St Peter And St Mary's Pre-school

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/02/2004 Inspector Name Lynda Jean Bullock

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St Peter And St Mary's Pre-school Setting Address St Mary's Community Centre Silverdale Avenue Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 1LS

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St Peter And St Mary's Preschool

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St Peter And St Mary's Preschool Address St Mary's Community Centre Silverdale Avenue Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 1LS

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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 Peter and St Mary's Playgroup is a committee run community group which is based in St Mary's Community Centre which is situated not far from the town centre of Stowmarket in Suffolk. The playgroup has been registered for over 30 years and can accommodate 24 children. Children are accepted into the provision in the term they are three. The group currently operates for seven sessions per week. The group supports children who may have special needs and who's first language is not english. There are nine regular members of staff employed to work with the children, four of these staff hold recognised child care qualifications. There is no outdoor play area available so, to compensate, staff take children on regular outings.

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How good is the Day Care?

St Peter and St Mary's Playgroup provides good quality care for children. The group provides sufficient staff at each session to ensure that children receive a lot of individual attention. The group are committed to training and gaining further knowledge to add to the staff's skill base. The staff have made the play room welcoming to children and parents, space is well organised and laid out ready for when children arrive. The group's record keeping is well ordered and the detailed operational plan will ensure the efficient management of the provision. The premises are secure and staff have put in place systems for the safe arrival and departure of children. Thorough risk assessment, health and safety procedures are in place and staff take positive steps to ensure children are safe in their care. Children are given opportunities to take part in a wide range of well planned and prepared activities which covers all areas of their development. Staff ensure that all

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How good is the Day Care?

children are able to take part and their individual needs are met. The relationship between children and staff is positive and relaxed. Parents are welcomed into the group. They are kept well informed about the groups

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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 activities through regular newsletters and the sharing of information about their children on a daily basis as well as through each child's development file. The staff work in partnership with parents to meet the needs of the children.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The playgroup have put in place a detailed operational plan for the safe and effective management of the setting.

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What is being done well?

• The staff have attended a wide range of training courses which ensures that they are up to date on new developments in early years practice. Children benefit from being cared for by an experienced, qualified staff team. • The staff have a good knowledge of potential dangers to children and have produced thorough risk assessment procedures to minimise hazards, these include both a daily checklist and a longer term document which is reviewed regularly. When going on local outings a risk assessment is carried out by staff to highlight any possible dangers. • Good standards of hygiene are in place within the playgroup and all staff provide children with good role models, children are learning good hygiene practices though regular daily routines of hand washing, cleaning tables and tidying up. • The group gives high priority to supporting children and their families who may have special needs. They have a named member of staff who ensures

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What is being done well?

the group have a proactive approach to providing appropriate care for children. This ensures individual needs are met and promotes integration.

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What needs to be improved?

• the main entrance way to provide a warm and welcoming environment for parents and children.

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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

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 4 Continue to develop the main entrance way to provide a warm and welcoming environment to parents and children, for example, by providing comfortable seating, organising the equipment stored in the area and by providing a system to hang coats on named pegs.

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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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