Cranbrook

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 26/02/2004 Inspector Name Anna-Marie Moyse

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St Mawes & St Just Under Fives Setting Address Recreation Ground St Mawes Truro Cornwall TR2 5AR

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St Mawes & St Just Under 5s Group

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St Mawes & St Just Under 5s Group Address Recreation Ground St. Mawes Truro Cornwall TR2 5AR

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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 in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

St Mawes under fives group opened in 1981. It operates from one main room in the recreation ground building. It is located near the central car park area of St Mawes. The group serves St Mawes and St Just and other outlying districts. There are currently eight children from two to five on roll. This includes five funded three year olds and two funded four year olds. Children attend a variety of sessions. The group are able to take children with special needs and would support children who speaks English as an additional language. The group opens three days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09.30 until 12.00, on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There are two full time staff who work with the children. Both have early years qualifications. The group also have support from parents each session. The group receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, and are members of the Pre School Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

St Mawes and St Just Under Five Group provides satisfactory care for children. The small group use a community building which is well transformed into a child orientated environment. A very good range of equipment and resources are available for children to access. The building does have a heating system but this is not sufficient to maintain a comfortable temperature in extreme cold. The group are also limited by the provision's lack of warm water for hand washing facilities, but adequate provision is made. However more encouragement could be given to children to wash hands before eating. The staff are well trained and provide a range of interesting activities for the children. They regularly use the outdoor area, even in cold weather. The children enjoy sitting out and having a cup of warm soup between snow showers. Children behave well

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and are very good at sharing equipment. The children benefit from a high adult ratio which allows children's needs to be well supported. Children are offered a variety of foods for snack and through baking activities. These are healthy and introduce children to a wide range of tastes and experiences. Staff are familiar with the child protection procedures but the volunteer helpers at the sessions are not sufficiently well informed on their role. Parent's are made very welcome to the group and are relied on to help on a parent rota. Parents and carers are invited to meet and have a warm drink in the mornings while the children settle into the session. This enables parents and staff to discuss any concerns, and gives and idea opportunity for parents to chat with each other.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection three actions were raised this was to obtain permission from parents for the staff to be able to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, to ensure the behaviour management policy included how bullying would be dealt with, and for the setting to establish a system to record any incidents. All these actions have been addressed. There is now a written agreement between parents and staff over the care of children in an emergency. The behaviour management policy contains an statement on bullying. The setting hold a book which can be used to record details of any incidents at the setting which can be shared with parents.

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What is being done well?

• A broad range of interesting activities are provided for the children, including good use of the local environment. • A good selection of well presented toys and equipment is readily available for children to access. • Staff are well trained and work well together as a team, they interact well with the children.

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What needs to be improved?

• the arrangements to provide a comfortable temperature in the setting • the procedure for hygienic hand washing before snack • the procedure for completing the accident record book • the contact details of the regulator • the knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures for volunteers.

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Outcome of the 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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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 4 Ensure that the premises are maintained at an adequate and comfortable temperature. 7 Ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing before snack. 7 Ensure details of all accidents are recorded and acknowledged by parents. 12 Ensure the name and contact details of the regulator is made available to parents. 13 Develop volunteer helper’s knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

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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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

St Mawes and St Just Under Five group are providing good quality nursery education. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals in personal, social and emotional development and knowledge and understanding of the world. Children are making generally good progress in communication, language and literacy, mathematics, physical development and creative development. Children benefit from a small group with high adult ratio. Teaching is generally good. The two staff members are well qualified and are very experienced. They relate to children well and provide a wide and interesting range of activities giving children first hand experiences. Organisation of the session provide a good balance of both child and adult directed learning. However more information could be provided to volunteers and adults on how the child directed play could be extended with good support form adults. A system to monitor children's access to

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How effective is the nursery education?

activities would ensure that children are receiving a balanced curriculum. The assessment and planning systems are in place, and can be further developed to ensure that more able children are challenged appropriately. Leadership and management is generally good. The group is run by a voluntary committee formed by the parents and carers. The management committee delegate the provision of nursery education to staff. The committee are supportive and willing to help children receive a good education, through supporting staff in fund raising and helping in the sessions. However at present there is no system in place for the setting to monitor itself and evaluate the provision to help further development. The partnership with parents is generally good. Parents are encouraged to be involved in the group through the committee and helping in the sessions. Parents are invited to stay for a short while at each session, giving them opportunity to chat

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How effective is the nursery education?

with staff and with other parents and share information.

