Uplands School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/06/2003 Inspector Name Pauline Margaret Bailey

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Noah's Ark Pre School Wells Setting Address C/O St joseph and St Teresa's SChool Lover's Walk Wells Somerset BA5 2QL

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Noahs Ark Pre-school Wells Address Lovers Walk Wells Somerset BA5 2QL

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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

Noah's Ark is a Catholic pre-school situated within the grounds of St Joseph and St Teresa Catholic Primary School in Wells Somerset. The group have sole use of the building and a small enclosed garden area. The pre-school can also use the school facilities and outside grass area and hard standing playground. The children attending live in and around Wells. Priority is given to children from Catholic families, but children from all faiths are welcome. The group are registered to care for 16 children between the ages of two to five years. There are currently no children attending who have been identified with special educational needs and no children have English as an additional language. The group operate five mornings a week 9.15 until 12 noon. There are six members of staff, three of them hold early years qualifications. Good links have been developed with the local primary schools particularly St Joseph and St Teresa. The

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Information about the setting

group have received input from the local EYDCP.

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How good is the Day Care?

Noahs Ark Preschool offers good quality care for children. The operational plan is detailed and effective and contributes to the effective running of each session. Staff are well qualified and totally committed to providing an environment in which children are offered a balanced programme of activities. Premises are bright, welcoming and well organised. The preschool has a good range of quality resources and equipment. Procedures are in place to ensure that the premises are secure at all times. Staff have a good understanding of health and safety issues and all food provided is healthy and nutritious. The group have established procedures for the reporting and sharing of any concerns related to child protection. All staff know children well and are aware of individual needs and interests. Good support is provided for parents and children where there are particular needs.

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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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Children are well cared for by the staff and behaviour is good. Staff are consistent in their approach and encourage children to be tolerant and care for each other. Parents receive very good information about the setting through the information booklet, regular newsletters and notice board in the entrance hall. They are well informed about the educational programme and invited to contribute with any skills or hobbies. Staff are available to talk with parents on a daily basis and consultation evenings are offered during the year.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Good progress has been made on the action arsing from the previous inspection. Written parental consent has been obtained for children to receive emergency medical advice or treatment.

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What is being done well?

• The operational plan is detailed and well organised.. Staff are deployed effectively and work directly with children at all times. Induction procedure for new staff and helpers is very informative. • Staff provide and interesting and exciting range of activities for children. They are committed to children's learning and encourage them to explore and investigate. Staff are aware of all children as individuals and aim to provide activities and resources to reflect their different life styles and backgrounds. • The preschool has excellent relationships with parents and carers. There are regular opportunities for them to meet with staff and they are given good information about the setting and the educational programme.

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What needs to be improved?

• disabled access to the building to make it suitable for any person with limited mobility.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 9 Investigate ways in which the premises can be made more accessible for all adults/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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

Noah's Ark Pre-school provides very good nursery education for children. Provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress in personal, social and emotional development, mathematical development, knowledge and understanding of the world, physical development, and creative development. They are making generally good progress in communication, language and literacy. Teaching is very good, The current staff team have good knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals and the stepping stones, They provide a broad range of interesting and stimulating activities which are helping the children to make very good progress in five of the six areas of learning. Leadership and management is very good. The committee are very support of the pre-school and have recently attended a course called "working behind the scenes" to increase their understanding of how they can effectively carry out their roles. Staff have good

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How effective is the nursery education?

relationships and deployment is effective. The partnership with parents is very good. There is good communication between staff and parents and the parents are provided with regular useful information about the provision and their child's progress.

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal, social and emotional development is excellent. The children are confident and able to work independently. They work well as part of a group, taking turns and sharing. • Most children are competent at using mathematical ideas to problem solve, are able to make simple calculations and recognise shapes. • Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is developing well, they explore and investigate enthusiastically using their senses, use appropriate descriptive language and construct with a purpose using a variety of resources. • Children's physical development is very good, the children move and climb with confidence and are developing excellent hand eye coordination. • The children's creative development is encouraged by the staff giving the children opportunities to use their imaginations and express their ideas. • The staff are a strong team, they act as good role models to the children and

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What is being done well?

are supportive to them in their learning.

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What needs to be improved?

• Early mark making . • The children need more access to programmable toys and to develop their

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 skills in IT.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The group have made very good progress since the last inspection. The staff team have developed an effective way of planning and assesses that works for them. The staff team work well in partnership with the parents for the benefit of the children's learning.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in personal, social, and emotional development. Children are interested and well motivated to learn. They are confident and developing good self esteem. for example, they talk confidently in a group, playing Kim's game. Their behaviour is good and they are excellent at working independently.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good The children are making generally good progress in communication, language and literacy, Children interact well with each other and the staff, for example, two children playing with the play dough used language well to play cooperatively. The children use language well to organise their play, especially role play and they are beginning to understand print carries meaning. There are not enough planned opportunities for the children to practise early writing skills.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in mathematical development. Most children can count up to ten, for example, how many pieces of fruit on the plate, or how many items on the tray. The children are beginning to make simple calculations, through number rhymes and they are excellent at using mathematical ideas to solve problems e.g. measuring feet and using measurements to see which is the longest.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good The children are making very good progress in knowledge and understanding of the world. Children explore and investigate with enthusiasm using all their senses. Children are good at using appropriate descriptive language and are naturally curious asking questions such as how and why? The children use a variety of construction well and construct for a purpose.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Very good progress is being made in physical development. Children climb, move through and under with confidence, They are very independent in their self care. They use tools and equipment with control, and skill and they are developing excellent hand and eye coordination.

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PHYSICAL 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good The children are making very good progress in creative development. Children explore colour with enthusiasm and are creative in their art work, such as, the children are involved in choosing and mixing paints for easel paining. They are good at keeping time to music and they are creative with movement in response to music for example, dressing up in ballet clothes and moving like a ballerina to music. The children also use their imaginations well in role play.

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

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 Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very 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

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • Planning needs to show how children will develop early writing skills. The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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