Noah's Ark Pre school (Billericay)

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 05/02/2004 Inspector Name Lisa Paisley

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Noahs Ark Pre School Setting Address Mill Hill Drive Billericay Essex CM12 0SL

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Noahs Ark Preschool 1088981

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Noahs Ark Preschool Address Mill Hill Drive Billericay Essex CM12 0LS

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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

Noah's Ark Pre-School opened in 2003. It operates from a demountable building in the grounds of a primary school in Billericay. The pre-school serves the local area. There are currently 73 children from 2 to 5 years on roll. This includes 38 funded 3 year olds and 19 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a small number of children who have special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The group opens 5 days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:00 until 11:45 and 13:00 until 15:30. The group also run a lunch club. Eleven part time staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2. Three staff are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) and the Pre School Learning

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How good is the Day Care?

Noah's Ark Pre-School provide satisfactory care for children. Staff regularly attend training, enabling them to keep up to date with current childcare practices. The environment is warm and welcoming and plenty of information is made available for parents. Space, staff and resources are organised to meet children's individual needs. A good range of resources and equipment are provided for indoor and outdoor play. There are clear comprehensive polices and documentation is in place for the effective management of the provision although Ofsted has not been notified of staff changes and one detail is to be added. Staff give a high priority to safety procedures, ensuring that children are safe at all times and encouraging the children to be aware of safety issues. Good health and hygiene are actively promoted and procedures are in place for when a child becomes ill or has an accident. Snacks are provided in a relaxed sociable

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How good is the Day Care?

atmosphere, however the organisation at this time does not create occasion to extend children's learning experiences. Staff understand that all children may have a special need at some time and children are given support and positive learning opportunities to help their development. Staff are aware of their responsibility for

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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 safeguarding children. Children are involved in a range of activities that are well supported by the staff but children’s interest is lost when activities are changed and some become restless. There are some missed opportunities for creative and outdoor play. Staff recognise and value children as individuals and children’s awareness of people’s differences is promoted through the resources and activities provided. Good behaviour is valued and encouraged; strategies for dealing with behaviour are appropriate and consistently applied. Staff develop good relationships with parents. They are committed to sharing information ensuring that they are fully informed about their children's experiences.

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What is being done well?

• The environment is made stimulating and bright with displays of children’s work and posters and a broad range of good quality toys, equipment and resources. Parents are made welcome. • There are regular fire drills and risks assessments inside and outside the premises. Procedures are consistently followed when planning trips out. • Staff are proactive when working with children who have special needs, ensuring resources are in place and that children are included in all activities.

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What needs to be improved?

• notification to Ofsted of staff changes • planning for creative development, outdoor play and to extend learning opportunities at snack time • the behaviour management statement, to include bullying.

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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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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 1 Ensure that Ofsted is informed of any changes in members of staff. 05/03/2004

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 3 Extend planning to include further activities for children’s creative development, outdoor play opportunities and to extend learning opportunities at snack time. 11 Update the written statement on behaviour to including bullying.

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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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