The Griffin School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 25/06/2003 Inspector Name Catherine, Louise Sample

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Griffin School Setting Address 154 Castle Road Salisbury Wiltshire SP1 3SA

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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

The Griffin School has been registered since 2001. It operates from premises on the edge of Salisbury and serves the local area. The Griffin School is registered to provide full day care for 56 children from the age of two. It offers nursery sessions as well as before and after school care and a holiday club. There are currently 75 children from two to five years on roll for the nursery school. This includes 15 funded three year olds and 23 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The Griffin School supports children who have special needs. There are no children who speak English as an additional language. The Griffin School opens five days a week all year round from eight a.m. to seven p.m. with a variety of provision available. There are a total of 16 staff working with the children. Seven have teaching or early years qualifications and two are currently completing training

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Information about the setting

programmes. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

The provider offers satisfactory quality care for the children. The majority of staff are vetted and qualified and the provider has a commitment to professional development. The children are grouped appropriately and sufficient staff work directly with them. The premises provide a warm and welcoming environment with imaginative displays of the children's work throughout. At present the toilet facilities on the first and second floors are inadequate. The provider keeps all the records, policies and procedures required for the efficient running of the business although the registration system does not record times of arrival and departure of children and adults. The provider has a variety of safety issues outstanding including security of the building and supervision of the children. The provider has effective procedures to reduce illness and prevent infection but does not have hygienic hand washing procedures in all areas of the building. The provider offers nutritious snacks and

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How good is the Day Care?

meals and meets dietary needs. It also meets the individual needs of all children including those with identified Special Needs. The provider promotes equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. The staff are aware of child protection issues although the provider does not have procedures to follow in the event of allegations of abuse or neglect against a member of staff. The provider plans a wide range of activities to help children of all ages make progress in all areas of their development. There is a large selection of resources for all age groups and a particularly wide range of resources reflecting positive images of culture, gender and disability. The provider has an appropriate behaviour management strategy, but it is

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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 not consistently applied by all staff. The provider works in partnership with parents to meet the needs of the children. Staff establish a friendly relationship with parents and exchange information about the children regularly.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provider was asked to address a number of safety issues, to ensure that all staff were vetted and to draw up action plans showing how minimum staffing qualification criteria would be met for the nursery and the holiday club. The provider was also asked to appoint a named deputy, to introduce a key worker system and to ensure that staff record their observations of the children's progress. The provider was asked to improve the registration system, to draw up procedures for children that are not collected, to appoint a designated member of staff to deal with child protection issues and to ensure the use of appropriate methods of behaviour management. The provider was asked to keep records of vehicles and drivers used for the out of school club and the holiday club and to ensure good hygiene practice. The provider has now had all staff vetted with the exception of new staff that are still in the process, action plans for meeting minimum

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What has improved since the last inspection?

staffing criteria have been drawn up and a deputy has been appointed. The provider has introduced a key worker system and staff now record observations of the children. The provider has written procedures for children that are not collected and a member of staff has been made the designated person for child protection issues. The provider now has records of vehicles and drivers used. The provider has not fully addressed the outstanding safety issues, the registration system still does not show times of arrival and departure and hygienic hand washing procedures are still not in place in all areas.

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What is being done well?

The provider plans and provides a stimulating range of activities to help the children make progress in all areas of their development.(Standard 3) The provider uses imaginative displays of the children's work to provide a welcoming environment. (Standard 4) The provider has a wide range of appropriate resources including a large range of resources that are used to promote equality of opportunity. (Standard 5) The provider supplies nutritious food and drink that complies with children's dietary and religious requirements. (Standard 8) The provider works in partnership with the parents in order to meet the individual needs of the children. (Standards 9, 10 and 12)

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What needs to be improved?

the registration system; (Standard 2) the toilet facilities; (Standard 4) the safety of the children; (Standard 6) the hand washing procedures; (Standard 7) the consistent use of appropriate behaviour management strategies; (Standard 12) the procedures to follow in the event of allegations of abuse or neglect against a member of staff; (Standard 13)

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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

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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 6 Ensure that positive steps are taken to promote safety 27/07/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 ensure that registration system records times of arrival and departure of children, staff and visitors 4 ensure adequate toilet facilities are available on the first and second floors 7 ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing 11 ensure strategies for dealing with behaviour are fully understood and consistently applied 13 ensure child protection statement includes procedures to follow in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect against a member of staff

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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 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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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

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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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