Locking Stumps Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 16/10/2003 Inspector Name Rita Cruddos

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Locking Stumps Pre-School Setting Address Village Room Locking Stumps CP School Glover Road, Warrington Cheshire WA3 7PH

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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

Locking Stumps Pre-School opened prior to 1982. It operates from the Village Room, at Locking Stumps County Primary School, in Glover Lane, Birchwood. The pre-school serves the local area. There are currently 20 children from two to four years on the roll. This includes 14 funded three year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting is able to support children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week during term times. Sessions are from 09:00 until 11:00 and from 12:30 until 15:10. Five sessional staff work with the children. The manager has an early years qualification. All the staff are currently working towards recognised early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. The setting receives support from Warrington Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

Locking Stumps Pre-School provides good quality care for children. A well motivated staff team provide a warm and welcoming environment for children and organise space and resources to meet children's needs effectively. Very good relationships are developed with the children, who are happy, confident and secure within the setting. All staff have good practical skills in caring for children and undertake regular training to improve and build on these. Records are well organised, accurate and up to date. A staff have an awareness of safety and take positive steps to prevent accidents. All staff have undertaken first aid training. Good hygiene practices are encouraged which help the children to understand the importance of personal hygiene. Healthy, nutritious snacks are provided. All children are included, valued and their individual needs met. The pre-school offers a very good range of activities indoors and outdoors which helps children

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How good is the Day Care?

progress in all areas of their development. Children can reach toys that are set out prior to their arrival but there are issues around accessibility of toys and equipment

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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 which limits their independence. Children are well stimulated and interested in their play. Staff interact with the children very well, they talk and listen to the children, ask appropriate questions which challenge the children's thinking and enables them to make decisions. The staff team manage children's behaviour well with consistent use of praise and encouragement which promotes their self esteem. Children are aware of the boundaries and are comfortable with these. Good relationships are built with parents. Children are looked after according to parent's wishes and they are kept well informed about daily activities. A prospectus and welcome pack is provided, this does not however include contact details for Ofsted. Regular feedback is sought from parents regarding all aspects of care the

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection it was agreed that vetting procedures were to be complied with. An action plan for staff training and qualifications was to be in place, an action plan to reduce the number of children attending would be provided, risk assessments on the premises would be completed, fresh drinking water would be available at all times, an equal opportunities policy consistent with current legislation and guidance would be in place and child protection procedure were consistent with the local ACPC guidance. Vetting procedures for staff are now in place and an action plan to ensure training and qualification requirements are met is now in place. A series of risk assessments are completed at regular intervals. Fresh drinking water is available at all times. Equal opportunities and child protection procedures are in place.

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What is being done well?

• The pre-school provides a good range of stimulating range of activities, toys and equipment for children. Children are happy and secure within the setting, they move around the environment freely and confidently. • Staff have very caring and positive relationships with the children. They interact with the children very well, dedicating a lot of time talking, playing and listening to them. • Staff are kept up to date regarding Health and Safety legislation and each know what their responsibilities are regarding safety. • There are good working relationships with parents. Parents are invited to management committee meetings and have input regarding the organisation of the setting.

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What needs to be improved?

• the organisation and accessibility of toys and equipment • the information regarding contact details of Ofsted for parents

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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

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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 Organise resources to enable children to make decisions, explore, investigate their environment. 12 Provide parents with information regarding the contact details for Ofsted.

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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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