Dickens Heath Community Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/05/2004 Inspector Name Gillian Little

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Charlton Acorns Pre-School Setting Address Charlton Village Road Charlton Wantage Oxfordshire OX12 7HG

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Charlton Acorns Pre-School

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Charlton Acorns Pre-School Address Charlton Village Road Charlton Wantage Oxfordshire OX12 7HG

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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

Charlton Acorns Pre-school originally opened in 1968. It operates from its own building in the grounds of Charlton Primary School, on the outskirts of Wantage. The pre-school serves Wantage and surrounding villages and is managed by a parent committee. There are currently 53 children from 2 to 5 years on roll. This includes funded three and four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports children with special needs. There are currently no children who speak English as an additional language attending. The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:00 until 11:45 and from 12:45 until 15:15. There are seven members of staff working with the children on a rota basis. Six staff have an early years qualification to NVQ level 2 or 3. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

The pre-school provides good quality care for children. There are appropriate procedures in place for employing and checking staff. There are high staff to child ratios and a high proportion of qualified staff. The premises are well maintained and provide a welcoming, safe and secure environment. There is a suitable range of safe and clean toys and resources. There are detailed policies in place which are carried out effectively and all the regulatory paperwork is kept appropriately. The staff ensure that children are safe at all times. The staff implement hygiene procedures which are generally satisfactory and help the children to learn about health and hygiene. The pre-school provides children with regular snacks and drinks which are healthy and nutritious. There are effective procedures in place to deal with child protection concerns. The pre-school offers an appropriate range of activities across all learning areas.

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How good is the Day Care?

Staff know children well and are able to meet their individual needs. Staff spend their time playing with and talking to the children which helps to develop good relationships. The pre-school promotes equal opportunities for staff and children. The staff help children to learn about people in the world around them through

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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 suitable topics, displays and resources. The pre-school promotes the welfare and development of children with special needs and staff have suitable training. Staff use suitable methods to deal with difficult behaviour. They recognise and praise positive behaviour. The pre-school develops good partnerships with parents and keeps them informed of their children's progress.

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What is being done well?

• The committee and staff of the pre-school are well organised which enables the smooth and effective running of the group. The staff work well as a team and are well deployed around the premises. There is a high number of qualified staff and all staff have regular opportunities for on-going training. There are high staff to child ratios so that children receive appropriate care and attention. The group has a good range of policies in place which are carried out effectively and reviewed annually. • The pre-school provides an appropriate range of activities for children including: books, puzzles, games, imaginative play, art and craft, construction toys, outdoor play and outings. The children have lots of choice over what they would like to do and staff are on hand to support them as necessary. The staff are kind, patient and caring. They spend their time playing with the children and talking to them. This helps the children to focus on their activities

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What is being done well?

and support them in developing a range of skills. • The staff encourage children to behave positively. They maintain a calm and relaxed environment and give the children lots of praise and encouragement. They keep the children busy and spend a lot of time with them which helps to prevent difficult behaviour. They use appropriate strategies to deal with difficult behaviour when necessary. They discuss issues with parents as appropriate. • The staff know children well and are aware of their individual needs. They are quick to respond to children who need help or reassurance. They gain valuable information from parents about children's backgrounds, their likes and dislikes. This helps them to provide appropriate care. The staff are able to identify and assess children who have special needs. They liaise with parents and outside agencies as appropriate and seek additional staffing if this is necessary.

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What needs to be improved?

• procedures for children to dry their hands.

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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 7 Ensure that all children are able to dry their hands hygienically.

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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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