Beaverwood School for Girls

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 01/07/2003 Inspector Name Miriam Sheila Brown

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St Matthews Playgroup Setting Address Church Hall Church Road,Cainscross,Stroud Glos GL5 4LH

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St Matthews Playgroup

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St Matthews Playgroup Address Church Hall Church Road,Cainscross,Stroud Glos GL5 4LH

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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

St Matthews Playgroup operates from St Matthews Church hall, which is to the west of Stroud town centre and close to St Matthews Primary School. The group is managed by a committee of parents. They offer sessional day care to 26 children aged two-years-nine months to five years. They currently support 16 three- and 15 four-year-olds who are in receipt of funding. Pre-school sessions run Tuesday and Wednesday in the morning from 09.15 to 11.45 and Friday afternoons from 12.45 until 15.15. Sessions for rising three-year-olds are offered on Monday and Thursday mornings from 09.15 to 11.45. The group use the main hall, entrance hall, kitchen and toilets. They do not have an outside play area, but have a small garden patch for planting. Victory Park playing fields are close by and the staff regularly take the children here for outside play. The children are cared for by childcare trained staff, who are supported by duty

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Information about the setting

parents. Staff are experienced in caring for children with special needs and do not currently have any children for whom English is an additional language. Support in the delivery of the foundation stage curriculum is obtained from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, Foundation Stage Consultants.

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How good is the Day Care?

St Matthews Playgroup provides good quality care for children. The staff team are well qualified and experienced and committed to further training. The hall is clean, bright and well organised to offer separate free-play and structured activity areas. There is an inviting book area which is well used by the children. The group have a very good range of multi-cultural toys and resources that are enjoyed by the children on a daily basis. Policies and procedures are shared with parents and are generally good although the child protection procedure requires some further detail. Staff have a good awareness of safety issues both inside and outside. They check outside play areas before use by the children and parents support the group on

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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 outings. Fire drills are carried out regularly. All staff have first aid training and keep this updated and the accident book is well kept. Children are offered a good and varied selection of foods at snack time, although staff do not sit with them or allow them to pour their own drinks. The group have experience in caring for children with special needs and support them well, in conjunction with parents and health professionals. Children enjoy a wide range of activities and enjoy exploring using microscopes and magnifying glasses. The group organise an exciting programme of visits to places such as the local postal sorting office and car wash. Staff use many open-ended questions to develop the children's thinking but miss some opportunities to develop

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How good is the Day Care?

their mark making and writing in free-play. Chances for them to practise their counting are limited. Children's behaviour is very good and staff have a clear and consistent approach to all aspects of behaviour management. Parents are encouraged to take an active part in the group by joining the parent rota and by providing items for the interest tables. The group provide good information for parents and staff are available to talk with them daily.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Actions from the last inspection were to produce a procedure to be followed if a child is lost or not collected, seek permission for emergency medical treatment, cover electrical sockets, improve the security of the premises and to include details of procedures to follow if there are allegations of abuse against staff. All of these have been successfully addressed except for the child protection policy which still requires details of procedures to be followed if there is an allegation against a member of staff. Parents now have more information about how the group will deal with uncollected or lost children and can feel more secure knowing how their children will be cared for in an emergency situation. Children are now safer as premises are more secure.

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What is being done well?

• The staff team are experienced and well qualified. The new deputy will be taking extra training in line with regulations to enable her to take sole charge when necessary. • Free play and structured activity areas are well organised to enable children the most freedom of choice. • There is a good range of toys and equipment, including those reflecting equal opportunities and diversity. • Staff address all aspects of children's safety well, keeping the premises secure and addressing safety issues outside of the building. All staff have first aid training. • The support for children with special educational needs is very good.

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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 • Children's behaviour is very good and staff manage behaviour consistently and fairly.

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What needs to be improved?

• opportunities for children to build on their writing and number skills in free-play activities. • opportunities for children to be more independent at snack times and to develop social skills. • the child protection policy to include procedures to be followed if there is an allegation of abuse made against a member of staff.

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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 provide more opportunities for children to make marks and write in free play and to use their number skills throughout each session. 13 ensure that child protection policy includes written procedures for allegations of abuse made against a member of staff or volunteer.

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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?

