Our Lady of Pity Catholic Primary and Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/06/2004 Inspector Name Gabrielle Pollock

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St James' Playgroup Setting Address 171 Fortis Green Road Muswell Hill London N10 3BG

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St. James Playgroup

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St. James Playgroup Address 171 Fortis Green Road London N10 3BG

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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 James' Playgroup is a voluntary, management committee led sessional day care provision and has been in operation since 1967. It is situated on Fortis Green Road, in the Muswell Hill area, within easy walking distance of local shops and the 134, 43, 102, W7 and 144 bus terminals. It operates from church facilities, also known as Birchwood Centre and has access to a hall and adult toilet area on the ground floor. A second play room with kitchenette/office area within and a children's toilet area are on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area. The group serves the local community. There are currently 42 children from 2 to under 5 year olds on the roll. This includes 33 funded three-year-olds and 2 funded four-year-olds. Children attend a variety of sessions. The group also supports children with special needs and five children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five mornings a week and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

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Information about the setting

afternoons, term time only. Sessions are from 09:15 to 11:45 and 12:45 to 15:15. One full time and four part time members of staff work directly with the children, all of whom hold early years qualifications. The group receive support from the Early Years Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

St James' Playgroup offers good quality care for children. Staff are qualified, experienced and work well as a team. They regularly attend training to update their knowledge and evaluate their practices. Systems for vetting staff need updating. The group offer a well-resourced, well-organised environment with clear, consistent routines that help children feel secure, confident and settled. Records are maintained well and organised confidentially, with only minor revision required in relation to the complaints and child protection procedures. Good hygiene practices are followed by staff and encouraged in children and clear

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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 procedures are in place should a child become ill. The premises are safe and attention is given to children's awareness of potential dangers. Staff have a very good understanding of how to implement equal opportunities in practice and develop children's awareness of diversity. Children with special needs are well supported within a positive inclusive environment. Positive, effective methods of managing children's behaviour are implemented by staff and children respond well to staff guidance. A broad range of age appropriate play materials and stimulating activities are available both indoors and outdoors. Effective planning and organisation of resources ensures that children's learning is promoted in all areas and that children

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How good is the Day Care?

are provided with opportunities that encourage them to explore and investigate their environment. Play materials are of good quality, accessible and include resources that promote equality of opportunity. Staff build positive professional relationships with parents and promote an active inclusive ethos. They work together to identify children's individual needs in order to provide appropriate, consistent care.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The playgroup review their practices regularly in order to improve standards.

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What is being done well?

• Staff work well as a team and regularly attend training to update their knowledge of good childcare practices. They work hard to create a stimulating, learning and nurturing environment. They have good relationships with children and take caring steps to encourage children to be settled and confident. • A wide range of interesting activities and resources are offered to children which promote their learning. Staff provide opportunities for children to explore and investigate and get the most from the activities provided both indoors and outdoors. Staff take time to play, talk and listen to children resulting in children being good learners. • Staff work closely with parents to ensure children's needs are known and take effective action to create an inclusive environment where all children are valued and their needs met. • The management of behaviour policy is understood by staff and parents and implemented well in practice.

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What is being done well?

• Staff and parents work together to ensure consistency in the children's care. There is a regular exchange of information on all playgroup issues, children's activities and development.

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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 • the notification of significant changes to Ofsted and the systems to ensure the suitability of staff • the maintenance and written detail of the complaints procedure and procedure to follow should allegations be made against a staff member

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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 1 Notify Ofsted of any changes, in any persons working on the premises and management committee members and ensure all submit to vetting procedure including criminal record bureau checks at the earliest opportunity. 14 Revise and update the; complaints procedure to include details of the regulating body; child protection procedure to include the procedure to follow should allegations be 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?

The provision for nursery education at St James Playgroup is of high quality. It enables children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals in all of the six areas of learning. There are good systems in place for planning, which are used well to check and record children's attainment and progress. The quality of the teaching is very good. The staff have a clear knowledge of the foundation stage and their effective planning of an interesting and appropriate range of practical activities help children to learn. Staff have a good understanding of children's individual needs and they encourage children to be confident and independent. Management of behaviour is good and children are developing a good understanding of right and wrong. There are opportunities for children to initiate their play and to be taught individually or in small groups. There is a good range of equipment which staff use well to support children's progress in all areas of learning.

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How effective is the nursery education?

Resources and activities are well-managed and organised to challenge children and to allow them to choose freely. Leadership and management is very good. The nursery benefits from the strong leadership of the manager, who is effective in promoting staff development and training. Staff are committed to their development and evaluate and review the effectiveness of their practice. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are given good quality written information about the setting, activities and routine. There are good informal systems in place to share information with parents about their children. There are no formal systems in place for providing parents with information on children's attainment and progress.

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What is being done well?

• Management and leadership • Staff understanding of the early learning goals and organisation of resources and activities to help children to progress in the six areas of learning • Staff management of behaviour, which enables children to have a good understanding of right and wrong • Staff have good relationships with children and parents

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What needs to be improved?

• formalisation of the procedure for sharing information with parents about their children's attainment and progress.

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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

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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's confidence and self-esteem is promoted well by staff and there is a strong emphasis placed on encouraging children's independence. Children are motivated to learn and have good opportunities to choose from a wide range of activities and resources. Children have good relationships, they take turns and co-operate well. They are learning to understand right and wrong and respond positively to intervention by staff. They concentrate well and complete tasks.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident speakers and communicate well with their peers and staff. They are given good opportunities to recognise sounds and to link letters to words. Children enjoy story sessions and participating in re-telling stories. They have good access to books and enjoy reading independently. Children are developing good writing skills through a range of practical activities.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children can count confidently up to 10 are able to recognise numbers. Children are interested and enjoy solving mathematical problems i.e. count money and give change in farmer's market activity. They have good opportunities to develop their understanding of addition and subtraction by comparing numbers and through questioning by staff. They are developing a good understanding of weight and size.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children have good opportunities to explore and investigate. They are developing a good understanding of their environment by learning about the natural world. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of a wide range of cultures and have access to a variety of resources. They have good opportunities to construct and build through a range of activities. They are encouraged to learn about and use everyday technology and used the computer confidently.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are given good opportunities to develop their whole body movement through a wide range of resources. They run, jump, peddle, climb and balance during outdoor play sessions. They move about confidently and safely and take the needs of others into account. Children used a variety of tools and equipment well. They are encouraged to develop an understanding of the importance of staying healthy.

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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 have good opportunities to explore colour, shapes and texture, they can identify a range of colours and shapes and they persisted in complete puzzles. They enjoy singing a wide range of familiar songs and rhymes and were excited about playing musical instruments. Children enjoy role playing and talking to their peers and adults about their experiences.

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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 high quality. Children are making very 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

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • point for consideration, • improve the system for informing parents of their children's attainment and progress.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

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

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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