Children's Choice Childcare

Children's Choice Childcare

Inspection report for early years provision

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Children's Choice Childcare

Unique Reference Number EY315708 Inspection date 26 April 2006 Inspector Glynis Margaret Kite

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Children's Choice Childcare

Setting Address Victoria Park Infant School, Henshaw Street, Stretford, Manchester, Lancashire, M32 8BU Telephone number 0161 865 4788 E-mail victoriaparkinf.admin@trafford.gov.uk Registered person Miss Gail Edwards and Miss Jill Carding Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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Children's Choice Childcare

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?

Children's Choice Out of School Club was registered in 2005. It operates from rooms within Victoria Park Infant School Stretford. The club caters for children who attend the school and also collects children from Victoria Park Junior School and can collect from other local schools. The setting opens five days a week term time from 07.30 until 09.00 and 15.15 until 18.00. The holiday club runs five days a week from 07.30 to 18.00 during all of the school holidays.

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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 There are 45 children on the register. Children attend a variety of sessions. There may be a maximum of 32 children on the premises at any one time. The setting is able to provide care for children with special needs and those who have English as an additional language. The setting receives support from Trafford Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and well-being is promoted well, because staff recognise the importance of providing children with healthy snacks and drinks on a daily basis, ensuring there is time and space to rest, engage in physical activity and to be protected from infection. Practice is based on several well written policies and procedures and appropriate records are kept with regard to accidents and medication. Staff offer daily opportunities for children to play outdoors, where they eagerly participate in and enjoy physical activity, such as football. Staff promote good hygiene practices well, such as keeping the premises and food preparation areas clean and tidy. They also routinely wash their hands in between various task and activities. As a result children know and understand the importance of hand washing routines. Children explained that washing hands removes germs and prevents them

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Helping children to be healthy

from becoming ill. Children enjoy snacks which are freshly prepared and cooked on the premises, such as soup and crusty bread. The main snack is followed by fresh fruit; children know and understand the value of eating fresh fruit; drinks are also provided. Children develop independence as they are encouraged to access their own drinks through out the session, however, this is not continued through to snack time, where staff pour and serve children their drinks. Meal and snack times are a social occasion, where children sit with their friends and engage in social conservation. Children are invited at the start of the session to choose what they would like for their snacks, thus they are involved in making choices. Individual dietary requirements are met well. Staff are sensitive to the needs of the children in their care; they work closely with parents, thus providing appropriate support to them and their children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a wide range of toys and play equipment which is appropriate to their ages, safe and in good condition. Children benefit from a warm and welcoming environment, in which they have freedom of movement to select toys and activities of their choice. The available space is used well to ensure children access the full range of activities, including physical play. Children have opportunities to add to the planned activities or to change them if they wish, thus further

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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 developing independence and confidence. Children are kept safe on the premises because staff are vigilant and effectively implement the safety policy and procedures, such as the supervision of children, checking the premises and using appropriate safety equipment as needed. Access to the premises is managed well, for example, visitors are required to sign in and the entry doors are kept locked. Children are involved in regular emergency evacuation procedures to ensure they know and understand what to do if a real emergency took place. Children are kept safe during trips and outings because staff adhere to the policy and obtain written consent from parents for various activities. Children are further protected from harm because the staff know and understand the policy and procedures regarding child protection. The policy is based on Local

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children Safeguarding Board procedures and is shared with parents. All staff have attended relevant training. The setting operates a "buddy" system to ensure children are never left alone in the care of staff or volunteers awaiting clearance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy coming to the club, they are happy, settled and confident. Children are encouraged to select their own activities and add to those prepared for them if they wish. Play plans are in place. These are flexible and take account of children's interest. Planning includes lots of creative activities, themes and large group activities. Children interact well with each other and the adults. They organise themselves into small groups and take turns during games without too much direction from staff. Younger children are supported well with activities that are familiar to them. The staff ensure there is something suitable for all of the children. All children are engaged in activities of their choice and stay focused and interested for good periods of time. They are supported well by staff who participate in the activities with the children. The children benefit from a calm and relaxing environment which enables them to have

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

fun and enjoy the activities. Children are supported well in developing independence. Staff give lots of support to allow children to grow and develop at their own pace. For example, some children are mixing paints to finish their model dinosaurs, some already know the colours gained when two different colours are mixed, others need some help. Staff listen to what children have to say and engage them in conversation. Children receive lots of praise from staff as a reward for their efforts and achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed in to the club; they are treated with respect and recognised as individuals. Staff show good awareness of the needs of children identified with

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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 special needs, procedures are in place to support all children with care and consideration. However, there is no written statement in place regarding special needs. Staff are sensitive to the needs of all children and when necessary share information about the child's needs with the other children, for example, after a child had a vaccination, staff informed all of the children about the need to be careful because her arm may be sore, the other children took this on board and were kind and considerate towards the child. Staff obtained the child's and parents' permission to share this information. Children are supported well in learning about diversity through a range of planned activities and themes; they also have access to a wide range of resources that promote positive images and diversity to enhance what they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

know. Parents have access to lots of information about the club and how it operates; this promotes an open and friendly working relationship between staff and parents and children benefit from this. Staff keep appropriate records for all children and confidentiality is maintained. Staff provide parents with leaflets about the setting and invite them to comment informally or through written questionnaires. Several parents verbally expressed how happy they are with the provision. A written policy is in place to help staff manage children's behaviour appropriately. There is also a list of ground rules, which children have contributed to. This gives children ownership and helps them to understand the importance of adhering to them. Children are engaged in purposeful activities which keeps them engaged and stimulated, as a result children behave well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Appropriate procedures are in place to ensure staff are suitable to work with children, thus children are protected, for example, required checks are carried out for all staff. Written job descriptions and contracts are in place for staff. Training opportunities are offered to all staff. The staff participate in a programme of induction and therefore they know and understand their roles and responsibilities with regard to daily routines and safety procedures. This ensures children are supervised well and their needs are met consistently. The staff use the space effectively to ensure children are safe and have access to the full range of activities offered. Required ratios are maintained to ensure children receive appropriate care and attention from staff. Required records and documentation is in place and available for inspection. Confidentiality is maintained because individual record sheets are used for each child.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of those children who attend.

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Improvements since the last 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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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 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): • extend opportunities for children to access own drinks at snack and meal times • provide a written statement with regard to special needs.

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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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