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What is being done well?

• Staff plan and implement a broad curriculum of first hand experiences for children. • Good use is made of the local environment to extend children understanding of nature and the history of the surrounding area, the group regularly visit the local beach and St Mawes castle using these visits to develop children play and creative skills. • Children make good use of the wide variety of toys and resources readily available to them , both indoors and in the outdoor area. • A good balance of child and adult directed activities are provided.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What needs to be improved?

• A system to monitor children's access to the range of activities. • Systems for assessing the settings strengths and weaknesses to monitor the provision. • The information given to adults to help support, develop and extend children's free play. • Assessments to be used effectively to challenge more able children in all areas.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Generally good progress has been made since the previous inspection when three key issues were raised. These were for the group to continue developing planning, and include information to indicate what the children will learn, how they will be grouped and how staff and helpers will be deployed. The setting now utilise the suggested planning provided by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and develop it to meet the needs of the children attending. There is limited information on the planning to indicate the grouping of children and staff and volunteer deployment but this is partially due to the very small numbers currently attending the setting. The planning covers all areas of learning and stipulates the key learning intention of activities. The second key issue was for the group to continue to develop the assessment system and ensure this is used for future planning. The group now use various

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What has improved since the last inspection?

systems for recording children's progress. Targets are set for children to help them make progress in two areas each term. There is still some area for development to help the more able children continue to make progress in all areas. The final key issue was to improve the day-to-day organisation by including more times when children are encouraged to listen in large group situations. The setting have made very good progress in this area. Children sit and listen in circle time, story time, snack and in group activities such as baking and in outdoor group activities.

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What has improved since the last 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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are interested, developing self confidence and are forming good relationships with other children and adults at the setting. Some children are very confident to speak in group situations and to express their feelings. Children are able to freely access all activities and make their own choices. The close connections with the local village and area develop children's awareness of their own local community.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children are establishing some good communication skills, which is well supported by the high adult presence and regular opportunities for conversations. Children really enjoyed joining in with the story of the 'Enormous Turnip' and acting out the story with their own changes in characters, having a lion, zebra and elephant working together certainly helped the turnip 'pop out'. Children practise their writing skills in the home corner and role play area which is currently a post office.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children use language to describe shape position size and quantity.They regularly practise their counting skills in number rhymes and in practical situations. There is plenty of mathematical language used in the sessions through baking activities, sand, play dough and in sorting pasta. Children enjoy playing games using counting skills in the outdoor area, 'What's the time Mr Wolf?' being the favourite at the moment.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children explore investigate and are developing a sense of time place and other cultures. The group use their local area well and regular visits are made to the beach, which is a short walk away. A visit to the St Mawes castle provided inspiration for creating a large replica castle and children enjoyed role playing an invasion. Children make good use of the computer in the room. The excellent displays of the recent space ship activity demonstrates children design and making skills.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Good resources are readily available for children to access a large climbing system in the setting and there is plenty of space for the bikes to be used indoors. Children practise their starting and stopping skills with the use of the traffic lights. They develop their throwing skills with the small size basket ball net in the outdoor area. Activities which develop small manipulative skills are provided but some children choose not to use them preferring to enjoy the large equipment.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are able to access a wide range of creative activities and explore media, music and use their imagination. The displays in the room demonstrate the variety of materials the children work with. Both natural and man-made resources are provided, ranging from plastic bottles and cardboard boxes to feathers and seashells. Making and tasting various fillings for pancakes provided children with the opportunity to taste sweet syrup and sour lemon.

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• continue to develop the planning and assessment systems to ensure that the more able children are challenged appropriately • develop a system to monitor the setting to ensure that children are receiving a balanced curriculum, and that the setting can identify their own strengths and weaknesses to help further development • provide clear, useful information to help all adults continue children's development and learning in their play.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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