Saxon Green PlaygroupOfsted inspection, 23 Sept 2003

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 23/09/2003 Inspector Name Sara Bailey

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Saxon Green Playgroup Setting Address St Francis Church Hall Saxon Green Bridgwater Somerset TA6 4JA

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Saxon Green Playgroup Committee

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Saxon Green Playgroup Committee Address Saxon Green Playgroup St. Francis Church Hall Saxon Green Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4JA

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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

Saxon Green Playgroup was established over 30 years ago and is registered for 26 children between two and five years accepting children from 2.6 years. It operates from St. Francis Church Hall in Sydneham, Bridgwater, Somerset. There is one main hall with an adjoining smaller room used for supervised activities. Access to the church is restricted with internal doors kept locked. The playgroup attend a church service once a month. There is a kitchen, toilets, walk in store cupboard and an enclosed outdoor play area. The playgroup serves the local area. There are currently 33 children on the register all of whom are funded three year olds. The group support children with Special Needs but no children currently attend with English as an additional language. The group opens five days per week during school term times only. Sessions are from 9.15am to 11.45am and from 12.45pm to 2.45pm as required. Four staff work at every session with the children all have over 14 years experience

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Information about the setting

working in the group. Two staff are due to commence their NVQ 3 training this year. The group are supported by the EYDCP.

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How good is the Day Care?

Saxon Green Playgroup provides satisfactory care for children. The staff team have been established for many years working well together, two of the four are due to commence level 3 training. They have worked hard to improve the documentation and record keeping of the group, with just a few documents still outstanding. The sessions and supporting records are well organised with high staff ratios. The rooms are well laid out with easy access to a wide range of activities. The children are safe and well cared for although due to restrictions of the premises hand washing and changing facilities need to be improved and an ongoing risk assessment is needed. The outside play area is fully enclosed although not currently secure. Healthy eating is not promoted and drinks are not readily available but snack time is

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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 a lovely social occasion. Equal opportunities is positively promoted through good resources and staff are beginning to operate a key worker system to monitor children's development to ensure their individual needs will be met with future activities and opportunities. Staff have a satisfactory knowledge of child protection. There is a stimulating range of activities which help children make progress in all areas of their development. Staff interact well with the children and offer much praise and encouragement resulting in a happy group of children. Due to the good levels of supervision individual needs can be met with extra support for those children who require it. Parents receive information about the setting through a prospectus and with the use of a notice board. Parents are not encouraged to stay with their children at sessions

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How good is the Day Care?

but are welcomed on arrival and collection by staff with an exchange of information. Children's development records have been implemented which will be shared with parents in the future.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, six actions were raised in relation to documentation and record keeping. All have been satisfactorily addressed within the time limit set.

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What is being done well?

• Staff ratios are high which results in all areas of the room being well supervised and children's play being enhanced. • Children are praised and encouraged which results in happy, involved children. • Resources are well laid out to provide a stimulating environment.

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What needs to be improved?

• documentation needs to provide evidence of staff details including CRB checks and procedures for lost children; • changing facilities are required to ensure equal opportunities are promoted; • risk assessments need to be completed regularly to identify and minimise hazards which include electrical sockets, broken fixtures and perimeter gates; • hand washing facilities should improve to prevent the spread of infection; • drinks need to be readily available and healthy eating needs to be promoted; • behaviour management strategies; • partnership with parents encouraged in a variety of ways.

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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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 2 Devise a procedure for lost children and ensure details of staff are kept on the premises 07/10/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 6 conduct a regular risk assessment on the premises identifying action to be taken to minimize identified risk of electrical sockets, loose fixtures and perimeter gates 7 ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing and ensure changing facilities are available 11 develop staff's awareness and understanding of effective ways to manage children's behaviour

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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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