The Heywood School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 13/01/2005 Inspector Name Linda Patricia Coccia

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Westview Playgroup Setting Address Downsview Primary School Beech Avenue Swanley Kent BR8 8AU

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Westview Playgroup

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Westview Playgroup Address Downsview Primary School Beech Avenue Swanley Kent BR8 8AU

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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

Westview Playgroup opened in 1984 and operates from a classroom on a school premises. It is situated in the semi-rural area of Swanley, Kent. A maximum of 24 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 09.00 to 12.00 for 38 weeks of the year. All children have access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area which is shared with the school but used at different times to the school children. There are currently 30 children aged from 2 to under 5 years on roll. Of these 23 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a local residential catchment area. The nursery can support children with special educational needs. The nursery employs seven staff, four of them, including the managers, hold appropriate early years childcare qualifications.

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How good is the Day Care?

Westview Playgroup provides good quality care for children. The staff have very good interaction with the children who are happy and settled. The day care is well organised. The operational plan is well written and made available to parents. The group have effective procedures for the recruitment and vetting of staff. At least half of the staff hold childcare qualifications. An attendance record is well maintained but needs to include children's arrival and departure times. The premises, toys and equipment are clean and well maintained. Good use is made of space. The children are safe and well cared for. The premises are secure and appropriate safety equipment is in place. A risk assessment needs to be carried out on the premises and equipment. Not all the children are able to practise the emergency evacuation procedures. The group's accident records are well maintained and are confidential. Children are provided with drinks and snacks which are healthy and

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How good is the Day Care?

nutritious but more choice could be offered. The group has child protection procedures which are in accordance with their local authority guidelines. Currently there are no children with special needs attending. The group provides a very good selection of toys and activities which help children

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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 progress in all areas of development. Children are able to make choices about the toys they play with and they are supported and encouraged by staff. Children are all treated as individuals. There are plenty of positive images of equality of opportunity for race, culture and gender displayed, however the group could provide more images of disability. The staff use appropriate behaviour management strategies which include rewarding children for good behaviour. The group has plenty of evidence of positive feedback from parents. Parents are given lots of written information about the group and are able to access their child's development records whenever they want. Records are available for inspection.

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What is being done well?

• The staff have very good relationships with the children. They enjoy their company and know them well. They spend a lot of time talking and playing with children and helping them to learn. The children are very happy and settled. • The range and variety of activities provided allow children choice. Children can do quiet or physical activities dependant on their mood. They are also able to access different mediums to extend their play, e.g. different mark making equipment. Children become more independent. • The group meets the individual needs of all children. Individual achievements are acknowledged to the whole group of children and can be rewarded by stickers. Children become very confident. • The staff use positive and consistent strategies to manage children's behaviour. Strategies are planned to ensure individual children's needs are met. The children are well behaved and co-operative with staff.

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What is being done well?

• The group have effective procedures for sharing children's progress records with parents. Parent's can access the records whenever they want. The group also provides parents with opportunities to discuss their child's progress with staff. Children receive consistent care.

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What needs to be improved?

• the recording of children's arrival and departure times in the attendance record • the range of toys promoting positive images of disability • the opportunity for children to practise emergency evacuation procedures • a current risk assessment for the premises and equipment • the choices of food and drink offered to children at snack time

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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 • the written emergency medical treatment permissions from parents.

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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 5 Assess current toys and activities for positive images of disability and improve the range if necessary. 6 Ensure all children have the opportunity to practise an emergency evacuation drill.

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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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