Weston Wombats

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 20/04/2004 Inspector Name Lesley Jane Bott

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name WESTON WOMBATS Setting Address VILLAGE HALL THE GREEN,WESTON STAFFORD STAFFORDSHIRE

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of WESTON WOMBATS PLAYGROUP COMMITTEE

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name WESTON WOMBATS PLAYGROUP COMMITTEE Address The Village Hall The Green, Weston Stafford Staffordshire ST18 0JH

p.1

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

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

Weston Wombats Pre-School Playgroup opened in 1992. It operates from the Village Hall in Weston, Stafford having access to large hall, enclosed outside play area, toilets and kitchen facility. The playgroup serves the local area. There are currently 24 children on the roll from 2-5years. This includes 6 funded three year olds and one four year old. Children attend a variety of sessions. The group opens three days a week during school term times, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Sessions are from 9.30am - 12.00pm. Three part-time staff and one full time staff work with the children. One has an early years qualification, and two are currently working towards NVQ 3. The setting receives support from a teacher/mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

p.2

How good is the Day Care?

Weston Wombats provides good care for children. The setting is safe, clean and tidy. Children have clear routines that help them feel secure and provide them with opportunities to extend their personal independence. Safety is emphasised at all times. A good range of toys and equipment for children is available, which they can choose themselves and routine includes child and adult led play. Staff need to extend and develop play on promoting positive images within the areas of culture and equal opportunities. Staff know the children well and are aware of their individual needs. Good hygiene procedures are in place with the children and they are encouraged to wash hands before snack time. Relationships are very good with parents, and playgroup has a friendly business like approach to policies and paperwork. Further development are needed on the

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 procedures for lost or uncollected children policy and child protection. There are clear behaviour procedures and these are understood by parents and children.

p.2

What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection three recommendations were raised, all of these have been addressed and evidence of this was seen during the inspection. All staff are now more aware of children's dietary needs, and complaints procedure is displayed on notice board for parents to read at any time.

p.3

What is being done well?

• Good use made of hall and available space inside and out. The room is laid out to allow children easy access to toys and equipment. • Children have opportunity to be involved in a wide range of activities,, they are given choices and allowed to bring toys in from home. • Children given opportunity to develop their personal independence at snack time, and water during session. • Children given choice at food and drink, and water available at all times.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• introduce procedure for lost or uncollected children • Provide an action plan to show how at least 50% of all staff will be qualified in child care • amend child protection policy to include procedures if allegations are made against staff • ensure resources promote equality and reflect positive images of culture.

p.3

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.3

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE 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.3

The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 14 Introduce a procedure for lost or uncollected children. 30/06/2004

p.4

The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

13 Ensure that Child Protection Procedures include a statement of what action is to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. 30/06/2004

p.4

by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 2 Develop an action plan which sets out how at least half of all childcare staff will hold a level 2 qualification in childcare. 7 Request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. 9 Ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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?

Weston Wombats offers good quality provision overall which helps children make generally good progress towards the Early Learning goals. Children make very good progress in physical, creative personal, social and emotional development and generally good progress in, communication language and literacy, mathematics and knowledge and understanding of the world. Teaching is generally good. The key strengths in three of the six areas of learning are due to the strong staff team and skilful interactions of the staff in engaging children in conversations and encouraging self esteem. Staff's developing knowledge of the foundation stage enables them to organise their planning around the children's needs. Although circle time needs to be adjusted to become more appropriate to the age/stage development of the current children in the setting. Children are encouraged to express their ideas and thoughts verbally, the daily

p.5

How effective is the nursery education?

routines for to develop their mathematical understanding is missed and children do not always have opportunity to know and learn about other cultures. The assessment and planning of children's learning is generally good. However, children's initial assaessments need to be developed. Children behave. The nursery has a good range of equipment to cover most areas of learning. Leadership and management is generally good. The staff are committed to training and work well as a group. They assess their own strengths and weaknesses, but need to include more detail into their evaluation of activities. The partnership with parents is generally good. Parents are kept informed of their children's activities and forthcoming topics. They are encouraged to become involved in their children's activities. There is no formal procedure to inform parents on their child's progress or achievements.

p.5

What is being done well?

• Staff work well together as a team to provide a warm, friendly environment. Good partnership's exist with parents. • Children are independent and able to take care of their own personal needs. • Relationships between children and staff are good. Children are developing self confidence and are keen to learn.

p.5

What needs to be improved?

• improve resources in respect of equal opportunities to ensure children have opportunity to experience different lifestyles and festivals

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 • arrange use of routine times to develop and reinforce mathematical learning • further develop opportunities for children to enable them to develop their writing skills.

p.5

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 interested, excited and motivated to learn. They willingly try new activities and work well together. Children behave well and have good relationships with staff and each other. Children have an increasing level of confidence with their personal independence.

p.7

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children are beginning to make marks on paper and link sounds, older children can write their name. Children use descriptive language to express feelings and discuss elements of stories and their experiences, however, they have limited opportunities to recognise their own name.

p.7

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Younger children use and understand numbers up to 10 and older children beyond this. They use appropriate language to compare and describe shape and size. However, they do not have opportunity to develop sense of calculation and relate to addition and subtraction. Children are not given opportunity to reinforce their understanding of maths during daily routines and activities.

p.7

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children use all senses to explore. They ask questions on how things work and why things happen. Children talk about their environment and community. Programmable toys are available to support children's learning. However, they are not always able to progress with their knowledge of the world due to limitation of resources.

p.7

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently with control and co-ordination. they have a sense of space and are aware of their own physical needs. Children are increasing in confidence when using a range of small and large equipment. Children have a developing sense of their own needs with regard to the effects on their bodies of eating and good hygiene practice.

p.7

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children excitedly explore different textures, shape and form. The children are involved with their role play and organise their own games. Children sing songs and say rhymes from memory and freely express ideas.

p.7

CREATIVE 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

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 good quality overall. Children are making generally 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: THE KEY ISSUES

• Key Issues • Evaluate and improve the use of daily routines to consolidate the children's mathematical development. • Improve planning to ensure that it is broad and balanced over time, in the areas of knowledge and understanding of the world and communication and literacy.

p.9

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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: THE KEY ISSUES

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