Larkholme Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 08/12/2003 Inspector Name Glenda Pownall

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Out of School Day Care, Sessional Day Care Setting Name St Michael's School House Nursery Setting Address Crowthorne Road Bracknell Berkshire RG12 7EH

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name St. Michael's School House Trust Ltd. 2548382 1013805

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St. Michael's School House Trust Ltd. Address Crowthorne Road Bracknell Berkshire RG12 7EH

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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

St Michael's Childcare Trust Limited opened in 1990. It operates from five rooms on the ground and first floors of a Victorian house situated in the grounds of St Michael's Primary School, Bracknell. The setting serves the local area. There are currently 51 children from 2 to under 5 years on roll. This includes twenty four funded three-year-olds and four 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. Children are usually aged two and a half before attending the nursery. The nursery opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:00 until 11:30 and from 12:30 until 15:00. Extended day care is offered during school term times only. Sessions are from 09:00 until 15:00. The after school club opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are

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Information about the setting

from 15:15 until 18:15. The holiday club operates during school holidays only. Sessions are between 08:45 and 18:15. Children aged up to 11 years attend the out of school clubs and are included within the overall registered number of children. One full-time and four part-time staff work with the children. Over half the nursery staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

St Michael's Childcare Trust Limited provides good quality care for children. The out of school clubs were not observed as part of this inspection. The nursery provides a warm and welcoming environment to children and parents. Children's artwork is displayed throughout the nursery. Staff are approachable and greet parents and children with a smile. Staff aim to attend five training sessions a year. This enables them to put theory learnt into practice in the best interests of children in their care. Most documentation is in place with few issues to be addressed. Staff take positive steps to provide a safe environment and minimise the risks to children's safety. For example, a daily risk assessment is carried out and any action required recorded, they assist less confident children on the stairs. There are a few safety issues to be addressed. There is an effective procedure in place to support

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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 children with special needs. Through discussion staff demonstrate a sound knowledge of child protection. They know the procedures to follow if concerned about a child. A good variety of activities are planned covering all areas of development. Children form good relationships with each other and staff. All children are treated with equal concern and have equal access to all resources. Staff act as good role models to the children. They are calm and patient and give children clear and consistent boundaries. Good behaviour is reinforced through the use of praise and encouragement. The children behave very well. Parents are well informed about the daily routine of the setting. The setting operates an open door policy where parents have access to their child's records at anytime.

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How good is the Day Care?

They are informed of their child's achievements through annual parents evenings and reports. Parents state they are very happy with the care their children receive.

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What is being done well?

• Children form good relationships with each other and staff. They work together during activities such as co-operating to build a train track, negotiating roles in their imaginative play. They approach staff readily for help and chat happily with them. • Staff act as good role models to the children. They are calm and patient and give children clear and consistent boundaries. Good behaviour is reinforced through the use of praise and encouragement. The children behave very well. • Partnership with parents is very good. Parents are well informed about the daily routine of the setting through the prospectus, termly newsletters, parent notice board, daily contact with staff and helping on the parents' rota. The setting operates an open door policy where parents have access to their child's records at anytime. They are informed of their child's achievements through annual parents evenings and reports. Parents state they are very

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What is being done well?

happy with the care their children receive. • The nursery is committed to staff development. All staff aim to complete five training sessions a year. This enables them to put theory learnt into practice in the best interests of children in their care.

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What needs to be improved?

• safety, by making sure that the gates are secure and that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised, by ensuring that hot radiators are inaccessible to the children, by reviewing the practice of staff working on their own with groups of children behind closed doors

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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 • documentation, by ensuring, all committee members complete enhanced level of Criminal Records Bureau checks, confidentiality is maintained in the accident book, the child protection policy is updated to include all required information and is shared with parents, all required policies are easily accessible.

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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 6 Review the practice of staff working on their own with groups of children behind closed doors.

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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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