Castle High School and Visual Arts College

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 08/03/2004 Inspector Name Linda Margaret Nicholls

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name White Road Playgroup Committee Setting Address White Road Community Centre White Road Chatham Kent ME4 5UW

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of White Road Playgroup

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name White Road Playgroup Address 75 Gordon Road Chatham Kent ME4 5LU

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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

White Road Playgroup opened in 1992. It operates from two rooms in a community centre in Chatham. The playgroup serves the local area. There are currently 70 children from 2 to 4 years on roll. This includes 22 funded 3-year-olds and 31 funded 4-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports children with special needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09.15 to 11.45 Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and from 09.15 to 14.15 on Tuesday and Thursday. There are nine members of staff working with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. There are two staff who are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

The White Road Playgroup Committee provides satisfactory care for children. The staff are professional and work well as a team. They know the children well and respect each child's individuality. The organisation of the playgroup is developing well, with a current review of policies and procedures designed to present a unified set of paperwork and required documents. Recent changes to the committee have been made. Qualified staff exceed minimum requirements although only one member of staff has paediatric first aid training. Staff work well as a team. The operational plan will set out future training plans to meet the extended wrap around care now being planned for the two daily sessions. All staff are aware of methods and routines to meet the health and safety requirements. The no smoking policy is to be rewritten and reissued to parents and staff. Staff and systems are in place to ensure children are safe and protected,

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How good is the Day Care?

although written procedures for lost or uncollected children are not in place. The range and quality of the activities offered to the children have been recently improved with the purchase of a variety of stimulating equipment and games. Staff

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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 closely monitor children's progress and use these records to encourage next steps to learning. A high proportion of children require additional support. All children are benefiting from consistent application of routines and specialist training techniques for children with special needs. Senior staff work with other professional agencies. The partnership with parents is developing well. Parents are welcomed into the provision. Staff give daily verbal reports of children's experiences and records are maintained to ensure continuity of care. Family records are held securely.

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What is being done well?

• The group is managed and supervised in a professional manner. All paperwork is reviewed and shared with families and carers. Shared information is recorded and used to help children achieve their potential. The group works with other professional agencies. • The premises are safe and secure. Staff give direct and close supervision. The children can move around freely making effective use of the space to extend their play. • The staff use positive and consistent strategies to manage children's behaviour. Strategies are well thought out and discussed with parents, to ensure children's individual needs are met. Staff know the children well. They spend time talking and playing with the children, who feel secure and play within clear boundaries.

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What needs to be improved?

• the operational plan, to include information for parents covering staff training, procedures for lost and uncollected children, and future plans for wrap around care • the development of an area for children to relax or play quietly • the application of the no smoking policy.

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

Std Action Date 2 Ensure there are procedures in place to be followed in the event of a child being lost or a parent failing to collect a child. 30/04/2004

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Develop an operational plan to inform parents of planned changes including staff training. 4 Provide an area for children who wish to relax or play quietly, equipped with appropriate furniture. 7 Ensure parents and staff are informed of the no smoking policy and that the policy is upheld.

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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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