The Ursuline Prep School Ilford

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 19/01/2004 Inspector Name Linda May Marie Willoughby

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Stepping Stones Pre-School Setting Address Parish Rooms Falmouth Road, Chacewater Truro Cornwall TR4 8PZ

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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 in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

Stepping Stones Pre-School opened in 1995. It operates from the Parish rooms in the village of Chacewater. The Pre-School is in a rural setting and accepts children from the village and surrounding area. There are currently 27 children aged from 2 to 5 years on role. This includes 13 funded 3 year olds and 4 funded 4 year olds. Children attend a variety of sessions. The setting does not currently support children with special needs or children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens 5 days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 8:00 until 17:30 There are 2 part-time and 2 full-time staff who work with the children. Three have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3, and 1 member of staff holds qualified teacher status. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership The setting is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

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Information about the setting

The setting has close links with Chacewater Primary School.

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How good is the Day Care?

The Stepping Stones Pre-school provides good care for children. They have qualified staff that are committed to ongoing training and development. They provide good ratio of staff that are deployed effectively in supporting children. The premises are welcoming and staff pay careful attention to the children's safety and supervision. There is a balanced range of resources that meets the needs of most children. Records are up to date with one minor omission with regards to staff attendance and stored securely. The pre-school provision addresses most aspects of safety adequately. Emergency evacuation procedures are in place and regular fire drills are carried out. However documentation of regular risks assessments are not kept. Staff pay attention to

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 children's personal hygiene, children are supervised in hand washing at appropriate times, however there is no policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious. Healthy snacks are provided and fresh drinking water is always available. Children are included and supported well. Staff are aware of the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child, guidelines are displayed. However the child protection policy has not been revised. The pre-school offers a good range of activities and equipment that is organised, clean and safe. There is good interaction between staff and children, staff support children's individual needs well. Staff install values such as good manners and self discipline in the children. Children are praised for their achievements which also

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How good is the Day Care?

promotes good behaviour. There are good relationships with parents, parents speak highly of the pre-school. They are kept well informed of their children's progress by daily discussions, notice board and letter. However parents are not informed of the name, address and contact number of the regulator should they wish to make a complaint.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the setting agreed to obtain parental consent for off site visits, designate a staff member to increase awareness of child protection issues, increase resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. Make sure that fridge and microwave are inaccessible to children, ensure the kitchen conforms to Environment Health Office regulations and make all points of entry to the building secure. The pre-school has met all the raised actions. They have devised a form for outings, and a staff member has attended an appropriate child protection course. They have increased resources to reflect diversity, and ensured fridge and microwave are inaccessible to children. The Environmental Health Officer has visited, children bring pack lunches and the entrance door to the provision is kept secured during sessions.

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What is being done well?

• All staff are qualified and committed to ongoing training and development. • The pre-school is organised well to meet the needs of children attending, equipment is clean and safe, children are occupied and interested in the activities provided. • Staff work well as a team to provide a caring environment for children. • Children are offered a high level of support, as a result children demonstrate good levels of behaviour.

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What needs to be improved?

• the staff registration system to include times of arrivals and departures

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • the recording of regular risk assessments • the policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious • the child protection policy • the written complaints procedures to include the address and telephone number of the regulator.

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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 make sure registration systems includes staff attendance on a daily basis 6 conduct regular risk assessment on the premises identifying action to be taken to minimize identified risks. 7 devise and implement a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious and make sure parents are made aware of it 12 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint 13 make sure child protection statement is based on 'what to do if you are worried a child is being abused' summary.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

Stepping Stones preschool offers high quality nursery education where children enjoy learning through a varied range of activities. Effective teaching helps children make very good progress towards the early learning goals. Teaching is very good. Staff have a good understanding of how children learn which enables them to plan and provide a practical range of activities that cover all areas of learning. Sessions are very well organised. Staff have made good use of the space available and also make effective use of facilities at the local primary school. Children are very confident and well behaved. They have good relationships with staff and each other. Children play well together and are interested and involved in their learning. They show high levels of concentration and perseverance at their chosen activities. Children use language skills well. They join in at circle and story time and are able to

