St Michael's Church of England VA Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 13/09/2004 Inspector Name Christine Clint

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Colgate Pre-School Setting Address Colgate Pre-School Village Hall,Blackhouse Road Colgate West Sussex RH13 6HS

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Colgate Pre-school

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Colgate Pre-school Address Village Hall Blackhouse Road, Colgate Horsham West Sussex RH13 6HS

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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

Colgate Pre-School was registered in February 1992 and operates in the village hall situated in Colgate. The group have access to a medium sized hall, a kitchen and toilets. The sessional registration is for 26 children aged 2-5 Years. Overnight care is not included. There are currently 21 children on roll, 14 of whom are in funded educational places. The pre-school supports children with additional needs and any who are learning English as a second language. Children from the immediate and surrounding areas attend for a variety of sessions each week. The pre-school is open for five days a week, offering morning and afternoon sessions, during term-time only. All staff hold qualifications in child care or are working towards a qualification. All staff attend regular training to maintain certificates of first aid and to update their knowledge of child protection procedures.

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How good is the Day Care?

Colgate Pre-school provides good quality care for children. There are clear procedures for maintaining staff records. The pre-school sessions are well organised with excellent levels of qualified staff and good use of space and resources, although during some routines staff are not always directly involved with the children. The premises are bright and airy with good light and ventilation. Children can access outside activities freely in fine weather. Furniture is appropriate and a comfortable corner is available; children have a wide choice of play equipment which is regularly rotated to provide variety. Ample and clear documentation is available to manage the provision. There is a high level of awareness regarding children's health and safety and full procedures are followed with supporting documentation. Children are provided with regular snack time and have access to drinking water throughout the session.

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How good is the Day Care?

Dietary needs are indicated and well recorded. Staff have a proactive attitude to giving all children choice and opportunity, they include a wide range of resources and topics for promoting diversity within society. There is experience and understanding of children with additional needs, staff attend training and show a committed attitude towards inclusion for all children.

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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 A good range of activities are planned and provided with effective systems to record children's development. Children have freedom and choice, they can move between activities for most of the session. Staff use effective strategies for rewarding children to encourage positive behaviour and promote their development. Staff are well informed of the procedures for child protection, they attend regular training. There is an excellent level of partnership with parents and close links with the community. Staff use a variety of methods to inform and involve parents, although contact details for Ofsted are not included in the complaints procedure.

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What is being done well?

• The pre-school values the partnership with parents. Staff inform and involve parents through regular newsletters, individual key workers, social events and questionnaires; parents are fully informed at every level of their child's attendance. • The staff have experience and understanding of children with additional needs, they attend training, link with other agencies, follow play plans and liaise with parents regularly. All staff have learned makaton and show a committed attitude towards inclusion for all children. • Ample and clear documentation is available to provide and maintain children's welfare and safety. Parents have many opportunities to share all records about their children's care and learning. • Staff are well informed of the pre-school's procedures for child protection, they attend regular training and a full section in the port folio is dedicated to child protection. The supervisor ensures that all new parents are aware of the

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What needs to be improved?

• staff involvement with the children during snack time • contact details for Ofsted in the complaints procedure.

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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 Ensure that staff are deployed effectively to manage children during regular routines. 12 Make sure Ofsted contact details are present in 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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