Pied Piper Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 22/05/2003 Inspector Name Christina Downey

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Pied Piper Pre-School Setting Address Portacabin Earls Barton Northants

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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

Pied Piper Pre-school has been open for over 25 years. It moved to its present location, a portacabin in the grounds of Earls Barton Junior School, 12 years ago. The group has the benefit of a securely fenced, grassed outdoor play area. The pre-school is registered for 20 children from two to five years old, and accepts children from the age of two years nine months. There are currently 76 children on roll and of these, 25 three-year-olds and 36 four-year-olds are in receipt of funding. Most of the children come from the village of Earls Barton itself, and are representative of a range of family backgrounds. The pre-school opens during term time on Mondays to Thursdays from 9.15 am to 11.45am and 13.15 pm - 15.25 pm, and on Fridays from 9.15 am to 11.45 am only. The sessions on Monday mornings and Tuesday and Friday afternoons are primarily for children in their pre-school year. There are seven regular members of staff, five of whom are qualified to NVQ

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Information about the setting

level three. The group is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and has teacher support from the Early Years Development Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

Pied Piper Pre-school provides a satisfactory standard of care for children. The group has sole occupation of its premises and is able to mount attractive displays of children's work and create a very welcoming atmosphere. The staff develop good relationships with the children and successfully promote their self-esteem. They manage the children's behaviour well and provide a good range of interesting activities each day. The staff and parents undertake regular fund-raising events and are able to buy good-quality resources which appeal to the children's interests. The staff have a good understanding of health and hygiene issues. There are clear routines for developing the children's awareness of the need for attention to hygiene and for ensuring the premises are kept clean at all times. Children's records are well organised and up to date and contribute to their safe care, although not all necessary parental permissions are in place. Security of the premises is good and

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How good is the Day Care?

the children are supervised appropriately, but formal risk assessments are not yet carried out, nor are there formal procedures for ensuring the safe conduct of outings. Much useful information is provided for parents and the policies are shared effectively. However, there is no operational plan to give them an overview of how all aspects of the setting are organised. Parents are not always fully involved in settling their child confidently into the group.

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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

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the previous inspection the pre-school has ensured that the outside play area is securely fenced off from the adjacent junior school. This has meant that greater use can be made of the garden for a range of activities.

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What is being done well?

A good choice of resources enables children to represent their own experiences in their creative work (Standard 3). Good quality role-play, based on the children's everyday experiences, supports their learning effectively (Standard 3). Staff place great emphasis on ensuring high standards of health and hygiene are maintained. There is a comprehensive cleaning rota and the premises are kept very clean (Standard 7). The staff have a consistent and positive approach to behaviour management and the children's behaviour is good (Standard 9). Much useful information about the setting is provided for parents. Policies are shared effectively, regular newsletters are issued and the noticeboard is used to display a good range of posters and notices (Standard 12).

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What needs to be improved?

the operational plan, so that it is clear to parents how the setting is organised and how the resources are used to meet the needs of the children (Standard 2). the procedures for settling new children into the group and ensuring they are familiar with the staff and the environment before admission. (Standard 3) procedures for ensuring the safe conduct of outings (Standard 6) minimisation of any hazards through regular risk assessments (Standard 6) awareness of parental wishes in regard to the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment (Standard 7).

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Develop and review an operational plan which is available to parents. 6 Conduct a risk assessment of the premises. 6 Ensure that there are operational procedures for the safe conduct of

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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 outings. 7 Request written parental permission for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment. 13 Ensure the written child protection statement includes procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff or volunteer.

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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 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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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

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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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