Impact Youth Services Ltd

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 30/09/2004 Inspector Name Lynn Denise Smith

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name Spring Lodge Playgroup & Out of School Clubs Setting Address Spring Lodge, Powers Hall End Witham Essex CM8 2HE

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Spring Lodge Community Centre 301438

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Spring Lodge Community Centre Address Spring Lodge Powers Hall End Witham Essex CM8 2HE

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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

Spring Lodge Playgroup and Out of School Facility opened in 1990. It is a multiple provision providing a pre-school playgroup, out of school club and holiday playscheme, operating from Witham Spring Lodge Community Centre. The premises are situated in a large building on the outskirts of Witham. The provision serves the local and surrounding areas. There are currently 32 children from 2 to 5 years on roll at the pre-school and 52 children on roll at the out of school facility. This includes 15 funded 3 and 4 year old children. 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 five days a week all year round. Sessions are from 09:15 to 11:45, 11:45 to 14:45 and 14:45 to 17:45. Nine staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to

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Information about the setting

NVQ level 2 or 3. One member of staff is working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and from 4 Children.

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How good is the Day Care?

Spring Lodge Playgroup and Out of School Facility provides satisfactory care for children. There is a consistent group of staff working directly with the children, four of whom hold a level 3 qualification. The group has worked hard to establish roles within the setting and to devise written information for staff and parents. A clear operational plan sets out the daily procedures and practices. Staff make good use of the premises, however more opportunities could be provided to develop the use of the outside area. There is a good range of toys and play materials, some of which is stored at the children's height in low level cupboards. Children could further develop independence if some of the cupboards were organised, to allow children free access to the equipment. Records are kept in accordance with the National Standards. Staff ensure the safety and well being of the children, by carrying out regular risk

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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 assessments and encouraging children to develop an understanding of health and safety. Some children attend the session which covers the lunchtime period, parents supply a packed lunch and the children enjoy sitting together and talking quietly with the adults close at hand. The staff provide snacks, which could be developed to offer a wider range and could further improve the children's freedom of choice. Children's special needs and requirements are accounted for by staff through planning and adaptation of activities. Staff are aware of their responsibilities with regard to child protection. Children are offered a range of play materials and activities to suit their needs. Staff consider the children's varying ages when planning the activities and ensure that the six areas of learning are covered. There is a clear behaviour management policy in

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How good is the Day Care?

place. Parents are welcomed and staff are on hand to share information and discuss the children's needs. Regular newsletters are sent home, providing information about the setting and forthcoming events.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection Spring Lodge Playgroup and Out of School Facility agreed to devise an operational plan, keep a daily register of staff and children's attendance, observe and record children's development, devise systems for planning to meet the six areas of learning, conduct a risk assessment, obtain parent's consent to administer medication and keep a record of medication given, provide drinking water at all times, devise written information about the setting and activities offered, devise written policies on :- no smoking, equal opportunities, special needs, behaviour management and complaints, and ensure that these are made accessible to parents. The group was also asked to obtain parent's written consent to seek emergency treatment, ensure resources are readily accessible to children and provide activities and resources, which encourage children's natural curiosity. The staff and committee have worked hard to implement an operational plan,

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What has improved since the last inspection?

containing all of the above mentioned policies, this is accessible to parents at all times. They follow the stepping stones system of planning for and recording children's development. A daily register is in place, parental consent is sought prior to medication being administered and a written record kept of all medication administered. There is a prospectus detailing information about the setting and activities offered, a risk assessment is carried out regularly and drinking water is available throughout the session. The staff are still in the process of obtaining the parent's written permission to seek emergency treatment and have some work to do on ensuring activities are readily available to children and providing resources which encourage the children's natural curiosity. These have been addressed in the recommendation section of this report. All of the above improvements have ensured that the group is providing a professional service for local families.

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What is being done well?

• The staff and committee have devised a clear operational plan, which details

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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 the day to day policies and procedures. Adult to child ratios are maintained above those required by the National Standards, providing children with consistent adult support. • Staff have devised a clear, positive behaviour management policy, which ensures children are valued and encouraged to gain an understanding of right and wrong.

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What needs to be improved?

• the range of activities, to extend the children's knowledge and understanding of the world • the procedure for obtaining the parent's written consent to seek emergency medical treatment • activities which enable children to gain independence with regard to snack time and making choices over play.

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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 Extend the children's knowledge and understanding by introducing more outdoor play opportunities and by bringing natural activities into the provision. 7 Obtain the parent's written permission to seek emergency medical treatment.

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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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