St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/06/2004 Inspector Name Patricia Joan Latham

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Lovat Hall Playgroup Setting Address Silver Street Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire MK16 9DN

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Lovat Hall Playgroup

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Lovat Hall Playgroup Address 21 Annesley Road Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire MK16 0BD

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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

Lovat Hall Playgroup has been registered since 1974 and runs in a room attached to a church hall close to the of town of Newport Pagnell. It is close to local shops, schools and other playgroups and children attend from the locality and surrounding areas. The group is open Monday to Friday, term time only, from 09:20 until 11:50 and on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 12:20 until 14:50. There is an additional session on a Wednesday afternoon from 12.10 until 14.40 for children who are four plus years. There are currently 32 children from two to five years on roll. Of these, 18 three-year-olds and 4 four-year-olds receive funding for nursery education. The group is able to support children who have special needs or those who speak English as an additional language. The playgroup is managed by a parents committee. They employ six members of staff who have, or are working towards, relevant qualifications, plus a part time

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Information about the setting

administration assistant. The playgroup has the support of the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) and are working towards accreditation with the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

Lovat Hall Playgroup provides good quality day care. Staff follow a well established routine and plan the daily activities well in advance. The premises are well maintained and good use is made of space available. The resources provided cover all areas of play and are used imaginatively. Staff supervise children well both indoors and out and all safety requirements are met. A healthy environment is maintained, with children are encouraged to follow hygienic practices. Regular snacks are provided and any dietary requirements followed. Children's welfare is safeguarded and staff follow a clear procedure for

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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 dealing with any concerns. Activities provided cover all areas of learning and all children are eager to take part. Staff support those with individual needs and ensure that all children are included in activities. Children's behaviour is managed well and children are beginning to learn good codes of conduct. A non-discriminatory environment is promoted and children are expected to treat others with respect. A good partnership is formed with parents and they are able to discuss children's progress with staff on a regular basis. Most documentation is maintained correctly and the majority of recordings shared with parents. Records are stored securely and confidentiality is maintained.

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What is being done well?

• Activities provided are linked into interesting themes and children have fun as they learn. They visit local places on a regular basis. For example, they visit the local library and go into the town to find different ways of crossing the road when doing road safety. • Resources are used imaginatively to make the most of the limited space. Staff adapt the climbing frame into a fire engine or bus to provide another venue for children's creative play and rotate resources regularly to provide them with variety. • Children's safety is maintained at all times. They are frequently reminded about safe practise when using equipment and when visiting the outside play area and are escorted well on their outings. • Children's welfare is promoted well and staff have a clear understanding of child protection issues gathered through training undertaken. There is a clear procedure for referring any concerns that may arise and issues are discussed

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What is being done well?

with parents to safeguard children's interests. • Parents are kept well informed about children's progress and there are regular newsletters sent regarding forthcoming activities. Staff are always available if parents wish to discuss any issue which maintains consistency of care for children.

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What needs to be improved?

• record of visitors to the group to be maintained at all times • complaints procedure for parents to follow so that it is more easily available and includes contact details for Ofsted • the system for recording of medicine administered, and any incidents

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 involving children attending, to be shared with 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 2 Maintain a log of visitors to the playgroup. 12 Ensure parents have full information, easily available, of the complaints procedure.

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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?

Lovat Hall Playgroup provides good quality nursery education overall, which enables children to make generally good progress towards the early learning goals. They make very good progress in personal, social and emotional development, knowledge and understanding of the world, physical and creative development. Quality of teaching is generally good and staff are knowledgeable about early learning goals. Activities cover all areas of learning, although there are few planned for some aspects of literacy and mathematics to challenge the more able child. Activities are linked into interesting themes and staff question children effectively. They support children with special educational needs and emphasise language throughout all activities. Staff manage behaviour well, adopting strategies for differing abilities. Imaginative use of resources provides more learning opportunities, but time throughout the session is not always used effectively. Staff make and

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How effective is the nursery education?

record observations of children, but do not link these into the stepping stones systematically to enable progress to be easily identified. Leadership and management are generally good. Staff meet regularly, plan in advance and have clear roles and responsibilities. They attend training to extend knowledge and set learning intentions for focused activities. There is an assessment procedure in place but it is not carried out consistently; there are no firm procedures for evaluating the overall provision to ensure a balanced programme is offered, learning intentions are met or the provision is managed effectively. Partnership with parents is very good. Parents are kept informed of children's progress by speaking with staff and through access to written files. Regular newsletters and display of daily plans inform parents of activities undertaken and give them opportunities to take part in children's learning.

