Vicarage Farm Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 06/12/2004 Inspector Name Christina Downey

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Vicarage Farm Preschool Setting Address Vicarage Farm Community Centre Grafton Close Wellingborough Northamptonshire NN8 5WA

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The partnership of Vicarage Farm Preschool

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Vicarage Farm Preschool Address 47 Holcot Close Wellingborough Northamptonshire NN8 5FL

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Vicarage Farm Pre-school first opened approximately 20 years ago. It was registered under new owners in 2004 and operates from a large hall in the community centre on the Gleneagles Estate, in Wellingborough. The group has access to the kitchen, toilets and enclosed play areas at the front and back of the hall. A maximum of 26 children may attend at any one time. Five sessions are offered each week. They run from 09:15 to 12:45, Monday to Friday during school terms. Currently there are 34 children on roll and of these 27 receive funding for nursery education. The group supports children with special educational needs but there are none attending who are learning to speak English as an additional language. There are five members of staff. Two hold level three qualifications, and two others are working towards appropriate qualifications. The pre-school receives support from Northamptonshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and is a

p.2

Information about the setting

member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Vicarage Farm pre-school provides a welcoming atmosphere and a varied and stimulating programme of activities. The standard and quality of the day care is good. A good proportion of the staff either hold or are working towards appropriate qualifications and they all attend regular short courses to keep their knowledge up to date. Ratios are adhered to well and this ensures children receive a good amount of individual attention. The spacious premises are well maintained and welcoming to children and their parents, although space is not always used effectively to fully meet children’s needs. The outdoor areas are used regularly to extend the range of experiences offered. There is a wide variety of interesting and good quality resources and all records are well organised and up-to date. Priority is given to ensuring children are cared for safely. Regular risk assessments successfully minimise hazards and any accidents are carefully recorded. Sufficient

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

staff hold first aid qualifications but there are some lapses in standards of hygiene. Children's dietary needs are met well and they have good access to fresh drinking water. Very careful attention is given to meeting special needs and staff have a secure understanding of procedures to protect children from abuse.

p.2

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 A wide range of carefully planned activities is provided daily to cover all areas of children's development. Children are able to choose for themselves what to do and levels of interest are good throughout the session. Staff ensure that all children are included equally and access appropriate learning experiences. Relationships are very positive and good behaviour is promoted well. Partnership with parents and carers is good. Sufficient information is regularly exchanged to ensure children are cared for in accordance with parents' wishes. Newsletters successfully keep them informed about general activities and special events. Parents are supportive of the group and value the service it offers.

p.2

What is being done well?

• Staff work very hard to provide a bright, cheerful and stimulating environment, despite having to pack everything away at the end of each session. They have assembled a wide range of good quality resources that is used well to provide the children with many interesting activities. Additional items, such as a laptop computer, are brought in from home to further extend children's experiences, and children with special needs are cared for very well. Large apparatus and outdoor play is made available each session and children are able to be active for good lengths of time. • Much useful information is provided for parents. There is a clear and informative notice board and other effective procedures to keep them informed about children's activities and additional special events. Imaginative and age appropriate suggestions are regularly given to parents about ways of extending their children's learning at home.

p.3

What is being done well?

• The safety and supervision of children is good. One member of staff takes responsibility for this area and this helps to ensure all have a good awareness of safety issues. Access to the premises is monitored successfully, and regular risk assessments contribute to the minimisation of hazards. Well-organised records also promote children's safety. • Children are successfully encouraged to eat a varied range of healthy foods, which includes fruit, raw vegetables, and egg or tuna sandwiches they have made themselves. Drinking water is freely available and staff provide good role models by drinking water themselves throughout the session. During the extended sessions two different snacks are offered, one of which is just fruit, to ensure children keep their energy levels up. Children are able to choose for themselves when they wish to have their snack.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• staff awareness of good hygiene practice with particualr regard to snack time

p.3

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 • organisation of space to fully meet children's needs with regard to outdoor play, snack time and storage of personal belongings.

p.3

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.

p.4

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 7 Ensure staff are aware of the importance of good hygiene practices particularly with regard to snack times.

p.4

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

p.4

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

p.5

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6