Mill Lane Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/09/2003 Inspector Name Debra Davey

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name St Johns Pre-school Setting Address 64 Larcom St London SE17 1NQ

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St Johns Playgroup (Southwark) 1044546

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St Johns Playgroup (Southwark) Address 118 Pilton Place London SE17 1DR

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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

St Johns Playgroup is a voluntary run group. It operates from the first floor of a community centre in Walworth. The group has use of a hall and a smaller room. It serves the local community. There are currently 28 children from 2-5 years, on roll. This includes 26 funded 3 and 4 year olds. The group has some children who have special needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens 5 days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:30am until 3pm.

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Information about the setting

Four full time staff work with the children. All have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. The setting receives support form the Southwark Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

St Johns Playgroup provides good care for children. The team of qualified and experienced staff work well together to provide a safe and well organised environment that fosters children’s independence and supports their learning well. There is a clear equal opportunities policy and most aspects of practice to promote equality are satisfactory. There are effective systems in place for the smooth running of the group and the deployment of staff enables good support and supervision of children throughout activities. Space and resources are used well to promote the children’s learning. There are comprehensive policies for safety issues and staff give high priority to ensuring that children are safe on the premises and on outings. Record keeping is generally of a good standard. Staff have good understanding of health and hygiene issues and most aspects of hygiene are satisfactory. Children eat their own packed lunches.

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How good is the Day Care?

The range and quality of the activities provided for children is good. There is a well-planned programme that covers all areas of children's development, although there are less frequent physical play activities to develop large motor skills. Children have the freedom and time to enjoy a range of adult and child initiated activities.

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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 They show interest and concentrate well. Staff interact well with the children, responding to their interest, listening to them, talking to them and asking them questions, which encouraged their thinking. There is good support for children with special needs; a member of staff works with children individually and to a planned individual educational programme. Staff develop positive relationships with parents, which supports the care of children. There is good sharing of information relating to each child's progress using written records and verbal feedback.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provider agreed to review the staff recruitment process to encourage applicants from all parts of the community; to improve the security of the building; to develop consistent methods of recording incidents and to increase staff's knowledge of child protection. All actions have been satisfactorily addressed by the provider- vacancies are advertised locally and the interview panel includes community members; a new door with a door bell has been installed; the incident book has been updated and staff are shortly due to update their child protection training.

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What is being done well?

• Staff make effective use of children's observations to inform planning and provide a range of age appropriate activities to help children learn. • Children respond well to the sensitive support of staff and their behaviour and concentration is good. • The group gives good support to children attending with special needs by providing a specialist worker who plans for their individual needs and by encouraging all children to care for one another.

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What needs to be improved?

• the range of equipment to reflect all areas of equality; • the planned programme for physical play; • the registration system, to ensure that children's departure is recorded.

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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 3 Improve the planned programme for physical play to include more frequent opportunities for children to develop large motor skills. 6 Develop existing record of attendance to include a record of the time of departure. 9 Increase the range of toys and materials that reflect areas of equality to include positive images of culture, gender and disability.

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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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