Fairhaven Education Unit

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 02/12/2004 Inspector Name Linda Patricia Coccia

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Culverstone Pre-School Group Setting Address Wrotham Road Meopham Gravesend Kent DA13 0RF

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Culverstone Pre-School 801859

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Culverstone Pre-School Address Wrotham Road Meopham Gravesend Kent DA13 0RF

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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

Culverstone Pre-School Group is a committee run pre-school. It opened in 1979 and operates from a mobile classroom on a school premises. It is situated in a rural area in Culverstone, Kent. A maximum of 20 children may attend the pre-school at any one time. The pre-school is open each weekday from 08.45 to 12.00 for 30 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 27 children aged from two and a half to under five years on roll. Of these 19 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchment area. The pre-school currently supports a child with special educational needs. The pre-school employs eight staff. Five of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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How good is the Day Care?

Culverstone Pre-school Group provides good quality care for children. The staff have very good relationships with the children and are good role models. The day care is well organised. The staff work effectively as a team. The operational plan is well written and made available to parents. There is no staff appraisal procedure. Staff hold appropriate childcare qualifications. They operate a key worker system. An attendance record is well maintained but needs to include children's arrival and departure times. The premises, toys and equipment are clean and well maintained. The children are safe and well cared for. The premises are secure. Daily risk assessments are carried out and appropriate safety equipment is used. Children practise the emergency evacuation procedures. The group's accident and medication records are well maintained and are confidential. The snacks provided for children are healthy and nutritious but drinks could be made more readily

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How good is the Day Care?

available during each session. The group has child protection procedures which are in accordance with their local authority guidelines. The group works towards supporting and including all children regardless of their ability. The group provides a very good selection of toys and activities which help children develop in all areas of learning. Children are able to make choices about the toys

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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 they play with. All children have access to all toys. There are plenty of positive images of equality of opportunity for race and culture displayed, however the group could provide more images of disability and gender. Staff praise and encourage good behaviour and children are well behaved and co-operative. Parents and children are welcomed onto the premises by staff. The group has plenty of evidence of positive feedback from parents. Parents are given lots of written information about how the group functions and have regular meetings with staff to discuss how their children are progressing.

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What is being done well?

• The staff have very good relationships with the children. They enjoy their company and know them well. They spend all their time talking and playing with children and helping them to learn. The children are very happy and settled. • The premises are checked daily and written assessments are recorded. Appropriate safety equipment such as socket covers are used. The children practise evacuation procedures to enable them to leave the premises safely in an emergency. • The staff use positive and consistent strategies to manage children's behaviour. Strategies are planned to ensure individual children's needs are met. The children are well behaved and co-operate well with staff. • The range and variety of activities provided allow children choice. Children can do quiet or physical activities dependant on their mood. Children become more independent. • The group offer a warm and welcoming environment. Parents and children

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What is being done well?

are greeted on entry. Staff make conversation with children about issues individual to them to help the children feel valued and secure in attending the group.

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What needs to be improved?

• the implementation of a staff appraisal system • the range of toys promoting positive images of disability and gender • the availability of drinks, for children, throughout the session.

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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 2 Ensure arrival and departure times are recorded in the attendance record. 8 Ensure drinks are readily available to children throughout the session.

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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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