Stepping Stones Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 03/06/2003 Inspector Name Felicity Norton

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Stepping Stones Pre-School (Clipston) Setting Address Clipston School High Street,Clipston Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 9RU

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Stepping Stones Pre-School

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Stepping Stones Pre-School Address Clipston School High Street, Clipston Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 9RU

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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

Stepping Stones Playgroup opened in 1993. It operates within the local school in the rural village of Clipston. The group has access to their own play room with toilets specifically for the pre school children and have shared access to a kitchen, hall and outdoor play facilities. The playgroup serves the local and surrounding areas. The playgroup is registered to provide 18 places for children aged two years to under five years. There are currently 34 children on the roll. This includes 15 funded four year olds and seven funded three year olds. Children attend a variety of sessions each week. The playgroup opens Monday to Friday during school term times. Sessions last from 09.15 to 11.45. There are also two afternoons sessions a week on a Monday and Wednesday from 12.30 to 15.00. Five part time staff work with the children. Two have Early Years qualifications. Three are currently attending training. In addition staff regularly attend training and

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Information about the setting

receive support from a teacher/mentor organised by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Stepping Stones Pre-School (Clipston) offers good quality care for children. The staff within the setting have attended a variety of courses ensuring that they are aware of how to meet children's developmental needs. Underpinning the setting is a very comprehensive operational plan that is carried forward and put into practice by the staff. This ensures that the children are provided with a meaningful environment that is conducive to children's learning through play. Sessions are well organised enabling the children to feel confident to explore the environment and range of equipment and resources on offer. Children's work is displayed around the setting demonstrating that they children are valued. Staff have a good understanding of health and safety issues and maintain the environment to ensure that hazards are minimised. Staff encourage children to learn about hygiene and children understand the importance of hand washing.

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How good is the Day Care?

The staff value the children through listening to them and offering praise and encouragement. The use of questioning extends children's learning and provokes thought. Children's individual needs are identified and met through careful planning

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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 observation techniques. Parents receive good information about the setting and their children's interests and developmental progress. The key worker system appears to be effective and information is shared with parents on a daily basis. Parents are encouraged to participate in the group through being members of the committee or assisting at sessions.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the group agreed to devise a system for recording children's times of arrival and departure and acquire written parental consent for emergency treatment of their child. These two actions have been met and this has resulted in improvement of the standards. The register includes arrival and departure times of each individual child and the emergency medical consent form now makes up part of the registration document.

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What is being done well?

• There is a very clear operational plan demonstrating the aims and objectives of the pre-school, how staff are deployed, staff training and all other relevant documents that are important to the overall running of the provision. This is made available to all necessary persons and all staff members have their own individual copies • Staff have a good understanding of each child's stage of development. When children participate in free play, this knowledge is used to encourage learning through discussion. • Children are provided with a meaningful environment that encourages them to make choices through their play. They are able to access an environment that provides opportunities in all areas of play, learning and development and are able to choose further equipment within this. • Staff take positive steps to minimise hazards and ensure the safety of the children. They ensure that children are aware of hygiene routines through

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What needs to be improved?

• the organisation of snack time to encourage greater independence.

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Outcome of the 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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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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