Beck Row Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 23/02/2004 Inspector Name Dawn Nicole Pointer

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Beck Row Pre-school Setting Address Mobile Classroom, Lamble Close Beck Row Bury St. Edmunds Suffolk IP28 8AF

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Beck Row Pre School 1001676

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Beck Row Pre School Address Mobile Classroom Lamble Close Beck Row Bury St. Edmunds Suffolk IP28 8AF

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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

Beck Row Pre-school has been operating for many years from a mobile premises within the grounds of the local primary school, in Beck Row, Suffolk. The group is committee run and is registered to provide sessional care for up to 24 children aged from two to under five years. Funded three and four-year-olds are accepted. The pre-school serves the local area, including families from the American airbase and the travelling community. The group is open five days a week during term time only, from 09:00 until 11:45 and from 13:30 until 15:30. No children with special needs or who have English as an additional language currently attend. Three staff work with the children on a regular basis and the supervisor and the assistant supervisor both have the Diploma in Pre-school Practice. Additional support is provided by a volunteer and relief staff.

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How good is the Day Care?

Beck Row Pre-school provides good quality care for children. The premises are warm and welcoming to children and their parents. Equipment and furniture is child sized and easily accessible to the children. The consistent staff team work cohesively and know the children well. The pre-school leader and assistant leader hold recognised qualifications and have supplemented these qualifications with many short courses over the past ten years. The third member of staff has attended many short courses too. There is an excellent range of resources and appropriate planning of activities contributes to children's overall learning and development. Staff relate extremely well to the children, manage their behaviour effectively and create a relaxed environment where children are happy and settled. The group have compiled staff files, which include all relevant documentation, however the information is not well organised or

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How good is the Day Care?

easy to access. There are written policies and procedures in place, which are currently in draft, the group are planning to review the special needs policy, which is out of date and there is no policy available regarding sick children. Staff are vigilant around children's safety, however the temperature of the guards protecting the heaters is very high and is a hazard to the children. There is an

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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 enclosed outdoor area, which is suitable for use. The pre-school also has use of the primary school hall and an open tarmac area for physical play, however the tarmac area is not included within their risk assessments. Children's individual needs are recognised and acted upon by staff. Staff have recently attended training in child protection and the knowledge they have gained contributes to children's safety. There is an effective partnership with parents involving a daily exchange of information to ensure the children are cared for appropriately.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the pre-school was asked to provide an action plan, which met health and safety regulations, to ensure children's privacy when using the communal toilets. They were asked to provide an action plan, detailing how they would make the premises secure. In addition they were asked to ensure fire drills comply with the fire safety requirements and to include the fire drill in the policies. They were also asked to produce a statement which covered children who fall ill during the session and to obtain consent from parents to seek any medical advice or treatment in the future. Finally they were asked to ensure that the register complied with the National Standards. The pre-school has thought about privacy for the children and children are able to access the toilets independently if they wish. Advice has been sought from the Environmental Health department concerning the need to provide partition toilet

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What has improved since the last inspection?

doors, but this is not felt necessary due to the age of the children attending the pre-school. Although there is a buzzer on the entrance door to alert staff and staff are very vigilant with monitoring the children, as yet no further progress has been made with regard to making the premises more secure. Fire drills have been recorded accurately and are detailed in the policies and the fire procedure is displayed on the walls within the pre-school. The pre-school have included detail in the policies, which covers children who fall ill and have now gained written consent from parents for seeking any medical advice or treatment. Finally the way children's attendance is recorded has been improved but there are a few occasions when detail in the register has not been fully completed.

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What is being done well?

• Adult to child ratios are enhanced by support from a well established volunteer helper and a relief member of staff, who attend the group on a regular basis. Staff skills are used to the maximum effect, with the supervisor playing the keyboard during the music session and involving all the children. • Children's knowledge and understanding of real life situations is constantly developed with visual aids and lots of discussion, covering a broad range of topics such as the weather, teeth and different vegetables. Children are

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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 interested and involved in their play and both children and staff are having fun. • Staff are good role models to the children. They offer praise and encouragement throughout the session. Staff remind children about right and wrong and are confident to challenge negative behaviour in a sensitive and appropriate manner. Staff have high expectations of the children's behaviour and as a result behaviour is good. • Partnership with parents is good. There is a well organised display board for parents, which includes a range of valuable information. Parents have commented positively about the care their children receive whilst at the pre-school.

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What needs to be improved?

• the organisation of staff files and the accuracy of the register • the safety of the heater guards and the way the tarmac area is used • the security of the premises • approval of and amendment to the draft policies and procedures.

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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 Re-organise staff records to ensure that individual files are kept for each member of staff and maintain an accurate register. 6 Reconsider the use of the current heater guards within the premises and the use of the large outside play area and include these in the group’s risk assessment. 6 Improve security of the premises in line with any advice which is given by

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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 the fire safety officer. 14 Approve the group’s draft policies and procedures and ensure that they accurately reflect practice within the pre-school; this includes updating the special needs policy and ensuring the sickness policy is in place.

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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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