Little Foxes Playgroup

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 22/02/2005 Inspector Name Bernadina Laverty

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Little Foxes Playgroup Setting Address Fox Hollies Park Pavilion Gospel Lane, Acocks Green Birmingham WEST MIDLANDS B27 7EG

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

Little Foxes Playgroup opened in 1998. It operates from 1 main playroom in Fox Hollies Pavillion, Acocks Green, Birmingham. The group serves the local area. There are currently 48 children on roll, this includes 18 funded 3 and 4 year old places. Children attend a variety of sessions each week. The setting supports children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The pre-school opens 5 days a week during school term times. Sessions last from 09.30 to 11.30 Monday to Friday, and 12.30 to 15.00 Wednesday and Thursday. There are eight staff working with the children. All have Early Years qualifications. The setting receives support from a support teacher from the Early Years Partnership. The Playgroup is working towards the Bronze Early Years Growing Together Award.

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How good is the Day Care?

Little Foxes Playgroup provides good quality day care for children. There is a welcoming environment for children and their parents, Staff are friendly, approachable and work well together as a team. Vetting and induction procedures for staff and students are in place, however these are informal. Staff plan and provide a variety of play opportunities catering for all age groups such as junk modelling, floating and sinking experiments and creative activities. Toys, furniture and equipment are stimulating, provide sufficient challenge and meet the needs of all children. Space, both indoor and outside is used appropriately and effectively. Children's behaviour is good and staff value good behaviour. The playgroup is carefully organised and monitored to ensure all children have access to the full range of activities. Children's individual needs and dietary information are recorded effectively. Snack times are a happy and sociable

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How good is the Day Care?

occasion. Snacks are nutritious and varied, children enjoy cheese and biscuits and cereals. They can help themselves to drinks from the water machine throughout the session. Policies and procedures are in place ensuring that the setting is organised, however some aspects of health and safety lack detail including the risk assessment, which is not regularly updated and the attendance register does not include children's arrival

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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 departure times. The setting promotes children's good health and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection although they do not have an up to date list of notifiable diseases. Staff have a knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures reflect the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. There are good partnerships with parents, they are regularly informed of their child's progress and achievements. They receive helpful information about the playgroup, staff record children's progress in their key worker groups and this is shared with the parents.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Not applicable, as there were no actions raised at the previous inspection.

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What is being done well?

• Children participate enthusiastically in planned and spontaneous activities, such as collage, role-play and junk modelling. They are confident, play well together and are keen to learn and develop new skills. • Children are developing a good awareness of special needs through workshops led by the Area Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). • Staff have created a stimulating environment with attractive artwork displayed. Organisation of play resources is well planned, taking children's choices and interests into account. • The partnership with parents is good. Parents have daily, informal opportunities to share information about their child's routine, activities and progress with key workers.

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What needs to be improved?

• the formalisation of induction and staff vetting arrangements • the recording of times of arrival and departure on the register • the procedures to assess risks • the knowledge relating to notifiable diseases.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

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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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 2 Improve induction training, which includes health and safety for new staff and students in their first week of employment. 2 Ensure the attendance register includes times of arrival and departure of children. 6 Ensure the risk assessment is reviewed and produce an action plan with timescales identifying action to be taken to minimise risks. 7 Obtain a list of notifiable diseases.

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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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