St Ambrose Prep School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 22/06/2004 Inspector Name Sara Jane Frost

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care 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

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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

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 9.30 a.m. and 12 noon on Monday, Tuesday ,Wednesday and Friday. The committee employ four staff, three of whom have an appropriate child care qualification. Two staff are available at each session with a parent helper. The pre-school is held in a small room which was formerly a school room. There is no outside play area. There are currently ten children on role, five three year olds and five four year olds, all of whom 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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How good is the Day Care?

Swimbridge Pre-school provides satisfactory care for children. Staff ensure the room is warm and welcoming with posters and children's work on display. The room is organised well to make good use of the limited available space. Three of the four staff employed hold the relevant childcare qualifications. Although most of the paperwork is in place there are areas which require further development. Staff are vigilant about children's safety. Access to the provision is monitored, any person unknown to the setting is required to show identification before being admitted. Children's personal hygiene is promoted well by encouraging hand washing at appropriate times. Staff and the duty parent sit with the children at snack time to make this a sociable occasion. Staff are aware of child protection issues and of their responsibilities. Children are able to experience a range of activities and are able to access

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How good is the Day Care?

equipment independently. Planning allows for a balance of free play and structured play. Although there is no outside play available staff ensure through planning children experience a range of physical activities inside. Staff promote good behaviour from children through praise and encouragement.

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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 work hard in developing their partnership with parents, newsletters are regularly sent home. Staff are friendly and approachable, parents are able to talk to staff at the end of the session. The pre-school has recently introduced parent's evenings to ensure parents are kept up to date with their child's progress. The committee are looking at ways of ensuring parents are fully aware of the pre-schools policies and procedures.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the pre-school agreed to six actions. The setting has devised a procedure for lost or uncollected child. The complaints procedure now includes the regulators name and address. Risk assessments have been introduced for each organised outing and are also conducted internally before each session starts. Written parental permission has been obtained to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Staff have accessed child protection training and are aware of their responsibilities, the committee have produced a child protection procedure, although this was not available at the time of inspection and will therefore be a recommendation from this inspection. The pre-school has developed an operational plan for parents however at time of inspection this was not a full complete document and this will also be a recommendation from this inspection

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What is being done well?

• Children are confident and happy, they are able to hold conversations with adults and each other, in small and the large group. • Good ratio of adults, person in charge ensured adults are aware of their role and responsibilities, this enables the session to flow well and maintain continuity of routine. • Good use is made of limited space, the room is made inviting by displaying children's work, the area is well organised, this gives children space to move around to access a variety of activities. • Staff promote children's good behaviour, their self esteem is fostered well through positive praise and encouragement.

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What needs to be improved?

• the record keeping to include; arrival and departure times of staff and children, a system for recording any medication administered and that the operational plan available to parents shows all the listed policies and procedures including a statement of child protection procedures.

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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

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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 attendance records show arrival and departure times of staff and children. 7 Develop a system to record any medicines given to children, signed by parents. 13 Develop a statement of child protection procedures which complies with local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures 14 Ensure that all records relating to day care activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times 12 Ensure operational plan available to parents holds all listed policies and procedures.

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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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