Acorn Kids Club

Acorn Kids Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Acorn Kids Club

Unique Reference Number 508452 Inspection date 08 March 2006 Inspector Ann Doubleday

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Acorn Kids Club

Setting Address Green Lane Primary School, Acklam, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS5 7RU Telephone number 01642 277407 E-mail 07944418577 mobile Registered person Acorn Kids Club Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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Acorn Kids Club

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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Acorn Kids Club is a committee run group. It has been registered as a day care provider since 1981 and operates from the hall and dining room within Green Lane Primary School in the Acklam area of Middlesbrough. A maximum of 48 children under 8 years may attend the group at any one time. The club is open each weekday from 07.45 to 08.50 and 15.15 to 17.25 during term-time. There are currently 104 children from 4 to 11 years on roll. All children at the club attend Green Lane Primary school. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

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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 Ten staff work with the children. Six have early years qualifications. Two members of staff are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children begin to learn about the importance of good hygiene practices as they are reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet and all wash their hands before snack time. The effective use of a sick children’s policy, accident and medication procedures enables the children’s health needs to be met. Most of the staff have appropriate first aid certificates. However, the recording of accidents does not always show sufficient detail. Children enjoy a good range of physical activities that contribute to their good health. Activities include opportunities for children to be outdoors on most days. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs. Children are not always offered a healthy diet. Drinks are freely available and a healthy meal is provided at breakfast time. At tea time children are offered a biscuit and drink. This does not give children the option of eating healthy snacks. Individual

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Helping children to be healthy

dietary needs are catered for and staff hold food hygiene certificates.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure and confident in the warm and welcoming environment. Risk assessments are completed and some potential hazards have been identified, however, some electric sockets are accessible; there are some trailing wires in the hall and folded dining tables have sharp edges. This poses a hazard to children. The staff help children understand how to keep themselves safe inside the playrooms. Children move around freely in the child care room and outdoors. They confidently select from a good range of age appropriate resources. Toys are checked regularly to make sure they are clean and safe. Children are satisfactorily protected by staff who have some understanding of child protection policies. They know to report any child protection concerns to the manager, but are not sure of the procedure then to be followed. This means children are not kept fully safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are enthusiastic and self-assured in the welcoming environment. Staff plan a good range of activities and play opportunities, which are purposeful and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 developmentally appropriate and take into account children's individual interests. This results in all children being motivated and interested. Children learn to be increasingly independent as a result of the consistent support, praise and encouragement given to them. Children enjoy attending the club, they are settled and happy and relationships are relaxed and friendly. They talk positively about what they like doing and who they enjoy playing with. Good relationships are evident between the children and the staff. These contribute to the children's sense of belonging. The staff have a sound understanding of child development and this means that children's personal, social and intellectual development are fostered and supported. Staff are deployed effectively to support children's play and sensitively support individual needs. There

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

is a good balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy mutually respectful relationships with the staff and each other. All children are welcomed and staff ensure that they can take part in activities according to their needs and abilities, so that the club is inclusive and welcoming to all children. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through planned activities and resources. Children are well behaved. The staff use positive strategies for managing behaviour. Children are aware of the club's rules. This helps them to learn to understand behaviour boundaries and play harmoniously together. Good relationships are established with parents to help promote children's well-being, development and progress. Parent's views about their children's needs are actively sought before the child starts. Parents are kept verbally informed about their child's day and activities. This enables staff to meet each child's individual

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space is used well to cater for the children's play needs. They are able to move around confidently and independently. Children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. This means they are confident in their play and learning. Required documents are available and stored confidentially, however, the register does not show the times that older children arrive. The detailed policies and procedures in place are shared well with staff to appropriately promote the welfare, care and learning of the children, although, the complaints procedure has not been updated in-line with current guidance. There are effective systems in place for the sharing of information with parents about the service and their child's activities. Adult to child ratios are maintained, and staff work well together as a team. All the

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 staff are experienced in childcare, and most staff have an appropriate childcare qualification. All staff are appropriately vetted, and there are clear recruitment and vetting procedures in place, however, these have not been updated to reflect recent changes to the guidance. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to improve documentation and to complete a risk assessment of the premises. Documentation has improved. There are now clear procedures in place in the event of a child not being collected, a statement on behaviour management including bullying, the complaints procedure includes Ofsted details and the child protection procedures include the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. Consent is now in place for seeking medical advice in an emergency and a visitor record is in place. A risk assessment is in place and most risks have been identified and minimised. This means that safety for children has improved.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by 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

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 satisfactory. 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): • make sure the accident record is completed accurately and contains the necessary information • assess the risks to children in relation to trailing wires, electric sockets and

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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 tables and take action to minimise these • develop staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures • develop procedures in line with new guidance to ensure a record of complaints relating to the national standards and any action taken is kept and to ensure that there are effective procedures in place for checking that staff are suitable to work with children.

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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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