Our Lady's First Steps Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 28/01/2004 Inspector Name Frances Shaw

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care, Full Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name Our Lady's First Steps Pre-School Setting Address Clincton View Widnes Cheshire WA8 8JW

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Our Lady's First Steps Pre-School 1018543

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Our Lady's First Steps Pre-School Address Clinton View Widnes Cheshire WA8 8JW

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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

Our Lady's First Steps pre-school sessional facility opened approximately 20 years ago with a full day care and out of school provision opening in January 2004. It operates from a single storey building, which is divided into sessional and full day care settings, in the grounds of Our Lady's Primary School, in Ditton, Widnes. The facility serves children from the local community. There are currently 71 children on roll in the sessional care provision, 38 of whom are in receipt of funding. Sixty-one children are on roll in the full day care settings, five of whom have funded places. Children attend a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs. The out of school care provision has not yet commenced holding sessions. Full and part-time staff work with the children, all of whom have early years qualifications to NNEB and NVQ levels 2 and 3. One member of staff is currently

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Information about the setting

working towards NVQ level 3. The setting is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance and receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Our Lady's First Steps provides a good standard of care for young children. The setting has a welcoming atmosphere and is brightly decorated with children's work, although the heating system in the sessional facility takes time to warm up in colder weather. It is divided into full and sessional care with designated, age appropriate rooms. Toy storage is well thought out. Staff work well together ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities. Policies are well written and being extended although the registration system is not consistent throughout the setting. There are good safety systems in place with a risk assessment regularly carried out although the visitor's book is not always available to monitor access. Staff have a good understanding of the child protection procedure although informing the registering body has not been completed. Appropriate records of accidents and incidents are kept but do not promote confidentiality and storage does not provide

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How good is the Day Care?

easy access to information. Priority is given for extra support for special needs and dietary requirements. An extensive range of toys and activities are available that support children's

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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 learning and development. Resources promote different cultures and diversity allowing children to explore and understand the world around them. Play plans are displayed and being developed to include the babies attending the full day care setting to embrace their developmental needs. A professional relationship has been developed with parents by using appropriate documentation and having effective systems in place to keep them informed. A keyworker system is being developed to work alongside parent's meetings and the existing child assessments and progress report systems.

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What is being done well?

• Staff work well together following an effective recruitment and induction programme and having regular staff meetings. There is a commitment to ongoing training with some staff working towards NVQ level 3 qualifications, first aid and special needs which ensures they all understand their roles and responsibilities and being able to implement activities according to prepared plans. Good deployment of staff ensures consistency of care whilst developing a new key worker system. • Good use of space is made with age appropriate rooms organised so that children have plenty of space for spontaneous play activities and good social interaction. Storage of toys is well thought out to enable children to reach them easily and allowing them to develop their independence using low level units, cupboards and drawers. • There is an extensive supply of toys and equipment that support children's learning and developmental needs. Resources and activities are available

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What is being done well?

that reflect positive images of culture and diversity, offering children the opportunity to explore and understand the world around them through celebrating festivals and art and craft activities. Priority is being given to devising activity plans for children attending the new full day care setting to ensure they enjoy a stimulating environment. • Good safety systems are in place which include a risk assessment being carried out on a regular basis. Priority is given to providing extra support and resources for children with special needs. Dietary requirements are catered for with good liaison between parents, management and the cook. • Policies and procedures are well written and are currently being extended to include the full day care setting. • There is a good relationship with parents who are kept informed of their child's progress through parent's meetings, a new key worker system being set up, notice boards throughout, routines displayed in each room and being

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What is being done well?

given a copy of the policies and procedures.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• the heating system in the sessional facility to ensure children can enter a warm environment particularly in colder weather • the procedures for informing the registering body of any incidents to ensure effective implementation of the child protection procedures • the system for recording children's attendance and details of accidents to promote consistency, confidentiality and easy access to information • the procedure for completing the visitor's book to maintain security of the building

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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 4 Organise the heating system in the sessional facility so that children are able to enter a warm environment. 6 Make sure the visitor’s book is available for signing by all who enter the setting to ensure effective systems are in place for managing access to the building. 13 Provide details of any concerns relating to child protection issues to the registering body to ensure effective implementation of the procedures for the protection of children. 14 Organise the system for recording children's attendance to promote consistency throughout the setting and provide storage to ensure easy access to information. Record details of accidents so that others do not have access to information of other children to promote confidentiality of personal details.

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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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