Cranbrook

St Mawes & St Just Under Fives Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 102868 Inspection date 17/02/2011 Inspector Jayne Pascoe

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Setting address St Mawes Recreation Ground, St. Mawes, TRURO, Cornwall, TR2 5AR Telephone number 07814 806660 or 01326 270910 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

St Mawes and St Just Under Fives Group is managed by a voluntary committee made up of parents of children attending the setting. It opened in 1981 and operates from an accessible building situated within St Mawes Recreation Ground, in the village of St Mawes, Cornwall. A maximum of 20 children may attend the group at any one time. Children aged under two and a half years, accompanied by their parents, may also attend the sessions. The group is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00am to 12:00 noon during term time only. All children share access to a secure enclosed play area.

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Description of the setting

The pre-school is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register. There are currently 18 children in the early years age group on roll. Of these, seven receive funding for nursery education. Some children also attend other early years settings. The group employs two members of staff, both have appropriate early years qualifications to an NVQ level 3.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Staff demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. They have developed and implemented generally effective procedures to ensure that children's unique needs are met. However, there is a breach of the legal requirements, as the first aid certificates for both members of staff have expired. The provision shares information effectively with parents through a variety of appropriate methods. They also liaise regularly with other early years agencies, in order to keep up-to-date. Suitable systems for self- evaluation are used to ensure the setting maintains continuous improvement.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 use observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child  maintain coherence of learning and development across different settings and related to the child's experience at home.

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the early years provision

The provision follows generally effective procedures to safeguard the children in their care. However, staff have not updated their first aid training as required. They are now enrolled onto a suitable course. They have developed suitable This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 written risk assessments, which are used to maintain children's safety and security. These are regularly reviewed and updated as required. Children are closely supervised at all times and are protected from unvetted persons. Staff demonstrate confidence in their ability to identify, record and report any child protection concerns, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Children are developing their awareness of maintaining their own safety, as they regularly practice regular emergency evacuation procedures with the adults. The premises have recently been improved indoors and out. As a result, children now

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the early years provision

benefit from a warm, welcoming and enabling indoor and outdoor environment. They are able to independently and freely select favourite toys, take themselves to the toilet and store personal items on individual coat pegs and on accessible shelving for safe keeping. Therefore, children are developing a sound sense of belonging and are able to take responsibility for keeping their belongings and the environment tidy.

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the early years provision

Children are able to initiate play and engage in adult led activities based upon their unique preferences, interests and abilities, which are identified and respected by staff. Appropriate opportunities are provided for children to explore their own cultures and beliefs and those of others. Positive partnerships have been established with parents, who are fully included, very supportive and actively involved in their children's learning. However, links with other early years providers are yet to be fully established. A range of written policies and procedures, contracts and consents are currently being updated and are used to agree and maintain appropriate practice. Staff are in the process of reviewing their systems for the assessment of children's progress. These currently include evidence of children's achievements through an interesting range of photographs, short written reviews and examples of children's work. However, these are yet celebrated

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the early years provision

regularly with parents and linked to future planning, in order to provide appropriate opportunities for children to make continuous progress in their learning and development. Staff recognise the benefits of reflecting upon their practice and have recently implemented formal systems for self-evaluation, in order to drive further improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and content in the care of staff. They have formed strong and trusting relationships with adults and other children. Children enter the setting enthusiastically and separate from their parent easily. They follow the good examples set by staff and are polite, kind and helpful. They demonstrate good social skills and are well mannered. Parents of the younger children stay to support them for as long as is required. This effectively promotes a smooth transition for these children into pre-school life. Children chatter happily with adults and other children. They communicate very effectively through facial expression, body language and vocabulary. Children make patterns with paint and coloured pencils and older children are in the early stages of writing, as they are beginning to form recognisable letters. Children self-register using name cards. They select favourite books for personal enjoyment and to share with others. They are beginning to

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understand that print carries meaning and is an effective method of communication.

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and outcomes for children

Children successfully share, cooperate and negotiate to maintain harmonious play. They are developing their numeracy skills through adding and subtracting when singing favourite counting songs. They complete increasingly complex puzzles with adult support. Some children are confident to count up to ten and beyond, recognise numerals and the associated number of objects and use their numeracy skills to share items and toys fairly between their groups of friends. Children regularly participate in painting activities, collage, play dough, sensory play, role play, music and dance. Their art work is attractively displayed for all to value and admire. Children are able to express themselves freely through a wide range of mediums.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore the local community as they enjoy nature trails and visit local places of interest. They are skilful in their use of programmable and interactive toys and computer equipment. Children have recently celebrated Chinese New Year and use a suitable range of toys, resources and visual aids with which to develop a positive respect and awareness of their own cultures, beliefs and abilities and those of others. Children are developing their awareness of sustainability, as they collect used packaging to make junk models and grow fruit and vegetables in their garden. Children move freely and confidently indoors and out. They can slide and climb on indoor equipment and enjoy a vast array of play equipment outdoors. They run and play ball games in the secure tennis court, ride bikes in the enclosed pre-school garden and have regular use of a well equipped and well maintained play area. Children benefit from daily opportunities for fresh air and physical

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and outcomes for children

exercise. They enjoy snacks of toast and a selection of fresh fruits in sufficient quantities for their individual needs. They follow good health and hygiene practices. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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