Lawns Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 01/02/2005 Inspector Name Deborah Ann Benn

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Lawns Playgroup Setting Address Havering Road Moray Way Romford Essex RM1 4YD

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The partnership of Mrs Linda Hayter and Mrs Jacqueline West

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Mrs Linda Hayter and Mrs Jacqueline West Address 35 Northumberland Avenue Hornchurch Essex RM11 2HJ

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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

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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. 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.

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Information about the setting

Lawns Playgroup is a privately owned pre-school playgroup owned and managed by Linda Hayter and Jackie West. It opened in 2003 and operates from the premises of Havering Road Methodist Church situated in a residential area of Rise Park, Collier Row. A maximum of 26 children may attend the playgroup at any one time. The playgroup is open each weekday from 09:15 to 11:45 and Wednesday and Thursday 12:15 to 14:45. Children attend for a variety of sessions. All children share access to a secure outdoor play area when temporary fencing is in position. There are currently 46 children aged from 2 to under 5 years on roll. Of these 31 children receive funding for nursery education. The playgroup serves the local area. The group currently supports a number of children with special educational needs, and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The playgroup employs nine staff, six of whom, including the managers hold

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Information about the setting

appropriate early years qualifications to National Vocational Level 2 or 3. One member of staff is currently working towards a qualification.

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How good is the Day Care?

Lawns Playgroup provides good quality care for children. The premises are bright and welcoming with attractive and informative displays. There is ample room for children to play, with good use being made of the space available. Although play equipment is of very good quality and storage is well organised, it is not always fully utilised to support children's play and encourage them to make choices or provide sufficient challenge to older children. Although all required documentation is in place and maintained on a daily basis, some lacks detail. The providers are clear on their responsibility to ensure that Ofsted is kept informed of staff changes and appropriate checks carried out. There is a high standard of hygiene and safety throughout the premises and within the practices of the provision. Good systems are in place to ensure that these are maintained. The whole staff team have a clear understanding of their responsibility

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How good is the Day Care?

to protect children and knowledge of the appropriate procedures to be followed if a child protection referral were necessary. The organisation of snack time encourages socialisation and fully takes into account children's individual dietary needs as well

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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 as promoting healthy eating. Children have access to a varied range of age appropriate toys and activities. Although some are very adult directed, children have daily access to free choice activities and use their imagination in art and role play. Staff manage children's behaviour effectively and act as good role models. Children with special needs are well supported and actively encouraged to take part in the whole session. Parents are very happy with the care and activities and are provided with good quality information about the setting. An effective key worker system is in place and parents are kept well informed of their child's development and encouraged to be actively involved in their learning and care.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This is the first inspection since registration.

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What is being done well?

• All staff form warm, positive relationships with the children and their families. The effective key worker system ensures that staff know the children well and parents are kept fully informed. • High priority is given to health and safety issues. Risk assessments, daily safety checks and a high adult:child ratio ensure that children are well supervised and a safe environment maintained. Children are encouraged to wash their hands regularly and resources support this well. Very good arrangements and routines are in place to ensure the safety of children at arrival and collection. • Staff have a positive attitude to the inclusion of children with special needs. They undertake additional training and work together with parents and other relevant parties to organise the environment and plan activities to ensure children can take a full part; such as introducing the use of symbols for all children to choose songs so that a child with limited speech has the same

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What is being done well?

opportunity to make their choice known. • Staff actively promote positive behaviour through the use of specific praise such as responding to a child who offered a toy to another by thanking them for being kind and affirming

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What needs to be improved?

• resourcing of activities • administration details regarding accident recording and the complaints procedure

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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

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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 5 Ensure that activities are fully resourced and organised to provide sufficient challenge for older and more able children and greater opportunity for self selection. 14 Ensure the complaints procedure includes how to contact Ofsted as the regulator and the accident book clearly details the nature of any injury sustained.

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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

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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 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

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