Lucky Ducks Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 13/01/2005 Inspector Name Ann Marie Lefevre

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Lucky Ducks Pre-School Setting Address Scremerston First School Scremerston Berwick-upon-Tweed Northumberland TD15 2RB

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Committee of Lucky Ducks Pre-School

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Committee of Lucky Ducks Pre-School Address Scremerston Berwick-upon-Tweed Northumberland TD15 2RB

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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

Lucky Ducks Pre-school was registered 1996. The setting provides places for a maximum of 24 children at any one time; there are currently 15 children on the roll. The children are aged from two to five years. The premises are located within Scremerston First School in the small village of Scremerston, which is on the outskirts of Berwick town. The pre-school offers care for all children within the appropriate age range, however, most of the placements are from the local community. Child care is provided in a classroom and in the school hall. There are facilities in the playroom for the provision of refreshments. Toilets are accessible from the playroom. An outside activity play area is used by the group. Child care sessions are held during term time only and are available from 8:45 until 11:45 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 9:30 until 12:30 on a Wednesday. The group participates in the Foundation Stage of Learning initiative.

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Information about the setting

Currently, there are no children attending who have English as an additional language, and none who have special needs. Overall responsibility for the pre-school group lies with the management committee of parents of the children attending. There are four regular staff members, and of these two have a suitable early years qualification and all staff have completed a variety of training courses. A suitably qualified relief leader is also available to cover for any absence of regular staff. Students are welcomed into the group; they are appropriately cleared and supervised. The group also has the support of the school reception teacher and from a Local Authority early years advisor.

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How good is the Day Care?

Lucky Ducks Pre-school provides good quality care for children. The staff are dedicated to offering a very comfortable, clean, stimulating, and welcoming environment where children feel safe, secure and happy. Well structured routines are in place, and children respond well to these. Staff take effective measures to promote health and safety awareness in the children. Staff develop excellent relationships with the children, and offer a range of interesting and fun activities so that children can learn effectively through play. There is a wide selection of good quality, age appropriate playthings and equipment.

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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 Activities are carefully planned, but there is flexibility which allows for children's preferences and their stages of development. Children are confident, polite and very well behaved. They are able to participate fully in fun activities such as doing a simple science experiments to find out if different items will float or sink. Children are kept fully occupied and clearly gain a great deal of pleasure from being with the other children and staff members. Partnership with parents is very good, as staff provide a wide range of useful information and opportunities for parents to discuss their children's progress. This is revident when parents collect their children and in a positive comments made during discussion with two of the parents. Staff continue to participate in a wide range of relevant training to further develop

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How good is the Day Care?

their skills and knowledge. In addition, the group is currently taking part in the Northumberland Healthy Pathways Award. Detailed staff employment and training information is in place, and comprehensive policies and procedures have recently been updated. All records are very well maintained.

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What is being done well?

• The staff team are committed to developing their own child care practice, and they have participated in a wide range of training initiatives. They are looking towards additional training to build upon their existing knowledge and skills. They are able to assess and determine areas for improvement to further develop the childcare service; they identified their own area for further development from this inspection. • Staff are very involved in children's play and are interested in what they do and say. There is an excellent range of resources which provide interesting, stimulating and fun activities. The children enjoy attending and are very comfortable with the staff and with each other. • Parents are kept very well informed about the setting, and about the progress their children are making. There is a strong sense of partnership, with parents being encouraged to become fully involved. • There are very good recording systems, comprehensive policies and

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What is being done well?

procedures, and other useful information in place to inform practice.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

The staff are very skilled and creative in providing a secure, comfortable and exciting setting for children. They are imaginative and create a wealth of opportunities so that children are enabled to take part in the activities. They offer a warm and caring environment where children are supported well. Activities such as simple science and puzzle solving shape recognition are used to good effect. Although new starters and established children attend, all children are able to settle well and join in with the

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 group. The children are encouraged to participate at their own pace and are able to enhance their existing skills and learn new ones. Staff are sensitive to differing needs; this being evident in the way they plan and deliver activities so that children are able to experience a wide range of exciting and fun projects. (Standard 3)

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What needs to be improved?

• the further development of the outdoor area to extend children's learning.

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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 3 Further develop the range of activities and play opportunities in the designated outside play areas.

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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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