Thorpe on the Hill Playgroup

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 19/06/2003 Inspector Name Janice Broddle

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Thorpe on the Hill Playgroup Setting Address The Portacabin Thorpe on the Hill CE School,School Lane,Thorpe on the Hill Lincoln Lincs LN6 9BN

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Thorpe on the Hill Committee 1087733

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Thorpe on the Hill Committee Address The Portacabin Thorpe on the Hill CE School,School Lane,Thorpe on the Hill Lincoln Lincs

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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

Thorpe On The Hill Playgroup is a committee-run provision and operates from a porta-cabin located in the grounds of the St Michaels C of E School in the village of Thorpe on the Hill, South of Lincoln. The group has access to toilets, a kitchenette and a small entrance hall area. They are also able to use the school play ground and wider grounds by negotiation with the school. The group serves the local community and surrounding rural areas. The playgroup is open from 9:00 - 11:45 and 12:30 to 15:00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, children are able to attend a variety of sessions. The group may care for no more than 12 children from 2 years to under 5 years at any one time. There are currently a team of five members of staff employed to work with the children, and three available on a supply basis, there are usually two or three members present daily, depending of numbers of children attending. Of these staff,

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Information about the setting

two hold a recognised childcare qualification and one other is working towards this. The group is a member of the pre-school learning alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

Thorpe on the Hill playgroup provides good quality care for children aged 2 - 5 years. The premises have been made welcoming to children and parents and there are clear, and in the main, comprehensive procedures to follow to ensure that children are cared for in an environment which is safe and secure. There are good hygiene practises in place to prevent the spread of infection, and these are promoted with the children. Clear policies exist regarding ill or injured children, including procedures to deal with emergency situations. The records required for the purpose of registration are mainly in place and contain a good level of detail. Recruitment processes ensure that staff have appropriate skills and ability to do their jobs, they have enhanced their knowledge and skills by attending several training courses relevant to their work, and are a confident and competent team. Children's records contain a good level of detail, and staff evidence a sound

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How good is the Day Care?

awareness of children's individual needs and abilities. The children are well behaved and very happy in their environment, independence is encouraged and they move freely around all areas, confidently seeking support from staff and engaging with them. Planning is well organised and children learn from the wide and varied range

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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 of activities provided. There are effective relationships with parents who are encouraged to become involved in group activities. In the main, effective systems are in place to ensure that relevant information is shared between staff and parents, both verbally and in writing. There are excellent links with the feeder school which smoothes the transition for children, from playgroup to school.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, it was agreed that copies of planning permission, Fire Officer's letter and certificate of electrical safety would be forwarded to Ofsted These documents are now in place.

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What is being done well?

• Staff are well organised and undertake their duties confidently and competently, they deploy themselves effectively and work well together, offering a good level of supervision to the children and supporting each other to ensure the smooth running of the session (Standard 2). • Effective use is made of space, children move freely around all areas and are able to access all activities available. The environment is child-friendly, it is equipped with child-sized furniture, and children's work is displayed on notice boards along with relevant information for parents (Standard 4). • Staff have good relationships with the children, they are skilled in judging when to involve themselves in children's activities, when to lead, and when to observe. Children approach them for comfort and support, and to engage in detailed conversations, staff seize opportunities to extend language and learning, from child-initiated discussions (Standard 3).

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What is being done well?

• Effective strategies are in place to manage a wide range of behaviour, staff are positive role models, they treat each other and the children with respect, and offer lots of praise and encouragement to foster good behaviour (Standard 11).

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What needs to be improved?

• registers do not indicate times of attendance if they vary from normal opening times (Standard 14); • the health of staff is not addressed within recruitment processes (Standard 1); • there is no risk assessment in place regarding an identified medical condition (Standard 6); • the complaints policy is not easily available to parents (Standard 12); • there is no system to record any medication should this need to be administered (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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 14 Ensure that the Children Act regulations are complied with in respect of maintaining a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance. 20/06/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 1 Ensure that recruitment procedures have systems in place to ensure that staff are suitable, both mentally and physically, to care for children. 6 Ensure that risk assessments include procedures to follow regarding identified medical conditions. 7 ensure there is a system to record the details of any medication administered on the premises.

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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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