Woodlands Meed

Wickwar Out Of School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Wickwar Out Of School Club

Unique Reference Number 136114 Inspection date 07 March 2006 Inspector Angela Cole

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Wickwar Out Of School Club

Setting Address Community Centre, Honeybourne Way,Wickwar, Wickwar, South Glos., GL12 8NH Telephone number 01454 294946

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E-mail

Registered person Wickwar Out of School Club Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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E-mail

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 THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Wickwar Out of School Club opened in 1998 and operates from a community room attached to the school in Wickwar. It is situated in the centre of the village. The club is open each weekday from 07.50 to 08.50 and 15.30 to 18.00 during term time and from 08.30 to 16.00 during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays. The children have access to an enclosed, outdoor play area. There are currently 66 children aged from 4 to 11 years on roll. Children are taken to and collected from the adjacent primary school. The club currently supports a number of children with special educational needs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 group employs five permanent staff and all of these hold appropriate early years qualifications. Of these, three members of staff are working towards a further qualification, including playwork.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from the cleanliness and comfortable warmth of the premises. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene habits through established routines for hand washing. Effective procedures, such as daily cleaning, sustain high levels of hygiene and help prevent the spread of infection. Those who become ill are well cared for and the risk of cross infection is minimised as parents are immediately informed if children feel ill during the session. Children receive good continuity of care through the sharing of information with parents about accidents and medication. The children have regular opportunities for exercise during timetabled sessions in the gymnasium. For example, they enthusiastically join in team games, such as balloon volleyball. During better weather, they spend much time in the fresh air playing with an effective range of physical equipment and quieter activities taken outside.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a good awareness of healthy eating. Drinking water is always available and they choose milk or water for their snack, early in the afternoon session. They help themselves to a wide choice of nutritious food in ample quantities. They enjoy varied, well presented snacks that comply with all special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe in the child-friendly, well-maintained environment. They play safely as staff take appropriate, practical steps to minimise potential hazards, for example when the premises are used by other community groups. A general assessment of risk is only partially included in the health and safety policy. The children have safe access to appropriate toys and equipment that staff check each day as they space these out around the play area. They choose alternative toys and games from easily accessible cupboards in the community room. Items such as sewing needles are used safely in a quiet corner of the room. Children gain a good awareness of how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know the premises are secure and are reminded by staff why they must not leave before their parents. They regularly practice evacuating the building in an emergency. Children’s welfare and safety is promoted through the staff’s knowledge and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of relevant issues and procedures. For example, they all hold current first aid and child protection certificates and have a sound knowledge of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. The staff’s clear understanding of child

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 protection issues is underpinned by a comprehensive policy with procedures to support them to take appropriate action in the event of any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a varied routine and the range of resources and experiences that effectively encourage their learning and knowledge. They are fully involved in a wide range of interesting and exciting activities and have plenty of time for listening and talking. The children informally contribute to the planning of daily and holiday activities. These sometimes follow seasonal celebrations, such as pancake day. They are free to choose from a good variety of activities and toys. These include games, small-world play and outside physical activities. They participate at their own level, for example in sewing, drawing, cutting and sticking. They welcome visitors, including a vet who brings a dog and a snake for the children to handle. Children receive good support from staff to attend school clubs and are transported to activities held by other organisations in the village and church halls.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff play enthusiastically with the children and respect their needs and opinions. They sit with them and take an interest in what they have to say. They respond if the child appears to need help and talk to them in relaxed conversations, asking appropriate questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle quickly and make themselves at home in the familiar surroundings. They receive a warm greeting and respond positively to the staffs' friendly and caring approach. They usually play well together, with older children caring for younger ones, and understand the need for sharing and taking turns. Children generally behave well, reassured by the staff’s consistent and skilful approach to managing minor disruptions. They are aware of the clear rules in place and receive praise for good behaviour. The club provides an environment that positively recognises the differences between the children. For example, children with special needs receive individual support that enables them to join in all activities as they wish. All children gain an appropriate awareness of the wider world, for example through working together on group collages of different faces. Children’s individual needs are well met as a result of the positive partnership

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Helping children make a positive contribution

between parents and staff. The thorough, initial sharing of information between parents and staff enhances their settling and development. Continuity of care for children is supported through the effective procedures to exchange information between the school, the out-of-school club and parents. These ensure that children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The out-of-school provision is well organised. There are sound systems for appointing and vetting staff and good systems to ensure their continuing suitability. All the permanent staff are qualified and well experienced in the care of children. Parents receive regular information about their child’s progress and wellbeing so concerns are discussed as they arise. The operational plan works well in practice. Good use is made of the space available to provide variety for the children both indoors and outdoors. The adults work with the children all of the time and ensure the children are grouped appropriately. The children choose who they will sit with at mealtimes and for quieter activities. In the gymnasium, teams are randomly selected so there is no favouritism and all are well included. Most of the required paperwork is in place, including detailed registers for the children. The setting has a log to record any complaint and this is compliant with

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Organisation

Ofsted’s requirements. The club has effective written policies that are being revised in turn and these are easily available to parents. The provider meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection required the club to extend its policies and recommended that the staff improved their qualifications and the procedures to register the children. The club has developed and adopted sound procedures regarding the children's welfare should a child become lost or not be collected. In order to foster the children's care and development, the adults have undertaken an extensive programme of training. All permanent members of staff are now qualified and some continue to work towards a further qualification in childcare and education or playwork.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection / since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE 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 On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • record the assessment of risks to children in relation to the premises and children's activities and the actions taken to minimise these.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the 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

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