St Ambrose Prep School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 01/07/2002 Inspector Name Barbara Hollis

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Setting Name Swimbridge Pre School Setting Address The Old School Room Swimbridge Barnstaple Devon EX32 0PR

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Swimbridge Pre-School Address The Old School Room Swimbridge Barnstaple Devon EX32 0PR

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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; 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

Swimbridge Pre-school has been in operation since 1984, serving the rural community in and around the village of Swimbridge, near Barnstaple. It is a registered charity , managed by a voluntary committee of parents. The Pre-school opens between 9.30am and 12pm, Monday to Friday and is registered to take up to 12 three to five year olds. The Pre-school employs four staff, three of whom have an appropriate child care qualification. Two staff are available at each session and one parent helper. Nine three-year-olds and five four-year-olds attending the pre-school are in receipt of nursery funding. At the present time there are no children attending who have identified special educational needs or for whom English is an additional language.

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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 2 Devise procedures to be followed in the event of a child being lost or a parent failing to collect a child. 01/12/2002

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

6 Ensure that there are operational proceedings for the safe conduct of any outings provided. 01/12/2002

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

7 Obtain written consent form parents to the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. 13/09/2002

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

12 Update the complaints procedure to include the address and telephone number of the regulator (OFSTED). 01/12/2002

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

13 Ensure that all of the staff are aware of their responsibilities and the procedures they should follow when they suspect a child is at risk. This should include the procedures to be followed in the event of and allegation being made against a member of staff or volunteer. 01/12/2002

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

2 Produce an operational plan which is available to parents. 01/12/2002

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

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?

Swimbridge Pre-school offers good quality provision which helps children to make generally good progress towards the early learning goals. Teaching is generally good and very good in the area of personal, social and emotional development. Staff have good knowledge of the foundation stage and plan an interesting and appropriate range of practical activities to help children learn. There is a good range of equipment which is used effectively and imaginatively to support children's progress in all areas of learning Children would benefit from more opportunities to share books individually with adults and in small groups. The small size of the hall and the lack of an outside play area means that children do not have the opportunity to play energetic games. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour and achievement. They set clear boundaries for the children who are given lots of praise and encouragement to

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How effective is the nursery education?

learn new skills. Children are encouraged to be independent and to be polite and considerate. They are confident and eager to learn. Staff know the children very well and are able to use this knowledge to plan what the children should do next. They have introduced an assessment system which they now need to consolidate. They extend and adapt activities for individual children. Leadership and management are generally good. The pre-school benefits from the strong leadership and experience of the supervisors. They are supported by a new committee of parents who are keen to carry out their responsibilities. They are aware that they need to develop their role in evaluating and reviewing the effectiveness of the pre-school's practice. The partnership with parents is generally good and contributes to children's progress towards the early learning goals. There is a parent helper present at every session and they are given guidance about the purpose of activities. Parents evenings have

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal, social and emotional development is excellent. Children are confident, articulate and eager to learn. • Staff have high expectations of achievement and behaviour and as a result children have good self esteem and behave well. • Staff's clear understanding of the early learning goals results in well planned activities which engage and challenge the children. • Staff's detailed knowledge of individual children enables activities to be

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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 adapted or extended to ensure the needs of all the children are met. • There are lots of opportunities to reinforce learning through the daily routine.

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What needs to be improved?

• Opportunities for children to enjoy sharing books with adults on an individual basis or in small groups. • Children's freedom to move with pleasure and confidence in a wider range of ways, such as running, jumping, racing and chasing games.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Parents are now more actively involved in their children's learning and more effective use is made of parent helpers. The assessment system has been improved so that children's progress towards the early learning goals can be assessed.

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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's progress in personal, social and emotional development is very good. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour and set clear boundaries. They listen to children, show patience and give clear explanations. As a result children are very well behaved, confident, articulate and eager to learn. They are encouraged to be independent and look after their own needs and be sensitive to others. Children concentrate and work well individually and as part of a group.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in communication, language and literacy is generally good. Most children are articulate with a good vocabulary and are confident speaking even within a large group. They recognise their names on name cards and attempt to write their names on their work. Children listen with enjoyment to stories in a large group and enjoy singing familiar songs and rhymes. There is not sufficient opportunity for children to share books with adults individually or in small groups.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in mathematical development is generally good. Children have many opportunities to say and use number labels in familiar contexts. Many children can count up to 10 and they are beginning to understand simple mathematical concepts. They learn about a different number and shape every week and have a good understanding of size and positional language. Mathematical learning is consolidated through everyday play activities such as trying on sun hats and comparing sizes.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in knowledge and understanding of the world is generally good. Children have lots of opportunities to learn about the natural world and their environment and to explore the features of living things. They have opportunities to develop their designing and making skills in practical activities, such as making sun visors. Children learn about their own cultures and beliefs and those of other people. There are good resources promoting positive images of diversity.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in physical development is generally good. Children show good awareness of space and learn to move safely and with confidence. They are able to use and handle tools and materials with increasing confidence. They use a range of equipment to increase their physical skills, such as bean bags, hoops and tunnels. They learn about keeping healthy through topics such as sunny weather and healthy foods. Lack of space limits energetic physical activities.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in creative development is generally good. Children have good opportunities to learn about colour, shape and texture. The colour of the week is reinforced throughout the session. Children enjoy good imaginative play and dressing up in the home corner. There are good resources to support role play and imaginative play. Children have opportunities to listen to music and join in familiar songs and rhymes. They use musical instruments to look at how sounds change.

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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 opportunities for children to enjoy sharing books with adults on an individual basis or in small groups. • Explore possibilities for children to have sufficient space to move freely, with pleasure and confidence and in a wider range of ways, such as running, jumping, racing and chasing games.

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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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