Mudeford Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 03/10/2003 Inspector Name Anne Scott

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Mudeford Pre-School Setting Address Methodist Church Hall Christchurch Dorset BH23 3HQ

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Mudeford Pre-School Playgroup opened under it's current ownership in September 1999. It operates from a large room in the Methodist community hall, adjacent to the local infant's school, in Mudeford, approximately one mile from Christchurch centre. The pre-school serves the local area and is registered to provide care for 24 children aged three-under five years. There are currently 26 children on roll. This includes 22 funded three year olds. There are currently no funded four year olds attending.

p.2

Information about the setting

Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group supports children with special needs, and children for whom English is an additional language. The playgroup opens five days a week, during school term times. Sessions are from 08.45-11.45 during the autumn term. During the spring and summer term, the pre-school opens for two additional afternoon sessions from 12.15-14.45 on a Tuesday and Thursday. Seven staff work directly with the children. Five staff hold early years qualifications. .Three members of staff are currently on training programmes. The setting receives support from the advisory teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Mudeford Pre-School Playgroup provides good quality care for children, and the staff have a sound knowledge of the National Standards. Staff provide a safe and secure environment, and actively promote good personal hygiene in the children. There is a high staff ratio, to support children of all ages and abilities effectively, and staff interact really well with the children. There is an excellent range of well maintained resources, including positive images of cultural diversity, and staff will increase these

p.2

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 to include positive images of disability. The well planned activities support and encourage children's all round development. The setting has an effective behaviour management policy in place. Staff are good role models, and manage children's behaviour in a consistent and positive way. There are excellent procedures in place to gain detailed information about children's individual needs, and children with special needs are well supported. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents, although the child protection policy requires additional information, and consideration needs to be given to the recording of accidents, to ensure confidentiality. Parents are given good information about the setting, and staff liaise effectively with

p.2

What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the registered person agreed to ensure low level glass, and locks on toilet doors, are made safe to children. The registered person also agreed to ensure staff have knowledge and understanding of the local area child protection procedures, and to gain written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The setting has made good progress. Safety issues have been addressed. Staff are now familiar with child protection procedures and written parental consent is in place for every child.

p.3

What is being done well?

• A high staff ratio ensures that children of all ages and abilities are well supported. • There is an excellent range of well planned activities and resources that support and encourage children's development in all areas. Staff interaction, at the children's level of understanding encourages and extends their vocabulary. • Staff work hard to ensure the environment is inviting and attractive to young children. There is an extensive range of good quality and well maintained play resources, including positive images of cultural diversity. • There are excellent procedures in place to gain detailed information about children's individual needs, and children with special needs are well supported. • Children's behaviour is very good. There is an effective behaviour management policy, and staff are good role models. • Parents are given good information about the setting, and staff liaise effectively with them about their children's progress.

p.3

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

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the recording of accidents to ensure confidentiality is maintained • play resources that provide positive images of disability • the child protection policy to include a procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff.

p.4

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.

p.4

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 9 Increase play resources that provide positive images of disability. 13 Ensure the child protection policy includes a procedure to follow in the event of allegation being made against a member of staff.

p.4

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

p.4

How effective is the nursery education?

Mudeford Preschool offers very good quality nursery education where children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good, staff have clear understanding of the early learning goals and use effective questioning to enable children to progress in their learning. Their good use of assessment ensures successful planning. The preschool provides a welcoming inviting environment where children can learn through stimulating play and learning opportunities. All equipment and resources are accessible to the children. Children are developing good relationships with staff and each other. Children are very confident and well behaved, they relate well to their peers and staff. Leadership and management of the nursery is very good. Excellent procedures including formal annual appraisal of the setting to assess and monitor provision. The staff work well together as a team, they are committed to providing excellent care

p.5

How effective is the nursery education?

and education for all children. Partnership with parents is very good. Parents receive detailed information in the prospectus and comprehensive information folder. Excellent methods used to keep parents well informed of their children's progress including home link diary, newsletters, daily verbal discussions. Parents feel totally involved in their children's learning.

p.5

What is being done well?

• Children's behaviour is very good, they show respect for adults and other children, demonstrating ability to cooperate and share with their peers in their play. They are enthusiastic, motivated, and involved in their learning. • The preschool provides a welcoming, inviting environment where children can learn through stimulating play and learning opportunities. All equipment and resources are accessible to the children. • Children have opportunities to use their imagination in a variety of ways through role play, craft, music, movement and drama. They have excellent opportunities to explore and use a wide range of resources. • Staff have clear understanding of the early learning goals and use effective questioning to enable children to progress in their learning. Their good use of assessment ensures successful planning.

p.5

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 • extend opportunities for children to become familiar and recognise print on everyday objects.

p.5

What has improved since the last inspection?

The setting has made excellent progress since the last inspection. Staff develop children's sense of time and place through planning interesting projects and visitors to the group. They complete detailed assessments on the children which are used in planning to ensure all children are progressing.

p.6

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

p.6

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are motivated, enthusiastic and eager to learn through wide range of interesting activities. The children are very confident and well behaved, they relate well to their peers and staff. They are keen to share and take turns. They are developing a sense of community through visitors to the group and imaginative projects.

p.7

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children speak confidently during the session, both on an individual level and during group circle time. They have opportunities to develop their skills and use writing for a purpose in the role play areas. Children can recognise their own names, some are able to write them, lots of opportunities to make marks. However staff could extend opportunities for children to become familiar and recognise print on everyday objects.

p.7

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good The majority of children confidently count to 5 and others beyond. They often spontaneously count during play. Children are beginning to recognise shapes in play materials and in their environment, and children use appropriate language to describe shape and size.

p.7

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children have excellent opportunities to explore and investigate through interesting projects. They have use of programmable toys and technology in every day activities. Children are learning about their own community and wider world through stimulating projects and visitors to the group.

p.7

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently about their play spaces during music and movement having respect for each other. They use a wide range of small tools, including scissors, rolling pin, cutters and writing tools with confidence. Children learn about healthy eating through interesting projects.

p.7

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

p.7

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have fantastic opportunities through role play, drama, music and movement to use their imagination. They are good at developing their own ideas, and sustained involvement in child initiated role play activities. The children have lots of opportunities to explore colour and textures through a variety of mediums.

p.8

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

p.8

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.

p.9

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 weakness to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following; • extend opportunities for children to become familiar and recognise print on everyday objects.

p.9

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.

p.9

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

p.9

STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

p.10

NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.11

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.

p.11

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.

p.11

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.

p.11

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

p.11