St Matthews Playgroup helps the children to make generally good progress towards the early learning goals. Personal, Social and Emotional development, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Physical and Creative development are very good areas. The other areas of learning are generally good. The teaching of children is generally good. Staff provide an interesting range of activities which are set out before the children arrive for each session. Staff make good use of open-ended questions to develop children's thinking in topic work. They adjust questioning in small group work to encourage all children to take an active part and use 'props' at story time to help engage all of the children. The programme for communication, language and literacy offers children few opportunities to read words on everyday objects. Writing is practised with staff but children are not encouraged to use their writing skills by naming own work and have few

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How effective is the nursery education?

opportunities to write or make marks in free play areas. Mathematical development is generally good but opportunities to count at snack and circle times are missed. Staff arrange a very good programme of visits which develop children's understanding of the world around them and increases their awareness of everyday technology. Planned activities do not include extensions for more able children or reflect assessments of children's progress. Staff management of children's behaviour is very good. Leadership and management of the group is generally good. The key committee members receive training to assist them in their role and they support the group well. All areas for consideration from the last inspection have been met. The group receive support from the local primary school and church. The partnership with parents is generally good and parents are encouraged to take an interest in group activities. They support the group through a parent's rota

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How effective is the nursery education?

system. Staff are available to speak with parents daily.

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What is being done well?

• All children separate confidently from parents and play well together. They are starting to make positive relationships with each other. • Children respond well to simple instructions and are starting to use language well to talk about recent events. • Children have many very good opportunities to increase their awareness of everyday technologies. • Children enjoy using their imaginations in role-play areas, free play and music and movement. • Staff management of children and behaviour is very good and they act as

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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 good role models for the children.

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What needs to be improved?

• Children's opportunities to read names and labels in everyday situations and to make marks and write informally through play. • Opportunities for children to count throughout each session. • Staff assessment of where children are in their learning so that they can help them move to the next stage.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The group have made very good progress since the last inspection and have addressed the three points for consideration, which were to: continue to increase the resources and awareness of other cultures and traditions so that this area continues to develop. continue to consider ways of increasing children's interest in the book corner. continue to identify resources which would increase children's opportunities to explore technology. All three areas have been well addressed. The group have invested in a large selection of ethnic dressing-up clothes and small-world toys, including resources for role-play areas. The book corner is now a comfortable and inviting area with a colourful backdrop, carpet and floor cushions. Books are regularly rotated from a larger bookcase and the area is now well used . The group have invested in microscopes and magnifying glasses and the programme of visits extended to include trips to the car wash and postal sorting office. The computer is soon to be

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What has improved since the last inspection?

replaced through extra funding from the committee. All of these areas now provide the children with very good learning experiences and have assisted in extending their learning by providing them with another dimension to each of the areas addressed.

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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: Very Good Children separate confidently from parents and are starting to make positive relationships with each other. They enjoyed the recent trip to the seaside and expressed a real sense of wonder listening to the sound of the sea in shells. Children's behaviour is very good and they listen and respond to instructions well and enjoy 'tidying-up' after activities. Children have a growing awareness of different cultures and beliefs which is supported by a wide range of resources.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children use language well to talk about recent events and are supported by the staff asking open-ended questions to develop their thinking. Opportunities for children to make marks and write as they play are limited as are chances for them to read signs and labels in everyday situations. Books are well used for reference and stories are delightfully presented by staff using 'props' at storytime. Children are starting to negotiate in their play with others.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children have good opportunities to use numbers in structured activities and are learning to record their findings. Children have a good awareness of shape, using this in their art and topic work. They enjoy playing matching games with staff and working with sets. Some opportunities for children to count in everyday situations, such as at snack and circle time, are missed. All children recognise numbers to five and some to ten.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children have many exciting opportunities to explore and investigate a wide range of materials such as gloop, jelly and wood shavings. They enjoy local walks to the park and have a good awareness of the local community. Children are growing in their awareness of everyday technology through well-planned activities and visits to the sorting office and car wash. The interest table offers them many good opportunities to look more closely at topic work.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move to music in a controlled and co-ordinated way and are confident in their use of large apparatus. Children enjoy a varied range of snacks, some of which they prepare. Good group routines assist them in their awareness of basic hygiene. Children use a good range of equipment such as hand tools, pencils and glue-sticks to develop their large and small physical skills. Staff encourage children to be independent in their personal care.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

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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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children explore using all of their senses and have many good opportunities to use their imaginations in role play and free play. They investigate different textures such as sand, stone and dough. Children enjoy listening to a range of music throughout the sessions and in structured music-and-movement activities. They have made their own musical instruments and have opportunities to play more formal instruments.

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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

• develop written assessments and observations of children to enable staff to pinpont where children are in their learning so that they can help them move to the next stage. • create more opportunities for children to read names and labels in everyday situations and to make marks or write in play situations. • ensure children have regular opportunities to use their counting skills in everyday situations such as snack and circle times.

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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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