Ilton First School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 29/01/2004 Inspector Name Anne Dowse

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Old London Road Pre-School Setting Address 4th St Albans Scout Hut Riverside Road St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 1ST

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Old London Road Pre-School 1082051

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Old London Road Pre-School Address 4th St Albans Scout Hut Riverside Road St. Albans Hertfordshire AL1 1ST

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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

Old London Road Pre-School opened in 1999. It is run by an elected committee, and operates from a scout building close to the city centre of St Albans in Hertfordshire. The group have use of two main rooms, a kitchen and toilet facilities. An enclosed garden is available for outside play. The Pre-School is registered to take 24 children aged 2 to 5 years and operates Monday to Friday, 09:15 to 15:00, term time only. A lunch club is also available. There are currently eight members of staff on the register, four hold a relevant childcare qualification. The other four members of staff are working towards gaining qualifications. All staff have completed first aid training. Additional staff are employed to escourt children from a local school for the lunch club. The Pre-School are members of the Pre-School Learning Alliance and are presently working towards the Herts Quality Standards kite mark.

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How good is the Day Care?

Old London Road Pre-School provides satisfactory care for children. Organisation is good and staff ensure that space has been used effectively to meet the needs of the children. Staff are deployed ensuring there is a minimum of two staff in both rooms. Children respond positively to routines which have been developed whilst allowing them freedom of choice. A good range of working policies are in place, but roles and responsibilities of committee members need to be considered. The environment is welcoming to children, with rooms divided into different areas, for example separate areas for rest and play. However, the room temperature is not adequate in all areas and needs to be reviewed. Staff are aware of safety and ensure precautions are taken to prevent accidents. Hygiene practice is promoted and staff make children aware through fun activities such as singing songs about hand washing, however procedures for children's hand

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How good is the Day Care?

washing needs to be reviewed. The range of toys and resources is good. Toys are age appropriate and of good quality, they promote learning in all areas. There is an excellent range of puzzles and books which demonstrate children from different backgrounds and culture. Activities are fun and varied and are based around themes. These involve cooking,

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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 food tasting, creative activities and role play. Children participate in active music sessions with staff playing musical instruments. Staff are careful to adapt activities to ensure that all children's needs are met. Partnership with parents is generally good. Information is shared through policies, notice board, monthly newsletter, committee involvement, fundraising and social evenings. Parents are actively encouraged to help in the group and to spend time settling their child in. Feedback from the parent's questionnaires highlight that staff are very friendly, caring and look at children's individual needs, however, procedures as to how the information is shared needs to be reviewed.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection staff were asked to demonstrate how they could be deployed effectively when 24 children are present and have a system in place as to record the time of arrival and departure of the children. An operational plan is now in place ensuring that a minimum of two staff are deployed in each room, with one staff acting as a floater. A register recording specific times of children's arrival and departure is now in place. Staff were asked to ensure that the nappy changing area is clean and well maintained. The area is clean but not of an appropriate temperature. This has been highlighted in this inspection and an action put in place.

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What is being done well?

• Staff ensure that they are deployed effectively to meet the needs of the children, with a minimum of two members of staff in each room. Good use is made of space, dividing rooms into different areas for rest and play. (Standard 2) • A good range of toys and resources are available to the children. These are age appropriate and of good quality. They help promote the children's learning in all areas and show positive images of children from different backgrounds and cultures. (Standard 5) • Positive steps are taken to promote safety within the setting. Staff ensure that precautions are taken to prevent accidents. (Standard 6) • Children are actively involved in a variety of activities which help to develop their emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities. Children are able to make choices and enjoy their play. Activities are adapted to meet children's individual needs. (Standard 3)

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What needs to be improved?

• the maintaining of adequate temperatures in all areas (Standard 4) • the procedures for children's hand washing (Standard 7) • the sharing of information with parents (Standard 12)

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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 • the roles and responsibilities of volunteers and committee members. (Standard 12)

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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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 4 Ensure adequate temperatures are maintained in all areas. 29/01/2004

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 7 Review procedures for children’s hand washing. 12 Ensure volunteers and committee members are given full information and guidance on their role and responsibilities. 12 Review procedures as to how information is shared with parents.

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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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