Abington Vale PlaySchool

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 12/11/2003 Inspector Name Elizabeth Culley

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Abington Vale PlaySchool Setting Address 10 Bridgewater Drive Bridgewater Drive Northampton Northants NN3 3AF

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Abington Vale Playgroup Address 10 Bridgewater Drive Northampton Northamptonshire NN3 3AF

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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

Abington Vale PlaySchool opened in 1969. It operates from the community building attached to the primary school in Bridgewater Drive Northampton. There are currently 28 children on roll. This includes six funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The playgroup opens five days a week in school term time. Sessions are from 09:30 to 12:00. A total of five staff work with the children. One staff member has an early years qualifications to NVQ level 3. Four staff are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The group receives support from the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

The playgroup provides a satisfactory standard of care for children. Most records, policies and procedures are in place to ensure children's safety and welfare. The premises offer children a welcoming environment. There is a secure entry and alarm system in place which keeps children safe and secure. The space available is organised to allow children to move freely between activities and to allow supervised access to an enclosed garden. Children are actively encouraged to consider safety by practicing regular fire drills. Staff encourage children to take responsibility for managing good hygiene through regular hand washing. A range of healthy snacks is offered to children which takes into consideration their individual dietary requirements. Generally the range of equipment and toys meets children's varying developmental needs. However the quantity of resources available to children is limited. Staff plan a

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How good is the Day Care?

variety of activities for the children. They work together as a team to support children's emotional development and encourage those whose first language is not English. Staff interact positively with the children. This encourages children to develop their self esteem. Parents and staff work together in partnership to support children's development. Parents are kept informed about their children's progress and have opportunities to

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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 be involved in the group. Information is shared.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the registered person agreed to improve safety by complying with any recommendations made by the fire officer, and developing a system for registering the attendance of staff and children. It was also agreed that an action plan would be drawn up to show how they would meet the minimum staff qualification requirement. Records have been updated to include a registration system for staff, children and visitors. All fire regulations have been met. Staff staff are currently working towards an appropriate child care qualification.

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What is being done well?

• Staff keep children safe and offer good levels of supervision. There is a high ratio of staff to children. • Staff work in partnership with parents well. Parents have opportunity to be involved in the group and are kept informed about their child's progress. A regular parents evening is held each half term to share information about children's progress. A daily communication book is used to share information between parents and key workers. This supports children's individual care needs to be met.

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What needs to be improved?

• procedures, to include a procedure to be followed in the event of a child being lost or uncollected and • the complaints procedure, by including the address and telephone number of Ofsted • staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues • the amount of toys and activities available for children to ensure that there are sufficient resources to meet the needs of the children.

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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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 13 Develop staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. 12 Ensure that the complaints procedure includes the address and telephone number of the regulator (Ofsted) 2 Make sure there is a procedure to be followed in the event of a child being lost or a parent failing to collect a child.

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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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