Smallworld

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/07/2003 Inspector Name Sarah Elizabeth Howell

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Smallworld Setting Address Norley Road Sandiway Northwich Cheshire CW8 2JX

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

Smallworld Pre School is part of a chain of 3registered facilities in the Cheshire area. Mrs. Sharon Walton is registered to provide care at this site for a maximum of 26 children aged from two years six months to five. There are currently 30 funded three and four year olds on roll. The facility consists of an entrance hall, the main room, kitchen, girls, boys and a disabled toilet, a television/rest area, office and various store rooms. There is also an enclosed outside play area. There is a staff group of seven, of whom one will act as the supervisor with a manager who will be present some times in the week and contactable if needed at other times. Two staff hold an Early Years Qualification at level three and above, one staff member is due to complete NVQ 3 in Childcare in September 2003, and three other staff are enrolled on appropriate Early Years training courses which start in September 2003. The building is a mobile which is situated in the grounds of the local Primary School.

p.2

Information about the setting

Sessions run from Monday to Friday 9.15 to 11.45 and on Monday and Wednesday 12.30 to 14.30 during term time.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Smallworld Pre-school provides good care for children. The sessions are well planned and organised and children are aware of the routines and able to anticipate what is expected of them. There is a clear commitment to staff training and this is seen as part of an ongoing development issue for the group. Children have access to a wide range of age appropriate activities during each session. Staff are closely involved in supporting children's play and learning. The environment is warm and welcoming and very child friendly in it's design and lay out. Space is put to good use to provide a range of play experiences in any one session. Resources and equipment are wide ranging, of good quality and appropriate for the age of the children in attendance. Managers and staff demonstrate a good understanding of the safety needs of young

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 children. They are aware of children's individual needs and maintain individual developmental records for children using a key worker system. Staff work closely with parents and other organisations for example, health and social services to ensure that children's individual needs are appropriately catered for. Staff are developing their skills in the area of special needs. The group provides a range of useful written information for parents including; policies, plans of children's activities, newsletters, and end of term reports. Although the group does not operate a parent rota, they are invited to participate in other ways for example a parent who is also a farmer brought in some day-old chicks for the children to see and talk about when they were doing a topic on

p.2

What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection a condition was added to the group's certificate about ensuring that their was always a member of staff with first aid training in attendance. There are now a minimum of two first aiders in the staff group at any one time.

p.3

What is being done well?

• There is a strong commitment from managers and staff to training. Currently one member of staff is due to complete her NVQ level 3 in September, and three other colleagues are enrolled on courses leading to appropriate Early Years qualifications. Staff have regular appraisals which are documented, and used to identify ongoing training needs. • Provision for children's play is good. Materials and resources are wide-ranging and most things are stored so that children can easily see what is available and have some say in what they play with. Staff interaction with children is warm and encouraging, and staff respond positively to children's ideas and suggestions. Children enjoy and are interested in the resources available to them. Scrapbooks filled with photos of children's activities and projects give parents and other visitors information about the range of play experiences available to children who attend.

p.3

What is being done well?

• Safety is seen as important and the group's risk assessment is used in an ongoing process to identify where improvements could be made. Staff at pre-school are currently working alongside school staff to put together an action plan which identifies ways of improving the outside play area.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the range of children's work on display in the setting; • issues relating to disability and cultural diversity need to be more integrated in to the curriculum; • individual learning plans need to be kept up-to-date.

p.3

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

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 4 Display larger range of children’s work within the setting.( 12.6) 9 Consider ways of making Equal Opportunies a living part of the children’s curriculum. 10 Ensure Individual Learning Plans are up-to-date.

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