Hurst Methodist Junior School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 04/05/2004 Inspector Name Janet Butlin

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Stokenham Pre-School Centre Setting Address Stokenham Pre-School Centre Pre-School Building, Stokenham Kingsbridge Devon TQ7 2SJ

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Stokenham Pre-School Centre 1013767

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Stokenham Pre-School Centre Address Pre-School Building Stokenham Primary School,Stokenham Kingsbridge Devon TQ7 2SJ

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Established 32 years ago, Stokenham Pre-school is managed by a committee of parents and operates from a single storey building in the grounds of Stokenham Primary School. There is secure, enclosed, outside play space. The group is registered to provide care for up to 26 children aged from three to five years. They are open from 09.30 to 12.00 each morning and until 13.30 on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. There are currently 12 children enrolled, three of whom are three-year-olds and nine of whom are four-year-olds and in receipt of funding. There are no children attending who have special educational needs or English as an additional language. A staff of four support the provision, one of whom is qualified to NVQ level three. Two staff have training in childcare and one staff member is experienced but unqualified at present. The group receives the support of the Devon Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Stokenham Pre-school Centre provides good quality care for children. They offer a welcoming environment where children are eager and happy to learn and are sensitively cared for. The children have warm and trusting relationships with staff who work well as a team. The organisation of care is sound although some procedures lack sufficient detail. The premises are welcoming, and well organised for play. There is ample storage space. A very good range of toys and equipment is available and set out ready for children to access as soon as they arrive. These toys are of good quality, clean, sound and in good condition. Good support is given to ensure children enjoy their time in the group. The outdoor environment is fenced and secure and is equipped for play. Very good consideration is given to issues of safety and risk assessments are regularly undertaken on the premises. This includes checking the safety of fixtures,

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

fittings and equipment and includes the outside area. All documentation is in place. Hygiene is extremely good with children being effectively protected from the risk of infection. Very careful thought is given to the preparation and presentation of varied and nutritious food.

p.2

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 The group has a sound awareness of caring for children with special needs and an adequate understanding of child protection. Regard for equality of opportunity is good. Children's behaviour is managed very well. There is a good partnership with parents who, as well as managing the group are always willing to help out and to become involved. A helpful prospectus is provided and the group ensures that there are opportunities for parents to talk to staff whenever they wish.

p.2

What is being done well?

• Careful thought is given to providing healthy and nutritious food and meeting children's individual dietary requirements. • There is a very good range of quality resources which are well presented and used well to promote learning. • A bright and welcoming environment is created which is well organised for play. • A programme of worthwhile and interesting activities is provided. • Very good attention is given to health and hygiene with facilities being kept scrupulously clean.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the procedure to be followed in the event of a child becoming lost • the means of ensuring that minimum qualification requirements will be met • staff knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and the content of the child protection policy

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 extend the policy for uncollected children to include the procedure to be followed in the event of a child becoming lost 2 develop an action plan that sets out how staff training and qualification requirements will be met 13 develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and ensure that the policy contains the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff or volunteer

p.4

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

p.4

How effective is the nursery education?

Stokenham Pre-school Centre offers generally good quality nursery education where children enjoy learning through a wide range of interesting activities. Children's progress in personal, social and emotional development, communication, language and literacy, knowledge and understanding of the world and physical development is very good. Children are confident, well behaved and show independence. Teaching is generally good. The key strengths are due to the staff working as a consistent and sensitive team. Staff's generally sound knowledge of the Foundation Stage enables them to plan an interesting and appropriate range of practical activities although a lack of detail in the short term planning means that all staff may not have sufficient information to support their practice. The nursery has no children attending who have special educational needs or English as an additional language but there is a system in place which is likely to provide satisfactory support. The

p.5

How effective is the nursery education?

assessment of children's learning is regularly done but these assessments are not effectively used to inform planning. This means there is no secure system in place to ensure that children are enabled to progress at an appropriate pace and receive sufficient support and challenge in their learning. The setting has a good range of equipment to cover all areas of learning and these are used well to promote learning. Leadership and management are generally good. The staff are supported in their professional development. The quality of provision is monitored informally but the setting is committed to improvement and the attendance at Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership meetings is encouraged. There is a generally good partnership with parents. A helpful prospectus is provided and they are informed of forthcoming themes and events. Regular communication is welcomed but parents’ involvement in the assessment process is limited.

p.5

What is being done well?

