First Steps Kindergarten

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 21/01/2004 Inspector Name Rachel Ruth Britten

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name First Steps Kindergarten Setting Address Yewtree Lane Poynton Cheshire SK12 1PU

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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

First Steps Kindergarten and Out of School Club is situated in Poynton within the Macclesfield Borough of Cheshire. The group is open from 7:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, throughout the year. Full Day Care is provided for up to 50 children aged from birth to five, children may attend on a full or part-time basis. Out of School Care is provided for up to 24 children of primary school age. Children are taken to and collected from five schools in Poynton; Worth, Lower Park, Lostock Hall, Vernon and St. Paul's. During school holidays the provision is also open to children who attend other schools. More than half the staff team have a recognised childcare qualification. Support staff are employed to carry out cooking, cleaning and maintenance duties. The groups premises are two large single storey demountable classroom buildings, within the same grounds. The Kindergarten building comprises of four play rooms for

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Information about the setting

children of different ages and a sleep room, while the out of school building has one large play room and a computer room. Toilet and nappy changing facilities directly adjoin each of the children's play rooms. Play rooms are divided into different types of activity and play areas, and have carpet and vinyl floor surfaces. Children are able to participate in physical and outdoor play activities in one of the three enclosed outdoor play areas which provide grass and hard standing surfaces and directly adjoin the buildings. There is a kitchen, laundry, office, staff room and staff cloakrooms. Snacks and meals are prepared on the premises, special dietary requirements and preferences can be catered for. The group is registered to receive funding from the DFES in respect of Nursery Education for three and four year olds.

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How good is the Day Care?

Overall the day care is judged to be satisfactory. The organisation of the day care is good in respect of the nursery equipment and it's storage and labelling for use, and also in respect of the high staff ratios, good use of space, and efficient signing in register system. However, improvements are needed to some of the policies, and an uncollected child policy should be devised.

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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 The safety and care of children is satisfactory in the nursery, with good hygiene practices, in a well organised and clean environment. Children with special needs are provided with facilities they need, and there is now a trained child protection staff member. Evidence of necessary electrical checks, and parental consent for travel in nursery vehicles are needed, and a review of menus to make meals more healthy and reduce sugar intake, is recommended. The range and quality of the activities is having a good effect upon children's well being and development, particularly in the baby, toddler, and Early Years rooms with children enjoying the variety and happy atmosphere provided in the Out of School club also. Standards of behaviour are generally high, and staff are promoting

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How good is the Day Care?

positive behaviour strategies using praise and distraction to good effect. Resources for showing children positive images of disability and of other cultures should be further developed, and incident recording explained to staff and parents (through the behaviour policy.) The partnership with parents is supported by daily feedback sheets for children up to toddler room. The returned parental questionnaires speak of parent satisfaction with the caring attitude of staff, and their willingness to work together with parents to provide for children's individual needs. Parents do need to be informed about how to take any complaints forward to Ofsted, and all their complaints/issues should be properly recorded.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

There were eighteen actions raised at or since the last inspection, and these have all been satisfactorily acted upon by the provider. Most items addressed have been in respect of confirming that proper systems or records are in place to ensure the safe running of the nursery, such as key worker systems; evidence of insurance; training for child protection for the named person; lists of staff responsible for collection of school children; lists of staff qualifications; staff and child register system which shows arrival and departure times; management of staff breaks etc. By addressing these various issues, the running of the nursery has improved, and the safety and well being of children is being enhanced. Each item was checked or seen during the inspection.

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What is being done well?

• the cohesion of the staff group in working together to provide high staff ratios, and consistent, well planned care to the children, so that children feel secure and confident • the good use of space and resources so that children are being cared for in a bright, spacious and comfortable environment, where there are a variety of well planned and resourced activities • the organisation of the "signing in" and register systems so that it is known

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What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 who is on the premises at any one time • the input of staff in praising and participating with children to promote their development, particularly in imagination and verbal skills • the flexibility of the nursery to work with parents and children to provide for children's individual needs be they physical or health needs, dietary needs, or behaviour needs

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What needs to be improved?

• the systems for transport children to the Out of school provision so that there is written parental consent to travel in staff cars, and so that there is a list of named drivers along with their documentation • the evidence retained to confirm that electrical installations and electrical appliances are in satisfactory order • the menus, so that consideration is given to reducing the amount of sugary or processed food in favour of more fruit and vegetables • the resources and play ideas for children to see positive images of disability and of other cultures • the lost child policy, so that it includes a policy about uncollected children • the behaviour, complaints, and child protection policies so that they contain all the detail required in the Standards.

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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 6 ensure that evidence is retained of electrical installations tests, and electrical appliances checks 8 review menus to consider increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables,

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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 and reducing the amount of processed or sugary foods 9 expand your resources and play ideas to show children positive images both of disability and of other cultures 14 ensure that you devise an uncollected child policy; that your behaviour policy includes the process for recording incidents of physical intervention by staff; that your complaints and child protection policies include the correct address and phone numbers for Ofsted; and that the child protection policy includes the procedures to be invoked were an allegation made against a member of staff 6 obtain written parental consent for children to be transported to the O.O.S. in staff vehicles, and provide a list of named drivers to accompany the detauils already kept of drivers and their vehicles.

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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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