John O'Gaunt School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 26/01/2004 Inspector Name Michelle Ann Parham

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Acorn Preschool Setting Address Holy Road Church Centre Gosport Road Fareham Hampshire PO14 3RL

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

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. 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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Acorn Pre-school is situated in Holy Rood church hall, which is located in Stubbington, Fareham, an urban area of Hampshire. Children who attend the group come from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds. The accommodation consists of a bright hall, and two separate rooms. The group have access to a fully enclosed outdoor play area. The preschool is a community group working under the umbrella of the church. It is currently funded to offer free places to three and four year olds and is a member of The Pre-school Learning Alliance. There are currently nine members of staff in the team. The group is open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 12 noon and 12:30pm to 3:00pm for 39 weeks a year, term time only. There are thirty four children on the register, none of these children have been identified as having special needs or English as an additional language.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Acorn Preschool offers good quality care for children. Staff have a good level of awareness of risks to children and most areas for ensuring their health and well being are met. They give high priority to monitoring a secure premises and the safety of children. Currently only two staff members have childcare qualifications. Staff recognise children as individuals and meet their differing needs well. They manage behaviour effectively and the quality of interaction is good and enhances all aspects of children's development. The children enjoy attending, are happy, settled and relate well to the staff and each other. They are interested and fully involved in activities, keen to communicate and to find things out for themselves. Staff organise the premises well and have most written procedures in place to ensure it is maintained and suitable for use. The play resources are extensive and staff provide a stimulating environment.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

There is appropriate partnership with parents and carers. The relationships are trusting, open and friendly. Parents are listened to, informed about the provision and have opportunity to share information about their child. All relevant paperwork is maintained.

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

p.2

What has improved since the last inspection?

No areas were identified for improvement at the last inspection.

p.3

What is being done well?

• The staff interact well with the children. They organise and plan activities to extend all areas of learning. The children are given the opportunity to participate in an extensive range of activities designed to meet their individual needs. The staff know the children well and spend time listening and talking to them. The children are occupied and interested throughout the session. • The group has a range of good quality play resources and equipment that meets the needs of children. The resources are stimulating, varied and well maintained and help the children develop and extend their learning in all areas. • The group has effective procedures in place to identify risks and promote safety and security, all appropriate precautions are taken to prevent accidents and injury to children and staff. • The staff have a consistent and relaxed approach to behaviour management. They use positive techniques such as distraction, discussion, occasional time

p.3

What is being done well?

out, praising and encouraging the children which encourages them to learn right from wrong and about acceptable behaviour. • The staff have good relationships with the parents and work closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are addressed. Information is shared and updated regularly and staff have effective systems in place to ensure parents are fully aware of the policies and procedures of the preschool. Parents are happy with the care and service their children receive.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the level of qualified staff • the induction process • the effective handling of Child protection concerns.

p.3

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

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.4

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Develop an action plan to outline how the group will meet the minimum qualification requirements for staff. 2 Develop a comprehensive induction programme. 13 Ensure child protection concerns are dealt with effectively.

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

p.4

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

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

p.5

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.5

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.5

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.5

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.5

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.5

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.5

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.5

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

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

p.5

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

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

p.5

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.

p.5

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.6

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

p.6