Holcombe Brook Methodist Preschool

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/03/2005 Inspector Name (Kate) Kathryn, Jane Ryder

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Holcombe Brook Methodist Pre-School Playgroup Setting Address Holcombe Brook Methodist Church Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom Bury Lancashire BL0 9QZ

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Holcombe Brook Methodist Pre-School Playgroup

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Holcombe Brook Methodist Pre-School Playgroup Address Holcombe Brook Methodist Church Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom Bury Lancashire BL0 9QZ

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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

Holcombe Brook Methodist Pre-School is managed by a voluntary management committee and registered in 1992 although it has been established for over 25 years. It operates from the basement hall and occasional use of one meeting room within Holcombe Brook Methodist Church which is located in Ramsbottom, a suburb of Bury. A maximum of 42 children may attend the playgroup at any one time. The playgroup opens each weekday from 09:15 to 12:00 during term time. Children have access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 36 children aged from 2 to under 5 years on roll in the playgroup. Of these 15 children receive funding for nursery education. The playgroup employs 6 staff, only 1 of whom currently holds an appropriate early years qualifications but a further 2 are undertaking qualifications. The group has links with the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and are members

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How good is the Day Care?

Holcombe Brook Methodist Pre-School provides satisfactory care for children. The small staff team work well together but minimum staffing qualifications are not being kept. Children are grouped appropriately and attached to a key worker. The environment is child centred with children's work displayed in the playroom. Children's written records are generally of a good standard but records relating to policies and procedures need attention. There is good attention to health and safety issues but there are no staff with current first aid certificates. There are policies and procedures in place which staff have a good understanding of and are able to put them into practice through the daily routines and activities with the children. Staff have a good understanding of individual dietary requirements and children are provided with a limited snack. A broad range of toys which include some positive image resources are provided

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How good is the Day Care?

and staff effectively plan activities within the framework of an early years curriculum. Children are happy and confident and have good relationships with their carers. Staff have a consistent approach towards managing children's behaviour and children understand what is expected of them and they are polite and very well behaved.

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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 There is a good commitment to working in partnership with parents and relationships are good. They are provided with information about the setting and receive daily verbal feedback about their children's progress.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection it was agreed to ensure that at least half of the childcare staff had early years qualifications and address actions mainly related to documentation. The staff team remain below having the minimum level of appropriate qualifications and although the group have made some progress with regard to the documentation several still need further development.

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What is being done well?

• The key worker system ensures staff know the children well and effective observations of their abilities and achievements are monitored and recorded. Children are happy and confident in their environment and are provided with an interesting and stimulating range of activities to support their learning. Children are frequently praised for their efforts and achievements. New children to the group receive good support from the sensitive staff. • The playroom is warm and brightly decorated with children's work displayed and space is organised well into curriculum areas which children are familiar with. They move around their room with familiarity and confidence. • An extensive range of toys and equipment is provided which are stimulating, fun, interesting and provide sufficient challenge for the children. • Children's behaviour is good as a consequence of consistent and sensitive handling by staff. They play co-operatively together sharing their toys, follow

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What is being done well?

instructions from their carers and respond well to the praise and encouragement they receive.

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What needs to be improved?

• minimum qualification levels, to ensure that at least half of the staff have early years qualifications and that at least one member of staff has a first aid qualification • the documentation, to ensure that children's times of attendance are recorded; to provide clear information about the action to take when a child is uncollected; to devise a fire evacuation statement; to ensure parents sign any accident records; to make sure the complaints procedure contains Ofsted's telephone number and to revise the child protection statement in line with current legislation and to include information about professional abuse.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 There are no complaints to record.

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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 2 Develop an action plan that sets out how staff training and qualification requirements will be met. 24/03/2005

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

7 Develop and implement an action plan detailing how at least one member of staff with a current first aid certificate will be on the premises or on outings at any one time. 24/03/2005

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 13 Ensure that the written child protection statement is based on the booklet ' What to do if youre worried a child is being abused' and includes procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. 14 Ensure children's hours of attendance are recorded; include the action to be taken where a child is uncollected; devise a statement of procedures to be followed in the event of a fire; make sure parents sign the accident record and include Ofsted's telephone number on the complaints procedure.

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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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