St Michael's Christian Pre- School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 08/02/2005 Inspector Name Anne Felicity Taylor

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St Michael's Christian Pre- School Playgroup Setting Address Maynard Avenue Norton Stourbridge West Midlands DY8 3EE

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St Michael's Christian Pre-school

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St Michael's Christian Pre-school Address The Church Centre Maynard Avenue Stourbridge West Midlands DY8 3EE

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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

St Michael's Christian Pre-School Playgroup opened in 1993. It operates in the main hall and a newly converted classroom in the church hall of St Michael's Church. It is situated in a residential area of Norton, Stourbridge. A maximum of thirty children may attend the setting at any one time. The pre-school is open from 09.15 to 12.00 every weekday term time only. The setting offers a Parent and Toddler Group on Thursday afternoon. All the children have access to a safely enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently twenty-two children aged from two to under five years on roll. Of these ten children receive funding for nursery education. Children generally come from the local area. The setting is able to support children with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The pre-school employs two full time and four part time staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. Bank staff are available. The setting receives

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Information about the setting

support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

St Michael's Christian Pre-School Playgroup provides good care for children. The setting has a friendly welcoming atmosphere where parents, children and staff create strong relationships. All the staff team have appropriate early years qualifications and the staff team is very settled. Good planning, which includes staff deployment ensures that children learn from and enjoy the activities provided. The additional classroom will enable staff to group the children appropriately for more quiet activities. Adult/child ratios are very good. Safety is a high priority and risk assessments have been completed. Good fire evacuation procedures are in place, which are discussed with the children and practiced regularly. Staff have first aid training and the first aid box is fully-stocked. Appropriate child protection procedures are in place and staff have completed child protection training. Children are encouraged in good personal hygiene. The

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How good is the Day Care?

premises are secure and visitors are monitored well. A wide variety of well-maintained equipment is available, enabling staff to provide a good range of activities, helping children to learn and have fun. The choice of activities offered encourages individual interests, co-operative and creative play, e.g.

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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 growing cress. Children enjoy group story time and discussing the weather at register time. There are many very good opportunities for the children to play cooperatively with friends. Children receive a lot of individual attention. Parents are happy with the information they receive about the activities in the pre-school. They are welcomed into the group to settle new children and help with topic work. They receive a regular newsletter. Staff are developing more formal procedures to keep parents informed about their child's achievements. All the required policies are in place and easily available to parents. Good behaviour is valued and encouraged, and children behave well.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Following the last inspection the setting was asked to: conduct a risk assessment on the premises identifying actions to be taken to minimise identified risks. Good progress has been made in this area. Comprehensive risk assessments have been completed including the actions needed to minimise any risk identified. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly.

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What is being done well?

• Staff work hard to ensure that the main room meets the needs of the children well, with a welcoming atmosphere and lots of interesting activities ready for play; children settle quickly to worthwhile activities. • The setting is very well resourced with a wide variety of toys, books and play equipment, including a very good variety of equipment to reflect all areas of equal opportunities. The children enjoy tasting pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. • The effective key worker system ensures that children are valued as individuals and all their needs are met well. Children are secure within the loving care and attention they receive. • Staff work well as a team, supporting each other well in providing care, learning and fun for the children. They enjoy dancing with ribbons to a variety of music. • The children and staff discuss the group rules and good behaviour is praised and encouraged. The staff are quiet, calm and consistent with the children.

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What needs to be improved?

• the procedure to develop more formal procedures to keep parents informed about their child's achievements and progress.

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PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS (This section applies only to inspections carried out

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 12 Develop more formal procedures to keep parents informed about their child's achievements and progress.

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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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