Longoak Pre-school

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 07/06/2004 Inspector Name Wendy, Elizabeth Lightfoot

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Longoak Pre-school Setting Address Longoak Pre-School, Pilands Wood Centre Chamberlayne Road, Bursledon Southampton Hampshire SO31 8DT

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Longoak Pre-school Address Longoak Pre-School, Pilands Wood Centre Chamberlayne Road, Bursledon Southampton Hampshire SO31 8DT

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

Longoak Preschool is managed by a voluntary committee. It runs in the Community Centre in the middle of the Pilands Wood housing estate and serves the local area. There are currently 47 children from two years nine months to under five years on roll. This includes nine funded three year olds and 24 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The preschool opens for morning sessions from 9:30 to 12:00, and afternoon sessions from 12:15 to 14:45, during term time. It caters for 26 children in a large room with a small patio play area directly outside. One full-time and five part-time staff work with the children. Over half of the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Longoak Preschool provides good care for children. The preschool has effective procedures for appointing and vetting staff, ensuring the protection of children at all times. Staff are well organised and understand their responsibilities towards the children, though some written policies need extra detail. They plan the best use of indoor and outdoor space to maximise children's opportunities to use all toys and resources freely, promoting independence and children's confidence. Care is taken to keep all records on children confidential, while giving access to the child's own parents. Staff are proactive in ensuring children's health and safety and in catering for their specific dietary needs. Children are welcomed as individuals and any special needs catered for in a positive manner, in partnership with the child's parents and any relevant professionals. Children are helped to learn about the wider world with good

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

quality resources. Effective procedures ensure staff are aware of possible child protection issues and steps to take if concerned. Children are given many opportunities to learn in a well planned and resourced environment which they can access freely, and where they are supported and encouraged as needed by skilled staff. Staff effectively promote good behaviour and help children acquire self-discipline, thereby fostering good social skills.

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 Staff employ a variety of means to inform parents of the preschool's aims, activities and procedures. Parents' participation is welcomed in preschool sessions, social activities and on the parent committee, although some committee members do not have a clear understanding of their roles.

p.2

What is being done well?

• Staff, space and resources are organised effectively to promote children's development in all areas. Children are independent in selecting activities and sometimes play for very extended periods at a favourite one. They concentrate well, use their imagination and work cooperatively developing scenarios, which promotes their language and communication skills. Staff help children learn and develop by listening to them, talking to them and asking searching questions. Children free-flow between indoor and outdoor activities, experiencing a wide range of play opportunities, which keeps them interested and busily involved. • The café-style snack table is very well organised with staff present to help children and ensure it is a pleasant social experience. This system also ensures that children can choose to have their snack at a time when they are hungry/thirsty, so the individual needs of the child are met. It also avoids

p.3

What is being done well?

children having to leave a stimulating activity before they are ready. The snacks offered are healthy, including several types of fruit, in manageable sized pieces, and sometimes a savoury biscuit. Staff are very careful to respect children's individual dietary needs, liaising carefully with parents, particularly where there are known allergies. • Staff manage children's behaviour in a positive and consistent way taking account of children's level of understanding. They use praise and encouragement promoting good behaviour and teach techniques to encourage self discipline, for example, a child may use an egg-timer to manage turn-taking when wanting to ride on a particular toy. • Staff have good procedures in place to keep staff and children safe. Entry to the preschool is restricted, visitors' identities are checked and they sign into a visitors book. Risk assessments are part of the daily routine and used to plan

p.3

What is being done well?

safety on outings. Staff and committee are vetted and children escorted to the toilets in this public building.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• understanding of their roles by committee members • policies and procedures to reflect this specific setting and to give all relevant telephone numbers.

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

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 12 Ensure that committee members have a clear understanding of their roles. 14 Ensure that all documentation is complete and up to date.

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