Meadowlands Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 27/04/2004 Inspector Name Gillian Sutherland

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Meadowlands Pre-School Setting Address Meadow County Primary School Dolphin Crescent Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH66 4SZ

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Meadowlands Pre School Address Meadow County Primary School Dolphin Crescent, Great Sutton Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH66 4SZ

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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

Meadowlands Pre-School opened in 2002. It operates from a purpose built unit in the grounds of Meadowlands Infant and Junior School. Meadowlands Pre-School serves children from the local area. There are currently 51 children aged from 2 years 6 months to 4 years on roll. This includes 27 funded 3 year olds and 11 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting is supportive of children with special needs and would support children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week during school term times. The sessions are from 09;10 am to 11:40 am Monday to Friday and from 12:25 pm until 14:55 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Four staff work with the children throughout the week. Over half of the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ Level 2 or 3. The setting receives support from the Early Years development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Meadowlands Pre-School provides good quality care for children. The building which is used by the pre-school is very warm and welcoming to the parents and the children. The registration procedures currently used do not actually indicate the times of arrival and departure for each child. The play space used by the children is very well equipped with toys and resources, which are all appropriate for the age groups of the children who attend the pre-school. Parents are given an information booklet, which provides them with details about the activities their child will participate in whilst attending, and also provides them with information regarding the policies and procedures of the pre-school. The complaints policy needs revising to ensure that parents are made aware of the address of Ofsted. The staff ensure when the pre-school is operating, the environment is safe and all the staff have a good understanding of health and safety requirements and carry out

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How good is the Day Care?

a daily risk assessment of the premises prior to the session taking place. The children have access to a very wide and varied range of activities.The daily activity programme is planned in advance by the staff and reviewed and revised on a regular basis. The pre-school children do have access to a secure outdoor play

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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 area, which is used weather permitting. The pre-school staff ensure that each child's individual needs are met whilst they are in their care. A full discussion takes place with parents prior to care commencing and an agreement is reached as to how the children's needs can be met whilst at pre-school.

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What is being done well?

• The pre-school staff put a great deal of effort into the planning of the daily activity programme. They try and involve the children in some of the daily tasks e.g. collecting the post from the main school building, when a child will be accompanied on a daily basis to collect the mail and letters for the pre-school. At snack time children are also given the opportunity of giving the toast/fruit/biscuits out to the children present. • The range of activities was varied and included structured sessions and also free play. The toys and equipment are easily accessible to the children offering choice and independence. The premises used by the pre-school was decorated with children's art work throughout. • There are effective systems in place for disseminating information to the parents and this is done initially by each parent being given an information booklet and then regular newsletters are prepared and given out each term.

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What is being done well?

The notice boards in the entrance hall are also used to ensure that each parent has access to information about the activities of the playgroup.

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What needs to be improved?

• the registration procedures, to ensure that the hours of attendance for each child is indicated • the complaints policy, to ensure that parents are made aware of the name and address of the regulatory body Ofsted.

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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 Devise and implement a system of identifying in the daily register the hours of attendance for each child present. 12 Review and revise the complaints policy to ensure that it contains the address and telephone number of Ofsted, the regulatory body.

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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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