Mount Pleasant Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/01/2005 Inspector Name Beryl Witheridge

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name ABC Pre-School Group Setting Address ABC Playgroup 13-14 Mercury Close Rochester Kent ME1 3AT

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Action For Borstal Community Project 3364165 1063842

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Action For Borstal Community Project Address 13-14 Mercury Close Borstal Rochester Kent ME1 3AT

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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

ABC Pre-school opened in 1995 and operates from two converted flats. It is situated in a residential area of Borstal, Rochester. A maximum of 23 children may attend the pre-school at any one time. The pre-school is open each weekday from 09:15 to 12:00 Monday to Friday and 13:00 to 15:30 Monday and Thursday for 37 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 38 children aged from two and a half to under five years on roll. Of these 27 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from the local area with a few children coming from further afield. The pre-school currently supports a number of children with special educational needs, and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The pre-school employs nine staff. There are seven of the staff, including the manager holding an appropriate early years qualifications. There are two staff

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How good is the Day Care?

ABC Pre-School provides good care for children. The pre-school is run by mostly qualified staff who regularly update their knowledge and training. Staffing levels are always maintained and are often higher than the minimum required. Staff work well together as a team and are all aware of their roles and responsibilities. They have use of one of two converted flats and utilise the space well to provide the children with a warm, bright, welcoming environment and different areas of play. The premises are safe and secure both indoors and out. Risk assessments are carried out on a daily, weekly and termly basis. The staff are aware of the safety of the children in their care, children are supervised at all times while on the premises. Two members of staff monitor the door at the beginning and end of each session when children are dropped off and collected. All visitors need to sign the visitors book. Staff practise good hygiene routines and encourage the children in these.

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How good is the Day Care?

Privacy while using the toilet needs to be ensured. They are aware of the individual needs of each child and aim to ensure that those needs are being met at all times. The activities provided for the children are varied, interesting and exciting. Children are also given free choice and toys are easily accessible. The group is aware of the need to expand their resources which provide positive images. Planning shows that

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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 staff use their knowledge of the children to ensure that their individual developmental needs are met. Staff work closely with the children taking an interest in all they do, talking and listening to them. There is a good relationship between parents and the group. Parents are given a parent pack and regular newsletters to keep them up to date with everything that is happening. Parents are able to speak to staff at any time. There are also opportunities to discuss their child's progress and view their work at more formal meetings. An open afternoon is held every half term.

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What is being done well?

• The staff are very aware of the needs of the individual children Activities are provided which are suitable to their needs and contribute to their development. The children are very happy, confident and secure. • The staff make excellent use of the premises. They are able to provide children with different areas of play, which are clearly marked. Children are able to move around freely and make effective use of the space to extend their play. • Staff work well together as a team, they know and understand their roles and responsibilities and provide the children with a welcoming environment in which to learn and play. • There is a good working relationship with the parents. They all have a parent pack which includes copies of policies and procedures. They have the opportunity to come into the group half termly to discuss their child's progress with the keyworker and to look at records. • The premises are safe and secure. The written and regular risk assessments

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What is being done well?

ensure a safe environment for the children.

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What needs to be improved?

• the signing of the visitor's book by all visitors to the pre-school • the provision of drinking water for children throughout the session • the extension of the range of toys and equipment which provide positive images of disability • the privacy for children using the toilet opposite the front door.

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from September 2004. The complaint record relates to complaints from the last

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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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

The group received a complaint regarding Standard 7, health and safety issues and Standard 11, behaviour management concerns. It was investigated by an Ofsted inspector. The group has addressed the health and safety issues and looked at behaviour management of the children, Ofsted took no further action. The pre-school remains suitable for registration.

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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 1 Ensure that all visiting parents sign into the visitor's book. 8 Provide children with drinking water throughout the session. 9 Expand the range of toys which promote positive images of disability.

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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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