• Children are happy, settle quickly to play, are well behaved, polite and confident. • Communication, language and literacy is given good emphasis. Children are confident at making marks and writing whenever they wish and enjoy lively conversations. • Knowledge and understanding of the world is very well supported. Extremely good use is made of appropriate technology and children are enabled to think about why things happen and how things work. • Children's physical development is well presented and they have many opportunities to develop their muscles and their awareness of space.

p.5

What is being done well?

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

p.5

What needs to be improved?

• assessments, to ensure they are used effectively to plan the next steps for children's individual progress • planning, to ensure it gives appropriate emphasis to all the early learning goals and prepares all staff for the activities to be supported • opportunities for parents to be involved in the assessment process and to discover how their children are progressing.

p.6

What has improved since the last inspection?

The group have made generally good progress with the action plan arising from the previous inspection and this has had a positive impact on the provision. The information for parents and the assessment format used has been updated and now reflects the early learning goals. However, there are weaknesses in the effective use of these assessments and parent's access to them.

p.6

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

p.6

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children enter the setting happily and settle quickly to play. They are polite, well behaved and confident and are personally independent, being able to take themselves to the toilet and change themselves for PE. They change their clothes very confidently and take great pride in this achievement. Children are sensitive towards each other and are eager to help their playmates. They learn about a variety of cultures and show a good awareness of the need to treat others with respect.

p.7

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good There are many opportunities for lively and vocabulary enriching discussion and staff help children to understand and explore the meaning of new words. Consistent emphasis is given to the sounds that letters make and very good opportunities are provided for children to make marks and write whenever they wish. Clear examples of their names are readily available for them to copy, for example when naming their paintings. Children use and enjoy books and listen carefully to well presented stories.

p.7

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Good use is made of everyday activities to consolidate children's mathematical understanding. They are encouraged to order and sort and are very confident at counting and adding groups of objects together and taking them away. This helps them to develop an understanding of quantity. However there is a lack of focus on progression and there are insufficient opportunities for the children to recognise numerals as well as the quantity they represent.

p.7

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Good use is made of an extensive range of appropriate technology to support learning. Children are enabled to work out why things happen and how things work, for example carefully observing and predicting the effects of water on sand and thoughtfully investigating the effect of cogs and developing and extending the activity, joining more, to create an extensive, turning, structure. Good use is made of the local environment to widen children's awareness of the world about them.

p.7

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

p.7

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children show skill and determination as they master the use of tools such as scissors and construction games. They enjoy pummelling and rolling satisfyingly large amounts of dough. They develop their large muscles effectively by climbing and balancing and by enjoying well organised movement to music sessions. They are sensitively enabled to understand the changes that happen to their bodies when they are active and generally appreciate the importance of staying healthy.

p.8

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children enjoy applying paint and describe the colour, appearance and feel of the paint. They describe the smell and texture of, for example, the fruit and vegetables used in a printing activity. They enjoy dancing along to familiar music and sing along confidently when the song is well known. They recognise the repeated rhythm and keep good time to the music. The emphasis on a predetermined outcome occasionally hinders children's opportunities to be freely creative in their craft work.

p.8

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

p.8

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.

p.9

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• ensure that assessments are used effectively to plan the next steps for children's individual progress • ensure that planning is helpful, informative and gives appropriate emphasis to all the early learning goals • develop improved opportunities for parents to be involved in the assessment process and to discover how their children are progressing.

p.9

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.

p.9

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

p.9

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

p.10

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.11

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.

p.11

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.

p.11

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.

p.11

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

p.11