Arnold St Mary's Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 18/10/2004 Inspector Name Susan Riley

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Arnold St Mary's Pre-School Setting Address Family Centre St Mary's Church Arnold Notts NG5 8HJ

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Arnold St Mary's Pre-School

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Arnold St Mary's Pre-School Address Family Centre St Marys Church Arnold Nottinghamshire NG5 8HJ

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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

Arnold St Marys Pre-School is a committee run group, which opened in 1969. It operates from the Family Centre of St Marys Church in Arnold. The Pre-School serves the local area. There are currently 17 children from 2 to 4 years on roll. This includes 4 funded 3-and-4-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting is able to support children with special needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens Monday, Tuesday and Thursday during school term times. Sessions are from 09:15 until 11:45. Four staff work with the children. One staff member has an early years qualification to NVQ level 3. One staff member is currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, and receives support from the Nottinghamshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Arnold St Marys Pre-School provides good quality care for children. There are suitable arrangements in place to protect children from persons who are not checked. The present system of vetting staff is not effective. Staff deploy themselves well around the setting and are very clear on their roles and responsibilities. They organise and use space well to meet children's needs. There are sufficient and suitable toys and resources readily available to the children. Staff are very well organised with the documentation. All records are in place, they are accessible, stored securely and confidentiality is maintained. Staff maintain good supervision of children and demonstrate a good awareness of safety issues around the setting. The premises are kept secure. Staff promote good health and hygiene practices for children and around the setting. Water is readily available for the children at all times and staff are aware of children's individual

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How good is the Day Care?

dietary requirements. All children are valued, included and their needs met. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the child protection issues, however their policy and procedure is not in line with current guidance.

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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 provide a good range and balance of activities and experiences for children, which promotes all areas of development. Staff display interest in the children, they play, listen and interact well with them. Children are well behaved, and staff promote the good behaviour by being good role models and offering positive praise and encouragement. A warm and welcoming environment is provided for parents and children. Relationships between parents and staff are good and children are cared for according to parent's wishes. Parents help in many ways towards the smooth running of the pre-school.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the pre-school agreed to two actions. They have employed a new person in charge who has a recognised early years qualification to NVQ level 3. This ensures that children are appropriately cared for. The staff and committee have devised and implemented a medication policy which is shared with parents, ensuring all persons are made aware of the settings practise. Consent is gained from parents prior to the administration of any medication, and a detailed record is kept.

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What is being done well?

• Staff's interaction with children is very good, they allow children to make decisions, have free choice of resources, play and companions. Children are confident and happy within the setting. • A good range of toys and experiences, are readily available for children to freely access, encouraging their independence. All are appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. • Staff sensitively manage children's behaviour. They help children become aware of the pre-schools routines and what is expected of them. Positive behaviour is encouraged through praise and encouragement. • A very detailed information package is in place for new committee members, ensuring they are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities towards the group.

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What needs to be improved?

• policies and procedures, with reference to child protection • procedures for vetting staff, to ensure their suitability of working with children.

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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 1 Ensure that there are effective procedures in place for checking that staff are suitable, both mentally and physically, to care for children. 13 Review the child protection policy and procedure to be in line with current guidance.

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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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