Brixworth Centre Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 22/09/2003 Inspector Name Sarah Measures

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Brixworth Centre Pre-School Setting Address Church Street Brixworth Northamptonshire NN6 9BZ

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Brixworth Centre Pre-School 1027332

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Brixworth Centre Pre-School Address Church Street Brixworth Northampton Northamptonshire NN6 9BZ

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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

Brixworth Centre Pre-school opened approximately 20 years ago. It operates from the church hall in Brixworth and serves the local community. There are currently 29 children from 2 years and 6 months to 4 years on the register. This includes 10 funded 3-year-olds and 2 funded 4-year-olds. Children attend a variety of sessions. The group supports children who have special needs however there are none currently in attendance. There are no children in attendance who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week all year round during term time only. Sessions are from 09:30 until 12:15. A full-time and seven part-time staff work with the children, of which two have early years qualifications and four are currently on training programmes. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

Brixworth Centre Pre-school offers good quality care for children. The pre-school is well organised and staff make every effort to build warm and trusting relationships with children and their parents. Staff are well qualified and work well as a team helping to create an environment where children feel valued and secure. There is a formal system of staff appraisal ensuring staff keep up to date with qualifications and improve upon their practice. The church hall is spacious but is in need of repair and redecoration due to its age. The toilet area in particular is in need of attention. There are plans for renovation work to take place shortly. There is a continuous written system of risk assessment and high staff:child ratios help ensure that children are safe. All staff either have first aid qualifications or are booked on to first aid training courses. The pre-school has built up a good selection of toys and resources that provide

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How good is the Day Care?

children with plenty of choice and promote equality of opportunity. Resources are used creatively to encourage children to use their imagination and activities are well planned to achieve specific learning outcomes. Staff actively encourage children to make the most of the many different learning opportunities available. There is a snack bar system that encourages children to be dependant and also provides opportunity for discussion and socialising in small groups. Children are very well behaved, particularly in large group situations and staff act as good role models and use praise and encouragement to help build up patterns of good behaviour.

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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 Records are well organised and contain good detail. Care is taken to maintain confidentiality and to meet individual and special needs providing reassurance for parents.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the Registered Person agreed to: update the complaints policy to include detalis of the regulator; ensure the water temperature and heating pipes don't pose as hazards to children; make staff clearances available for inspection. The complaints policy now includes Ofsted as the regulatory body and the water in the toilets has been adjusted to meet recommendations. Staff qualifications have been looked at and clearances are available for inspection. Heating pipes are made inaccessible to the children.

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What is being done well?

• Staff are confident in their roles and are well qualified and high staff:child ratios are provided. This helps create a safe environment where there are plenty of staff available to work directly with the children to meet their individual needs and to develop their learning. • There is a formal system of staff appraisal to help staff develop their practice and keep up to date with training issues. • A very good variety of resources and stimulating activities are provided that cover all development areas in many different ways. Staff actively encourage children to make the most of the many different learning opportunities that have been carefully planned and prepared. • The pre-school pays good attention to safety issues. The ongoing system of risk assessment helps ensure that a safe environment is maintained. • There is a snack bar system that is enjoyed by the children whilst encouraging their confidence and independence.

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What is being done well?

• Good effort is made to ensure that individual and special needs are met. This helps keep children safe and makes them feel valued and provides reassurance for parents. • The range of stimulating activities that capture children's interest and the warm and welcoming manner adopted by staff has enabled children to settle into routines very quickly. The confidence of staff and the methods of praise and encouragement used have encouraged children to be well behaved.

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What needs to be improved?

• the suitability of the toilet area used by the children; • the accessibility of the radiators in the toilet area.

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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

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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 4 ensure that the toilet area is suitable for children to use; 4 ensure that radiators in the toilet area are made safe or inaccessible to children.

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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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