancock Hall, Crewe Road Wheelock Sandbach Cheshire CW11 3RT

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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

Wheelock Pre-school has been based in the Methodist school rooms for some years. The pre-school is run by a parent's committee and has appointed a person in charge to manage the day to day running of the pre-school. There are 20 places, with five sessions in the mornings,09:15 - 11:45, and three on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons 13:00 - 15:30 depending on demand. The group has exclusive use of two activity rooms and is also able to use the large hall and kitchen and toilet areas. There is a stable group of six staff, five of whom hold relevant child care qualifications and the sixth is undertaking training. There is also a relief staff member who is able to cover for emergencies or sickness who has recently started a training course. There are 36 children on roll with 21 funded three year olds and no funded four year olds. The pre-school staff have experience in caring for children with special needs

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Information about the setting

and for whom English is an additional language. The pre-school staff receive support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

Wheelock Pre -School provides a good standard of care for children. The rooms for children are arranged well to provide an interesting range of activities in a warm and welcoming environment. The pre -school has a good range of toys and equipment to meet children's needs. Staff work well together as a team and are clear as to their roles and responsibilities. Most of the written policies are in place but need some minor developments to adequately reflect the good practice of this setting. Staff take all reasonable steps to ensure the physical environment is safe and secure for children. Staff implement good hygiene practices and encourage children to learn about personal hygiene through daily routines to promote their good health. The staff team have a positive approach to healthy eating providing snacks low in sugar. There are satisfactory child protection procedures in place.

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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 Staff plan and provide a broad range of activities and learning experiences to help children make good progress in all areas of their development. Children are happy, confident and have secure relationships with staff. Staff meet children's individual needs well, they are good role models and skilfully manage children's behaviour. Children are polite and cooperate well. There is a strong partnership with parents. Parents are happy with care provided to meet their children's individual needs.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the person in charge agreed to keep a record of visitors, medicines given to children and review how the fire drills were carried out. An accurate record of all visitors is now in place to protect children. Details of all medicines given to children ensures that accurate information is obtained and retained from parents. Fire drills are now held at different times to ensure that all children attending the sessions can experience such a drill and benefit from the fire safety procedures. The person in charge also agreed to ensure the contact details of the regulator were included in the complaints procedure for parents, this was seen to be in place on inspection and so parents are able to contact Ofsted should it be necessary to do so. On inspection the person in charge was also able to confirm that all electrical equipment had had the necessary safety checks so they do not pose

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What is being done well?

• Staff work well as a team and dedicate their time playing and talking with the children to promote their overall development. Children's language, imagination and mathematical thinking are very well supported through constant discussion of everyday activities. Children are interested and actively engaged in their play and learning. • The pre - school is well resourced to create an appealing, stimulating and comfortable environment, which meet the individual needs of children. Toys and resources are organised well, they are readily accessible to children so they can choose what they want to play with. • There are strong links between home and pre - school, which enable staff to meet the individual needs of children well. Parents are happy with progress their children are making in their development. • Staff are good role models for children, they are caring and place emphasis on children being kind, polite and respectful to others which has positive

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What is being done well?

impact upon children's behaviour. They also promote good hygiene, healthy eating and positive safety practices which children understand well.

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What needs to be improved?

• policy for special needs, to include reference to the code of practice

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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 • the need to include a written procedure in the event of a child not being collected • review how effective the use of workbooks are to supplement the childrens learning and experiences .

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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 3 Review the use of the work books for children to ensure they are provided with good opportunities to freely create their own work. 10 Review your special needs statement to ensure it makes reference to the code of practice 14 Include in your documentation, a written procedure in the event of a child not been collected from the pre school.

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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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