St. Marys Preschool Playgroup

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 30/11/2004 Inspector Name Hazel Meadows

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St Mary's Pre School Playgroup Setting Address 322 Woodbridge Road Ipswich Suffolk IP4 4BD

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St Mary's Pre School Playgroup 1072893

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St Mary's Pre School Playgroup Address 322 Woodbridge Road Ipswich Suffolk IP4 4BD

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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

St Mary's Pre-School Playgroup opened in April 1999. It operates from a large church hall in a residential area in east Ipswich. The playgroup makes full use of the hall. The majority of the activities are primarily contained at one end of the hall and the remainder is utilised for large physical play. The hall leads directly outside to a safety surfaced play area and the group also has occasional access to an adjacent grassed area. A maximum of 24 children may attend the playgroup at any one time. The playgroup is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 09:15 until 11:45 and Monday and Friday afternoons from 12:45 until 15:15, term time only. Times are being altered slightly from January 2005. There are currently 39 children aged from two to under five years on roll. Of these, 28 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchment area. The playgroup supports children with special educational needs,

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Information about the setting

and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The playgroup employs four part time staff. Three of the staff, including the play leader, hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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How good is the Day Care?

St Mary's Pre-school Playgroup provides good quality care for children aged two to five years. The playgroup is warm and welcoming for children and their parents. Space is well organised to provide an environment that is conducive to children's play and learning. The group is very well equipped with good quality and plentiful resources. Toys and equipment are well presented and easily accessible to the children. Staff plan and provide a broad range of play activities to promote children's development in all areas. Staff have a good awareness of health and safety issues which they put into practice to ensure the wellbeing of the children. They attend regular training to enhance and update their knowledge and practice and there is a commitment to ongoing improvement. All documentation is in place, well kept and up to date.

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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 Staff put their inclusive policy into practice very well. All children are valued. Staff provide support and appropriate resources to ensure all children can participate fully in the group and that their particular needs are met effectively. Staff know children well as individuals and are attentive to them, promoting their confidence and self worth. Staff are well deployed and play alongside children. They operate a key worker system to aid monitoring, planning and liaison with parents regarding development and learning. Staff work in partnership with the parents and form positive relationships with them. Parents are supportive of, and actively involved in, the running of the group. They are kept well informed of general information and events at the playgroup via a well

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How good is the Day Care?

presented notice board, regular newsletters and verbal exchange of information from staff. An informative introductory booklet and the group's policies are made available to all parents.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the last inspection the group have a designated member of staff responsible for Child Protection issues and the child protection policy complies with local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines. The child protection statement and policy are made available to parents. The main outdoor play area is kept secure and well supervised and the grassed area which is occasionally used for group activities is well supervised.

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What is being done well?

• Staff plan and provide a stimulating, challenging and fun range of play activities to promote children's emotional, social, physical and intellectual abilities. Toys and equipment are well presented and easily accessible, enabling children to make their own choices and encouraging their independence. Adults are interested in and attentive to the children and utilise opportunities as they arise to extend thinking and learning. • Staff have an inclusive practice to ensure all children are valued and accepted as individuals. They know all the children well and treat each of them with equal care, concern and respect. The staff's positive attitude and approach, and their effective use of toys and resources, promote children's appreciation and understanding of diversity and ensure that all children are able to participate at a level appropriate to their needs. • Staff have high and reasonable expectations of children's capabilities and

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What is being done well?

their confidence and achievable independence is effectively promoted. Children are given regular opportunities to develop life skills in a supportive environment through speaking in front of others, pouring their own drinks and helping with tidy up time. • Staff are calm and consistent in their approach to behaviour management and are good role models. Children are well occupied and are focussed and absorbed in their play, which is conducive to positive behaviour. Clear

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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 explanations and a regular routine ensure children understand what is expected and feel secure. Children are treated with respect and positive behaviour is valued, encouraged and praised. • Staff keep parents well informed of recent and forthcoming events at the playgroup by regular newsletters and a prominent, well presented notice board. Parents indicate that staff are friendly and approachable and they have confidence in them. Parents are actively involved on the committee and provide practical support and help.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

The staff establish and maintain very positive relationships with parents, promoting quality and continuity of care of the children. Parents are kept well informed about their child's development and learning and their views are sought, valued and acted upon. The group helps parents to appreciate how they provide for children's learning through play, by displaying their plans and by distributing curriculum play plan information sheets.

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What needs to be improved?

• No improvements were identified on the day of the inspection however staff did indicate their intention to develop the outside play provision.

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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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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

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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