ABC Preschool

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 21/05/2003 Inspector Name Amanda Noble

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name ABC Pre-School Setting Address St. Peter's Church Goresbrook Road DAGENHAM ESSEX RM9 6VP

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

ABC Pre-school was registered in 1993. It operates from a church building which is located next to St Peters Church and serves the local area of Dagenham. The group uses the main church hall, which has additional toilets and kitchen facilities. An outside play area, with safety surface is located at the rear of the premises. There are currently a total of 50 children on roll, with a maximum of 26 in attendance at each session. This includes 20 funded three year olds. The group do not currently have any four year olds in attendance. Children attend for up to five sessions a week. The group has experience of supporting children with special needs. At present no children attend who have English as an additional language. ABC Pre-School is open five days a week during school term time. Sessions are from 9.30 -12 p.m. Five staff work full time with the children. An additional member of staff is employed to provide cover when needed. All members of staff have early years qualifications,

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Information about the setting

and two members of staff are currently on training programmes. The pre-school receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) and a development worker from the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PSLA).

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How good is the Day Care?

ABC Pre-School provides satisfactory care for children aged 2.5 - 5 years. Staff work well together and opportunities for training have been developed to enable them to extend their practice and gain appropriate qualifications. Clear policies and procedures are in place which staff are familiar with. Some of these require further development and greater attention needs to be given to ensurting that Ofsted are kept informed of all relevant changes and matters. Appropriate links have been made with other agencies to enable staff to give support to children with Special Educational Needs and Staff ensure that all children are fully included in all activities.

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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 Awareness of safety is generally good and children are safe, although some further development is required. Good health and hygiene is promoted within the setting. A satisfactory range of activities is planned and set out daily. However, these are limited in supporting more able and funded children and in the extent to which they reflect equality of apportunity. A keyworker system is in place, enabling staff to build relationships with their key children. Observations are made by staff but these are not always used to plan the next stage of play and learning for individual children. There is a good partnership with parents and carers. Information is shared with parents through a newsletter and notice board. Informal feedback is given to parents on children's progress.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, the provider agreed to implement a risk assessment of the premises; devise an action plan for staff to meet qualification requirements; put in place appropriate resources to ensure that premises are adequately maintained; develop an operational plan; seek consent from parents for emergency medical treatment; implement effective procedures for parents to sign accident records; devise a medication and sickness policy; implement appropriate strategies for observing children's development; obtain information about local Child Protection procedures; and devise procedures in the event of an allegation being made against a staff member/volunteer. All required policies and procedures are now in place, although the child protection policy does not include a procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. Risk assessments have been undertaken and maintenance standards have

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What has improved since the last inspection?

improved, resulting in a safer environment for children. Consent has been obtained from parents for emergency medical treatment, although administration records are not consistently signed by parents. Staff now ensure that parents sign all accident records. An action plan for staff training and an operational plan are now in place facilitating a clearer sense of purpose and direction to the setting. Observations of children's development are being kept by staff but at present these are not being effectively used to plan the next steps for play, learning and development.

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What is being done well?

• Staff interact positively with the children and encourage them to participate in all the activities provided. • Staff work well together and are committed to providing a quality service.

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What is being done well?

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 good procedures in place to ensure that children's safety is maintained both inside and outdoors at all times. • Staff have a positive attitude to providing appropriate support for children with Special Educational Needs. • Good relationships with parents. An information pack and newsletter is given to parents giving them up to date information about news and themes being carried out.

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What needs to be improved?

• procedures for ensuring that OFSTED are kept informed of all relevant changes • opportunities to develop and support children's learning for more able and funded children • use of observations and records to plan the next stages of play and learning • opportunities for children to access toys and equipment independently • procedures to ensure that equipment is maintained in clean and good condition • activities equipment and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice • safety of outdoor drains • maintenance of first aid box and medication administration records • strategies to enable children to take responsibility for their behaviour and to value and respect each other • procedure for allegations made against staff or volunteers.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Std Action Date 1 ensure that OFSTED is informed of all relevant changes and matters. 01/11/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 3 extend opportunities to develop and support learning and to use observations to help plan their next stages of learning and play; 5 develop opportunities for children to be able to access toys and equipment independently; 5 put procedures in place to ensure that equipment is safe and in good condition; 6 make safe outdoor drains; 7 ensure that written consent is gained from parents for all medication administered and that the contents of the first aid box are approriately maintained; 9 ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice; 11 develop consistent behaviour management strategies to enable children to take responsibility for their behaviour and to value and respect each other; 13 extend the child protection procedure to include the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a staff member

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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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