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What is being done well?

• Children are given many opportunities to learn about their local environment. They visit local shops and areas on a regular basis. As part of planned activities they explore local roads to find safe places to cross when doing road safety and they visit the laundrette and local bakers when discussing people who help us. • Resources are used imaginatively to provide more play opportunities and maximise the space available. Staff decorate the climbing frame, turning it into a bus or fire engine to provide an area for more creative play. • Children work well as a group, knowing how to walk safely outdoors and how to share the use of the trampoline. They listen attentively when others speak and negotiate roles when playing with the garage pretending to fix cars.

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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 • Planned activities enable children to develop physical skills. They have a range of equipment for outside play and go on regular walks. Children are encouraged to use small equipment, such as sewing needles and threading laces to develop hand/eye co ordination. •• Children use a wide range of creative material and resources to express their ideas and imagination. They use clay and junk materials to make models and experiment with string, bubbles and plastic when painting. They enjoy singing and access the musical instruments themselves when they want to make music during role play.

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What needs to be improved?

• opportunities for children to practise and develop skills in writing and the formation of letters • more focused practical activities to enable children to practise number calculation • observation recordings to link into relevant foundation stage stepping stones to enable children's progress and learning needs to be clearly identified • assessment of activities and the overall provision to enable an evaluation of the quality of teaching and the management of the programme offered.

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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 are eager to learn and concentrate when working independently and in a group. They persevere with tasks, building a large car from junk, and are confident about trying new experiences, developing their personal independence. They form good relationships, sharing resources, such as the bikes and trampoline. Children understand there needs to be rules and are learning to respect each other's views.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children have a good use of language and talk with confidence in group time using a wide vocabulary to express their ideas. They are able to recognise their names and are beginning to link the shape and sound of letters. Children enjoy using a range of books and can re-tell favourite stories. They have daily access to writing materials, but there are few planned opportunities for children to develop and practise writing skills.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are confident in counting and recognising number, shape and pattern. They are developing a broad mathematical language and have opportunities to sort and measure, playing picture dominoes and sorting socks when playing laundrettes. Children can recognise and name shapes and colour, but there are few practical activities planned for them to develop skills in number calculation.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children explore and investigate a wide range of things and learn out about their environment. They find out about canal locks and what happens when ice melts. They have a wide knowledge of their community and visit local shops and places of interest. They design and construct small and large objects with a variety of materials and use a range of technical equipment. They have a growing sense of time and place and are developing an understanding of their own and differing cultures.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have good control over their bodies and an understanding of space and objects around them. They steer bikes and bounce on the trampoline with confidence. They are able to use small and large equipment with control and safety. They tap a beat on a tambourine and use a needle and thread when making purses. They are gaining an understanding of how their bodies work and how to keep healthy by eating a good diet.

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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 use a wide range of materials and media to develop their imagination. They paint and do collage, sing and dance to music and become involved with role play. They explore their senses, smelling fresh ginger, tasting different flavoured milkshakes and listening to differing sounds. Children know, and enjoy repeating, favourite songs and rhymes and have regular use of musical 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

• extend present assessment and evaluation procedure to ensure a balanced programme of activities is offered in all areas, learning aims are achieved and the overall provision is managed effectively to maximise children's learning • provide more opportunities for children to develop and practise writing and letter formation and plan more practical activities to develop children's skills in number calculation • improve observation recordings linking them into the relevant stepping stones to enable progress and learning needs to be clearly identified.

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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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