Potterspury Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/06/2003 Inspector Name Rachael Mankiewicz

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Potterspury Pre School Playgroup Setting Address Potterspury Pre School The Horsa Building, John Hellins Primary School Brownswood Drive, Pottespury Northamptonshire NN12 7PG

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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

Potterspury Pre-School is held in the Horsa building within the local primary school in the village of Potterspury. The pre-school has access to a classroom with an adjoining small area which is used for messy play and storage. Two toilets are available for the children. The pre-school uses a covered play area, the play ground and the grass field as facilities for outdoor play. The pre-school is registered for a maximum of 20 children with no more than eight children under three years. The pre-school provide sessions on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 12 noon. On a Tuesday the children are able to bring a packed lunch. There are currently 21 children on roll, including three and four-year-olds in receipt of Government Education grant funding. Currently there are no children with assessed special needs or English as a second language but there is support available for the children who have particular needs. There are four members of staff

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Information about the setting

in total. The supervisor holds a required Level 3 qualification. One other member of staff is working towards gaining an appropriate childcare qualification. The group receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and the development worker from the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

The pre-school provides satisfactory care for children. It offers a warm and welcoming child care experience for the children where they can learn through play. The premises are well maintained and well organised to make it a child friendly environment. This includes indoor and outdoor play space. The management committee and staff are aware of their responsibilities regarding health and safety, and also help the children learn about hygiene through hand washing and other practices. The staff know the children well and are aware of their individual needs. They provide a wide range of activities across the ages and stages of development and to meet children's needs. The well-planned routine allows for individual or small group time with the children, as well as large group activities. There is a comprehensive operational plan which includes well written policies and procedures for the day to day running of the setting. Record keeping is of a generally

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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 good standard. The procedures for recruitment, induction and appraisal are all in place, and an action plan is in place stating how the requirement for the qualifications of the staff will be met. A review of this action plan is required as only one member of staff meets the required level of qualification. A further member of the staff group is working towards gaining a relevant qualification. Parents receive good information in the form of a welcome booklet which refers to policies, procedures and information about the key worker system. Parents are active on the management committee and also help on the parent/helper rota.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the Pre-School was asked to address a number of requirements, many of these as a result of the lack of qualified and cleared staff on the day of the inspection due to sickness. These were addressed as soon as it was possible to do so. An action plan has been submitted to Ofsted which details how the requirement that half of the staff hold a relevant child care qualification will be met. The action plan has yet to be reviewed. There were further requirements regarding safety of the heaters, the administering of medication, and the child protection procedures, these have also been addressed and checked at this inspection.

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What is being done well?

• The pre-school is well organised with time for the individual care of children, and space which can be divided to allow different areas for the varied needs of the children. Space and good staffing resources will allow for children with special needs to take part in all aspects of the pre-school activities (Standard 2). • Children benefit from the full range of activities and resources- across the ages and stages of development. They can access resources and are encouraged to do so (Standard 3). • The management committee and staff have a good awareness of safety issues and ensure the children are safe and secure when indoors and outside (Standard 6). • Children are aware of the limits on their behaviour and what is expected of them, as a result behaviour overall is good (Standard 11).

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What needs to be improved?

• the staffing requirement; review of current action plan that sets out how staff training and qualification requirements will be met (Standard 2); • documentation: to include written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Standard 7); • the preparation and handling of food: to ensure anyone doing so is aware of, and complies with, Environmental Health requirements (Standard 7).

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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 7 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. 7 ensure that anyone responsible for the preparation and handling of food is aware of, and complies with Environmental Health requirements. 2 develop further the action plan that sets out how staff training and qualification requirements will be met.

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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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