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How effective is the nursery education?

express their ideas well. Children learn about shape as they sort and match shapes during practical activities. They can recognise numerals and count. Children have good skills when using the computer. Children use their imagination well in role play but they do not have regular opportunities to express themselves freely in art and design and through music. Leadership and management are very good. Staff are well qualified and committed to ongoing training. They work very well as a team. They are all aware of their roles and responsibilities making the sessions run very well. Staff know individual children well. They make regular observations of children's progress and use this to inform their planning. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are provided with good quality information on initial entry to the setting. They are kept well informed about topics and ongoing events. They have opportunities for both formal and informal meetings

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How effective is the nursery education?

with staff members. Ongoing information about progress at home is not always used to inform planning.

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What is being done well?

• Leadership and management are very good. Staff work very well together as a team. They all have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities which makes sessions run very well. Staff make effective use of advice and support from outside agencies and use this to develop their practice. • Children are very confident and well behaved. They have good relationships with staff and each other. Staff have high expectations for behaviour. They put in place clear structures and routines and as a result children behave well.

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • Children's spoken language is developing well. They use language skills effectively to express their ideas when describing a drawing, and to contribute answers at circle and story time. • Staff have a good understanding of how children learn. They plan and provide a practical range of activities that cover all areas of learning. Sessions are organised well. • The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are provided with good quality information on initial entry to the setting. They are kept well informed about their child's progress through formal and informal meetings with staff members.

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What needs to be improved?

• the use of parents observations and information about their child, to inform future planning; • the opportunities for children to use their imagination and express their own ideas through art and design and music.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The setting has made very good progress since the last inspection. Planning is now guided by effective assessment of children, and activities provide challenge for the more able. Children now have regular access to a computer and other programmable toys. They have use of a computer at the setting for individual learning, and timetabled use of the computer suite at the local primary school where they can learn as a group. Children have daily opportunities to express themselves through role play and access to a range of creative materials. Staff and children have developed a sound machine where children enjoy exploring the link between the name and the sound of letters. A letter of the week has been introduced and this is reinforced daily. Children are beginning to sound out simple words. They have daily opportunities to write and some children are able to write their name.

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What has improved since the last 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children show good levels of concentration and perseverance at their chosen activity. They play well together and show interest and enjoyment in their learning. They have good relationships with staff and each other. They are becoming independent with personal care and show very good skills when the dress and undress for physical play.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident speakers. They talk confidently to adults and each other. They are able to express ideas well. Children are exploring the link between sounds and letters. They are learning about books and how to handle them appropriately. They enjoy listening to stories. Children have opportunities to practice writing skills and some children are able to write their own name.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children learn about shape and size as they sort and match shapes, complete jigsaws and construct with bricks. They can count confidently and they practice these skills during practical everyday routines. Children are learning to recognise numerals. They show an understanding of addition and subtraction as they deduct numbers while singing familiar nursery rhymes and they combine two numbers to make one.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children have very good skills when using the computer. They confidently use the mouse when operating simple computer programmes. Children learn a sense of time when they plant seeds and observe the changes as they grow. Children demonstrate good cutting and joining skills when they make models of machines. They learn about the wider world through pictures, stories and practical activities.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move with confidence and control. They show good spatial awareness as they negotiate obstacles both inside and out. They have good balancing skills as they walk across beams and down benches. They use their imagination well when thinking of different ways to climb and roll. Children learn about health and safety as they discuss safe practice when using large equipment. They are skilled when handling small tools such as scissors, glue sticks and pencils.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy role play and engage in this with enthusiasm and interest. They talk through ideas and develop stories. They learn to recognise colour as they focus on a colour of the week and reinforce this in drawings and paintings. They use their senses to explore a range of materials. They do not have regular opportunities to express their own ideas and use their imagination in art and design and through music.

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • There are no significant weaknesses to address, but consideration should be given to improving the following: • use ongoing information and observations from parents to inform future planning. • increase the opportunities for children to express their own ideas and use their imagination in art and design and through music.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 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; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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