Lydiard Millicent Pre-school

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 09/04/2003 Inspector Name Abigail Langmead

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Lydiard Millicent Pre-school Setting Address The Butts Swindon Wiltshire SN5 3LR

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Lydiard Millicent Pre-School

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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 in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

Lydiard Millicent Pre-school was registered in 1989, but in 2001 opened in it's current building. It operates from one room in a purpose built building on the grounds of Lydiard Millicent Primary Schhol. The pre-school serves the local area. There are currently 27 children from three to five years on roll. This includes eight funded three year olds and six funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting support children with special needs. The group opens four days a week during term times. Sessions are from 9:15am - 12:15 pm. Three part-time staff work with the children. All have early years qualifications. The setting recieves support from a teacher/mentor from the local Early Years Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Lydiard Millicent Pre-school Playgroup provides satisfactory care for children. Staff implement procedures well and there is a good use of space and resources. Arrangements for induction are less well developed. Children have good access to the whole premises safely, due to the high safety awareness of staff. Risk assessments are, however, not recorded. The use of resources for planned activities to promote creative and imaginative play, are less well developed. Records are securely stored, and staff implement most procedures consistently and confidently. There is no written complaints policy, nor written access to records policy for parents, nor a statement of procedure to be followed if a parent fails to collect a child, or a child is lost. Staff consistently promote good hygiene and implement written procedures. There are clear and accessible written snack menus available to parents, supported by a written policy regarding healthy eating. However, the

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How good is the Day Care?

availability of healthy snacks is limited. Staff have a good understanding of equal opportunities and all children are included. There is a range of resources and planned activities that reflect diversity. Children with special needs are well supported in the setting. Staff understand child protection procedures but written procedures do not cover allegations made against staff. All children have access to a wide range of resources and are making good progress in most areas. There are good relationships between staff and children. Children have limited opportunities to make decisions and develop thinking through the use of open questions. Children

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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 are well behaved due to staff's consistent and positive approach. Staff develop good relationships with parents and carers, and create a warm and welcoming environment. The setting has a written confidentiality policy that is implemented by staff. Parents are kept well informed of the provision. There is no written complaints procedure.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection two actions were raised. The setting was asked to obtain written permission regarding seeking emergency medical treatment for children which has now been obtained for each child, and was also asked to keep a record of significant accidents, which is now also being done. This has improved children's safety and recordkeeping.

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What is being done well?

Staff develop positive relationships with children and parents enabling children to feel secure and make progress across most areas of development. (Standard 3) Staff consistently implement safety procedures enabling children to access different parts of the building confidently and risks to be minimised. (Standard 6) There is a comprehensive written equal opportunities policy which staff have a clear understanding of. All children have access to the activities available, and children with special needs are well supported. (Standard 9) Staff consistently implement positive behaviour management strategies resulting in children's good behaviour. Children have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. (Standard 11)

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What needs to be improved?

planned activities to support the area of imagination and creativity; (Standard 3) children's thinking and decision making through interactions with staff; (Standard 3) the availability of healthy and nutritious snacks; (Standard 8) and documentation to ensure that (i)there are written procedures regarding making complaints; (ii) times of arrival and departure for children and staff are recorded; and (iii) a statement of procedure to be followed if a parent fails to collect a child, or a child is lost, is in place. (Standard 14)

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

Std Action Date 14 Ensure that there is a statement of the procedure to 21/05/2003

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

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 followed where a parent has a cpmlaint about the service provided by the registered person, kept on the premises. 14 Ensure that attendance records indicate times of arrival and departure for staff and children. 10/04/2003

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

14 Ensure that a statement of procedure to be followed if a parent fails to collect a child, or a child is lost, is in place. 21/05/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 3 Extend the use of open questioning during activities to enable children to think about what they are doing. 3 Extend children’s ability to make decisions during planned activities. 8 Extend snacks available to include healthy and nutritious options for children.

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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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How effective is the nursery education?

Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The teaching of children is generally good. Staff provide lots of opportunities to reinforce learning through the daily activities e.g. self registration with name cards, colour tables at snack time, counting heads when lining up for outdoor play. Few opportunities, however, are provided for children to take an active part in their learning. Staff limit the children's learning through the frequent use of closed questions. Leadership and management within the setting is generally good. The Staff and committee have an effective working relationship and a clear understanding of roles. However, no formal self evaluation of the setting currently takes place. The partnership with parents is generally good. Parents receive useful information about the setting throughout the time their children attend the group. Parental knowledge of the children is not sought when planning the children's areas

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What is being done well?

Children are confident and motivated to learn. Children are given regular opportunities to become familiar with counting and the sounds of letters. Children are able to use tools with increasing skills

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What needs to be improved?

Staff limit the children's learning through the frequent use of closed questions. Children have limited opportunities to explore their creativity and imagination.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The Playgroup has made generally good progress since the last inspection. Children's progress is monitored by the key workers though parental input is not recorded. Staff now have a clearer picture of children's progress. A new parent information pack is in draft form and will soon be in circulation and group policies are being reviewed. This will enable parents to be better informed about the group and it's policies. Staff have attended training on the education of children with special educational needs and a co-ordinator is now in place. This has improved the group's knowledge of special needs and the provision for children attending.

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What has improved since the last 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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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in personal, social and emotional development is generally good. Staff have established caring relationships with the children. Children display good behaviour and are were able to share and take turns. Many children in the group are self confident and motivated to learn. Insufficient opportunities are provided for children to self select activities.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in communication language and literacy is generally good. Children are given regular opportunities to become familiar with the sounds of letters, and initial letter sounds of words. Staff talk to the children a lot and the children have good listening skills. There are limited opportunities provided for children to extend their reading and writing skills.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in mathematical development is generally good. Children have repeated opportunities throughout the day to count, for example counting the number of children attending each day. Limited opportunities are provided for calculation and measurements to enable this knowledge of number to be built upon.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in knowledge and understanding of the world is generally good. Opportunities are provided for children to develop skills to enable them to design and make. There is regular access to a computer. Few opportunities are available for the children to investigate natural objects and materials.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in physical development is generally good. Children move confidently and show good spatial awareness of others. Both three and four year olds are able to use and handle tools with increasing skill, such as cutting and pencil control.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Significant Weaknesses Children's progress in creative development shows significant weaknesses. Staff provide repeated opportunities for children to experience basic shape and colour. This is not developed to include children's own creativity and curiosity. Artwork shows strong adult guidance. Children have limited opportunities to develop their

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 creativity and imagination.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered appropriately: Y

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

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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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

Provide opportunities for children to explore their creativity and imagination. Extend the use of open questioning during activities to enable children to think about what they are doing.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

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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