Old Newton Under Five's

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 09/12/2003 Inspector Name Chris Gregson

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Old Newton Under Five's Setting Address Village Hall, Church Road Old Newton Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 4ED

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Old Newton Under Five's 1010048

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Old Newton Under Five's Address Village Hall, Church Road Old Newton Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 4ED

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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

Old Newton Under 5's opened in 1970. It operates from two rooms in the village hall at Old Newton. The pre-school serves the local and surrounding area. There are currently twenty-four children from two to under five years on roll. This includes eight funded four-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports a number of children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The pre-school opens three days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:45 until 12:15. Four part time staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. One staff member is currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

Old Newton Under Fives provides satisfactory care for all children. There is a good staff to child ratio and space where children can play and have a snack. They have child-sized furniture and the computer is available on a regular basis. Policies and procedures are in place to protect children safely. However, these are being up dated at present. Staff know and encourage good hygiene practice with the children. Effective paperwork ensures staff know about any medical conditions and allergies and they take this information into account when caring for the children. Children can play safely inside and outdoors and staff arrange to take them for walks locally and on outings, weather permitting. Staff have good relationships with the children and provide them with a range of interesting, planned, developmentally appropriate activities. Children can freely

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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 chose their own activities during the first part of the session and then join in whole group activities such as music, singing and story time towards the end of the session. However, there are some times when children are not fully engaged in purposeful play as the session changes. Parents are happy and confident with the care staff provide. However, staff are not pro-active in sharing information about a child's development unless there is a problem. Information about the group is available and parents can ask to see the policies.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provider agreed to develop several action plans, update policies and provide safety measures. Generally good progress has been made implementing these actions to ensure children are protected.

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What is being done well?

• Children are given an interesting range of activities. • Children can use the computer on a very regular basis. • Staffing levels are good providing children with a secure environment. • Good use of the outdoors area, outings and walks in the village in Spring and Summer. • Children sign themselves present at every session in a child's registration book.

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What needs to be improved?

• organisation of change over times, to ensure that children are purposefully engaged • information about a child's progress given to parents on a regular basis • policies and procedures • safety, medication and first aid procedures.

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

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

Std Action Date 2 Include in operational plan the procedure for a lost or uncollected child. 12/01/2004

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

7 Develop and implement an action plan detailing how at least one member of staff with a current first aid certificate will be on the premises or on outings at any one time. 12/01/2004

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Organise the session so that all children, especially the more able, are involved in purposeful play throughout. 11 Develop staff awareness and understanding of consistent, effective ways to manage children's behaviour, taking into account their age and stage of development 12 Provide parents with regular information on their child's progress. 14 Review and update policies in line with current legislation and share these with parents. (This refers to child protection, administration of medication and SEN policies and a complaints procedure.) 6 Ensure that risks to children are minimised with particualr reference to low level glass

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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?

The provision of nursery education at Old Newton Under Fives Pre-school is good. It enables children to make generally good progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning. The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff plan a range of activities that children enjoy and learn from. Plans show good use of outdoors to cover several areas of learning not just physical activities during the summer months. However, not all staff are involved in the planning. Staff ask questions to make the children think and enthusiastically provide whole group opportunities for music, movement and story-time. Staff observe and record children's progress. However, this is limited and not used to inform the planning for a child's next steps in their learning, or a clear picture of progress to share with parents. Leadership and management of the pre-school are generally good. The pre-school is managed by a voluntary committee and the play leader and staff have monthly

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How effective is the nursery education?

meetings to plan activities and ensure children are progressing. The older children go to the local primary school for one afternoon a week and there is continuity with the same members of staff and the opportunity to join the school children at the end of the session to prepare them for starting school. Partnership with parents is generally good. Parents are happy with the provision. They are encouraged to go on educational outings to the seaside or zoo with the staff and children.

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What is being done well?

• Children hear, move and dance to music. They join in with a good range of songs planned and adapted, by the staff, to the themed activities. • Good links with the local school have been established to enable the smooth transition from pre-school to primary school. • Children can use the computer on a regular basis. The computer is set up so that they can effectively use the mouse to move through the art programmes. • Good use is made of the outdoors in summer through planned activities that cover the six areas of learning.

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What needs to be improved?

• recording and assessment to include all staff in this and the planning

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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 • information for parents on their child's progress • more opportunities for children to write and link sounds of letters.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Generally good progress has been made in implementing the action plan drawn up to address the three key issues identified at the previous inspection resulting in good improvements being made to the educational programme. Children use practical everyday activities by use of money in the tea shop, making bar charts to record height, singing songs and using compare bears to weigh and sort into size or colour to become aware of number operations and recording techniques. Staff ask questions to make children think and staff are developing an awareness of the areas of learning through their training courses.

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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: Generally Good Children are confident and they are encouraged to be independent and choose their own activities during the first part of the session. They concentrate at activities such as the computer and sand tray and share and take turns at board games. They form good relationships with the staff and their peers. Children talk about the festivities at home and the seasonal play they take part in annually.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children are good communicators and enthusiastically talk and clearly and accurately give instruction about the computer programme. They use apporpriate language to talk, for example,about their imaginary 'baby dinosaur'. They hear the letter-of-the-week, however, they are not sufficiently encouraged to notice the sounds of letters and words. Children listen to stories with interest and write their name daily in the register.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children can count up to ten and use their name apples daily to count the numbers of children present. They recognise figures and sing action songs such as 'five little snowmen' to add and take away and use mathematical language in everyday activities. They make height charts to record 'how tall is the sunflower' and use compare bears for sorting and weighing. They use a large abacus and coins to sell flowers on the market stall to learn about the use of number through practical activities.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children see how things change and grow through activities such as eggs changing from raw to cooked. They plant cress seeds and grow sunflowers. They can construct using Duplo and join using a range of means. They confidently use the computer and headphones to listen to story tapes. Children are beginning to develop their knowledge of time and place by talking about their families and about places such as the seaside. They talk with respect and interest about festivals from other cultures.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children confidently move around the room and are aware of their own space during whole group activities at 'show and tell' time. They skilfully move around on bikes and scooter manoeuvring between stationary objects. They use balancing bars, a climbing frame and parachute games and take part in a sports day in summer. They use a range of large and small equipment and use a good range of tools, for example, making tree decorations by cutting out salt dough.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children know colours through making collages, for example, with tissue paper and painting a backdrop for a seaside scene with colour washes. They enthusiastically join in moving to music and action songs. They use their imagination in role play such as the dolls hospital, playing in the giant box as Cinderella's castle, three bears house and Aladdin's house. They use their senses to touch and feel and smell the rocks and shells from the seaside.

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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 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: THE KEY ISSUES

• improve the existing system for recording and assessing children's progress and involve all staff in this and the planning process • share the assessment and planning with parents • develop further opportunities for children write and to link sounds of letters to enhance the existing good practice within the playgroup.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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: THE KEY ISSUES

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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