Ladybird Pre-School Limited

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/03/2004 Inspector Name Gillian Little

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Ladybird Preschool Setting Address Manor School Grounds Lydalls Close Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 7LB

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Ladybird Preschool Address Manor School Grounds Lydalls Close Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 7LB

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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

Ladybird Pre-School opened in 2003. It operates from purpose built premises in the grounds of Manor School in Didcot. The pre-school serves the local and wider area. There are currently 105 children from two to five years on roll. This includes 22 funded three year olds and 24 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week all year round. Sessions are from 09:15 until 11:45 and from 12:45 until 15:15 Monday to Friday. The pre-school offers a lunchtime club every day. Nine part-time and five full-time staff work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level two or three. Three staff are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from a development worker from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership

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How good is the Day Care?

The pre-school provides satisfactory care for children. There are effective procedures in place for employing and checking staff. There are sufficient numbers of qualified staff and they have regular opportunities for on-going training. There is a good range of safe and clean toys and resources. The premises are well maintained and provide a safe and secure environment. The staff should develop further strategies to effectively manage the large numbers of children in the main playroom in order to prevent unwanted behaviour and to reduce noise levels. The pre-school could develop the outdoor play area to make it more inviting and purposeful. Most of the required paperwork is in place and there is a range of additional paperwork to ensure the safe and efficient management of the provision. The staff ensure that children are safe at all times. The premises are clean and hygienic. Staff help the children to learn about health and hygiene. The pre-school

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How good is the Day Care?

takes appropriate steps when children are ill. The pre-school provides children with regular meals, snacks and drinks and the staff give children choices. There are effective procedures in place to deal with child protection concerns.

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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 The pre-school offers a wide range of stimulating activities across all learning areas. Staff know children well and are generally able to meet their individual needs. Staff spend their time playing with and talking to the children but need to ensure that this valuable interaction is not limited to structured activities. The pre-school promotes equal opportunities for staff and children and promotes the welfare and development of children with special needs. Staff encourage positive behaviour but need to be more vigilant in identifying difficulties in the main play area. The pre-school develops good partnerships with parents who are happy with the care it provides.

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What is being done well?

• The pre-school offers a wide range of well-planned stimulating activities including: art and craft, imaginative play, physical play, construction, music, stories and songs. There is a good balance of free play and structured activities. The children have easy access to a range of toys and resources. The staff give children some individual attention through structured activities and talk to them in a way which helps to develop their thinking and language. This all ensures that children develop skills in all areas of learning. • The premises are safe and secure. There is safety policy in place and a designated staff member with responsibility for this area. The staff review safety procedures regularly and ensure that tests on electrical and fire safety equipment are carried out annually. Staff supervise children at all times and have careful security procedures at the entrance door. • The staff develop good partnerships with parents. There are appropriate

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What is being done well?

procedures for settling in new children and parents have commented on how well these work. Staff welcome parents and children into the group and take time to talk to parents on a daily basis if necessary. The staff invite parents to key worker appointments where they can discuss their child's progress. The staff also complete records of children's progress termly and these are shared with parents. • The pre-school promotes equal opportunities and makes appropriate provision for children with special needs. There is an appointed special needs worker within the group who is able to offer additional support. The staff are aware of identification and assessment procedures for special needs and work closely with parents. The staff treat all children equally and know children in their key worker groups well.

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What needs to be improved?

• the management of large numbers of children in the main playroom

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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 • staff support for children engaged in free play activities • development of the outdoor play area • staff awareness of some health issues • development of some policies • obtaining signatures from a parent/carer for all entries in the accident book.

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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 2 Ensure that staff effectively manage children and space in the main playroom so that a calm and settled environment is maintained. 2 Ensure that staff give appropriate support to children who are involved in free play activities. 4 Develop the outdoor area to ensure that it is an inviting and purposeful play space. 7 Ensure that accident records are always signed by a parent/carer. 14 Ensure that the complaints policy includes Ofsted’s name, address and telephone number. 14 Ensure that the child protection policy includes procedures to be followed in the event of allegations being made against a staff member.

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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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