The Oaks School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/11/2003 Inspector Name Virginia Cooper

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Staplehurst Under Fives Playgroup Setting Address The Village Centre High Street, Staplehurst Tonbridge Kent TN12 0BJ

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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; 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

Staplehurst Under Fives playgroup has been registered since 1966 and serves the local community. The group is situated centrally in the Village Centre and uses the South Hall, the Committee Room and has an outdoor play area. There are currently 33 children on roll; usually children are accepted at the age of two and a half. This includes 12 funded three-year-olds and five funded four-year-olds. Children attend a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a few children with special needs. There are not any children attending at present who speak English as an additional language. There are eight members of staff who work with children. Over half the staff have an early years qualification. Two members of staff are about to complete a course and another two are about to start working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare

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How good is the Day Care?

Staplehurst Under Fives Playgroup provides satisfactory care for children. The organisation of the group is well planned and works in practice. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities and continue to update their training and qualifications. The staff are safety conscious and all safety equipment is in place. The staff:child ratio is good, the group try to work on 1:5 or better which provides the children with many opportunities for individual attention. The children are settled and happy and they respond well to the staff. Much of the direct practice with children is good but some of the policies and procedures need reviewing.

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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 The activities are well planned and age appropriate, children are encouraged to learn through a variety of play experiences that cover all areas of development. There is the opportunity for free play and more adult-led play in small groups. This group work stimulates lots of conversations between the children and with staff. Parents are provided with lots of information about the provision and are welcome to visit at any time. They are provided with newsletters and there is a notice board. New parents are encouraged to visit the group with their children, to join the parent rota and become involved with the committee. Parents approach staff easily and discuss their children's progress. The staff record the children's development in

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How good is the Day Care?

detail and whilst this is shared with parents if they ask, some parents might not see their child's records until they are about to leave the group. The staff need to provide regular opportunities for all parents to see their children's development records.

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What is being done well?

• The group is well organised, both staff and children are aware of their roles and responsibilities. • The staff are safety conscious and all safety equipment is in place. • There is a good staff:child ratio that provides the children many opportunities for individual attention. • The parents are provided with lots of information about the group and are encouraged to visit at any time.

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What needs to be improved?

• the policies and procedures • the accident and medication records • the records of regular safety checks • the opportunities for all parents to view their children's development records regularly.

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Outcome of the 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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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 13 Review and update the Child Protection policy to include procedures in the event of allegations of abuse or neglect. 31/12/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Review the procedures for lost or uncollected children and consider how to achieve the desired result and remain sensitive to the children’s needs. 6 Consider how to document the safety checks that are carried out regularly. 6 Ensure that stacked tables are secure and cannot fall or be pulled upon a child. 7 Ensure that accident records are sufficiently detailed and recorded in pen. 7 Ensure medication permission records are dated. 12 Extend the partnership with parents by providing regular opportunities for all parents to view and discuss their children’s development records. 13 Ensure that existing injuries are recorded.

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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?

Staplehurst Under Fives Playgroup provides a welcoming environment enabling children to make generally good progress towards the early learning goals. Staff plan interesting activities that the children enjoy. They regularly assess and record the children's progress in detail, however they are not always using this information in their planning. The activities relate to the stepping-stones but the desired outcome is often group based. The staff do focus on some individual learning needs when working with their key children. Some areas of the curriculum are very good. Children are able to sit and concentrate when staff read them stories; they are being encouraged to develop a love of books for pleasure and information. Children enjoy joining in with familiar rhymes and songs. There are always plenty of staff and children have lots of opportunities to hold conversations with them. Children rarely have the opportunity to plan an activity

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How effective is the nursery education?

from scratch and to choose the resources they think they might need, investigating and experimenting whilst they create. The committee is supportive and encourage staff to update their training and qualifications. The day-to-day organisation is good; staff and children are clear about their roles and responsibilities. There is a regular routine that children are familiar with, and they feel secure knowing what to expect next. The partnership with parents is strong, there is a regular parent rota and parents are made welcome at any time. Parents are provided with information about the nursery. They frequently exchange information with their child's key worker at the end of sessions. Parents receive regular newsletters and there is a parent notice board. Parents are able to see their children's development records at any time but some parents may not see the records until their child is about to leave the nursery. There

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How effective is the nursery education?

is not a procedure in place to ensure that all parents are offered their child's records to look through.

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What is being done well?

• The children are read to regularly, they enjoy stories and staff are encouraging a love of books for pleasure and for finding information. • The staff have a good relationship with their key children and know them well. • Parents are encouraged to take an active role in their child's learning. • Staff observe the children regularly and make detailed assessment records.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• the opportunities to develop the children's imagination. • the opportunities to regularly explore, experiment and investigate a variety of equipment and resources. • the way the assessment records are used when planning activities. • the procedures to ensure that all parents are shown their children's development records regularly.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Staff keep a variety of the children's work to evidence their progress in the six areas of learning.

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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 interested in the activities and express pleasure at their achievements. They can sit quietly and concentrate when they are read a story. They get along well with each other and the staff. They hold interesting conversations and talk about home. Staff encourage children to show consideration, play co-operatively and share. They show kindness towards each other. The children's behaviour is good; they know what is expected of them and why.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Staff and children are often engaged in conversation, they listen carefully when they are introduced to new ideas. Children listen to stories attentively and enjoy them; staff are encouraging them to have a love of books. Most children can recognise their name and other words and they are becoming familiar with letter sounds. Some children can write their name or some of the letters, staff miss some opportunities that allow them to do this. Children join in with familiar rhymes and stories.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Most children count competently, they are provided with lots of opportunities to practice these skills. They are familiar with numbers being written down. Staff take opportunities to introduce children to simple calculations at snack time but rarely during other activities. They sing number rhymes with the children and regularly use positional language and talk about different shapes. Staff do not often refer to 3 dimensional shapes.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good The staff plan interesting activities to help children learn about their world. They explore a variety of materials but do not often get the opportunity to choose their own resources for planned activities. Most children use a variety of tools competently. The staff extend the children's natural curiosity with effective questioning encouraging them to think. They celebrate a variety of festivals from around the world and are being introduced to different cultures and beliefs.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently with control and understand how to move safely. Staff regularly discuss healthy lifestyle choices with children, the importance of keeping healthy and how their bodies work. The children's personal care is good. They play outside regularly and can climb, balance and ride bikes. The children are practiced and competently use a variety of different tools. The children enjoy music and movement activities.

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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: Generally Good Children undertake a variety of art and craft activities using different materials. They frequently explore colour and texture but usually in an adult-led activity. They rarely choose the resources they need for themselves. The children have been introduced to a variety of different music and they enjoy music and movement activities. The children use imagination in their small world play but there are few activities provided where the staff join in their imaginary games.

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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

• provide children with activities they can plan and develop from the beginning, allowing them to make choices about the equipment and resources they might need, exploring, investigating and experimenting whilst they create • increase the opportunities for children to use their imagination where staff can join in and extend their thinking • ensure that all parents are shown their children's development records regularly • consider how the assessment records are used when planning activities to ensure that children's individual learning needs are addressed.

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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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