Star of the Sea O.S.C. Limited

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY276646 Inspection date 16 June 2006 Inspector Jim Bostock

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Setting Address Arcot Avenue, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE25 9DY

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E-mail

Registered person Star of the sea O.S.C. Limited 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 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?

Star of The Sea Out of School Club has been registered since 2002. It was run by a parent committee for five years prior to the current owner managed service taking over. It is within the grounds of Star Of The Sea Primary School, in a mature residential area in Monkseaton, which lies on the outskirts of the town of Whitley Bay. The out of school club is situated in a prefabricated building, children have access to the whole of the building including supervised access to the kitchen. Toilets are adjacent to the playroom. There is access to an outdoor play within the confines of the school playing fields and to the school hall.

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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 club operates in term times between 07:50 - 08.50 and 15.00 - 18.00, and during school holidays from 08.00 - 17.30. The club is registered to provide care for 24 children aged four to eight years and accepts children up to 12 years old, and occasionally up to 14 years old. There are five permanent members of staff, including the manager. Members of staff have an appropriate qualification or are working towards gaining a qualification in the care and education of children. At the time of inspection, there were 78 children on the register, 42 of whom were under 8 years of age.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive a balanced and healthy diet, including the provision of fruit, snacks and drinks each day, with tea and breakfast being provided by the service. The staff have a good understanding of the nutritional needs of children. Meal times are social occasions for children with lots of discussion about daily events. Staff help children learn about healthy eating very well in activities and through discussion. Children's individual dietary needs are recorded and reflected in the meals and snacks provided, and children with learning difficulties and disabilities are well catered for. Children benefit from the good communication between staff and parents about food and drink issues with the service fully respecting any requests from parents. Children have easy and constant access to drinking water within the playrooms. Children's health and hygiene is promoted through the staff having undertaken the

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Helping children to be healthy

basic food hygiene course and carrying out daily routines, including the washing of hands before eating and after toileting. There are individual towels available for children to reduce the risk of cross infection. Accidents and medicine administered are recorded appropriately; however, the way medicine is recorded does not ensure full confidentiality of information. There are good procedures in place for children who have specific medical conditions, with staff involved in any medical procedures, such as for children with severe allergies, having training and permissions to assist children. However, only one member of staff has a current first aid qualification, and is not on duty at every session. This puts children at risk and is in breach of the National Standards. However, the risk is minimal, as two other members of staff have had first aid training which is now out of date, and the setting has arranged for staff to update first aid in the next month.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is well promoted through regular use of the outdoor area, where they thoroughly enjoy active play, such as bat and ball games, skipping, the traffic light game and running about. They develop fine muscle control by participating in activities, such as craft, cut and glue to make cards and posters, and playing with construction sets.

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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 The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment which is well maintained and in good decorative order. Child safety is promoted by encouraging children to be aware of danger and keeping themselves safe, as well as taking good precautions to reduce the risk to children. Staff use excellent methods to help children understand safety issues. For example, there are activities covering stranger danger, fire safety, road safety, sun safety and children are able to discuss these issues and show that they are learning very well to look after themselves. In addition, local police and fire officers visit the setting to talk to children about staying safe. Close supervision of children is used by the staff to help prevent accidents and keep children safe. This is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

further enhanced by the number of staff available each session, which is over the number strictly required within the standards. The service has very good written policies covering a wide range of safety issues and staff are fully aware of these issues which helps protect children very well. The service has good fire safety procedures and has made provision for a safe and efficient evacuation, including good written plans and records of practice evacuations. The arrival and collection of children is well planned and protects children very well. The service has identified a member of staff as the child protection co-ordinator, who has a good awareness of the issues involved in protecting children; they have undertaken additional child protection training. Most staff have had child protection training and there are good policies and procedures in place to protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have excellent relationships with staff because they are treated with warmth, kindness, affection and respect. They develop confidence very well and are relaxed, settled and secure in the setting. Children say they enjoy attending the sessions because they have many interesting activities which stimulate them. They make very good relationships with other children and feel staff are very supportive and treat them well. Children are fully involved in the service with regular meetings, decision making and choices. For example, there is a representative meeting involving selected children of different age groups called the Kids Club Council, children choose the names of their individual group to which they are attached and are involved in making the rules for the setting. Staff show a detailed understanding of their individual needs. Children are encouraged to be independent with support and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

guidance in selecting and using the toys and equipment effectively. Their abilities and confidence are developed through effective use of the wide selection of resources available. Children's self-esteem is developed through the staff valuing each child's contribution. The planned activity programme encourages their interest and progress with weekly topics, such as Superheroes, where children learn to help others and develop a sense of themselves as special people. Sessions are very well planned and organised to ensure children have many opportunities to experience the full range of activities offered. They enjoy craft making, construction, imaginative play, reading books, puzzles, games and sitting, chatting and relaxing after school, if they wish.

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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 The ethos of the service is enjoyment and choice; staff help children to achieve this in many superb ways. Parents are fully involved in their children's experiences with the regular updates.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The service is excellent in helping children develop positive behaviour and to be respectful with others. Children behave very well in the setting because they contribute to and know the rules. They have many activities where they learn to help each other, develop self-esteem and discuss feelings and relationships. Children develop self confidence very well because they receive lots of praise and encouragement. They are eager to participate in activities and respond very well to the staff. They develop a sense of responsibility and independence by being involved and having choice. A particular strength of the setting is the daily sticker activity where children obtain reward stickers for efforts and positive attitude. They proudly show examples of their work and enthusiastically cheer each other's achievements. Relationships with parents are promoted and developed very well. Parents are kept

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Helping children make a positive contribution

fully informed of their child's progress and details of their physical care on a daily basis, both verbally and from individual files. They are fully consulted about all aspects of the care provided with the staff incorporating parents requests into the service. They provide written information for the service about their children and also provide written permissions for a variety of issues affecting their children, so that children can be cared for in accordance with their wishes. Parents comments about the service are extremely positive. They feel they receive excellent information, relate very well to staff and their children thoroughly enjoy attending sessions. Children are cared for as individuals with differences being acknowledged and enjoyed. Children gain a good understanding of the wider world and their local community through activities, outings and visitors. There are many activities, toys and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

resources related to multicultural play. Children with learning difficulties or disabilities attend sessions and are very well cared for with individual staff assigned to some children, on a one to one basis, if needed. Staff are very knowledgeable about special needs and about children's individual needs which helps children's involvement and inclusion in the daily events. All children mix freely and participate in all activities, which helps them develop an awareness and positive attitude to difference.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The service provides clear routines and organised activities, which gives children confidence in the setting. Children benefit from the relevant training attended by the staff, which is reflected in the standard of care provided. However, the lack of staff with a current first aid qualification has resulted in some sessions operating without a first aid qualified member of staff present, as required under the National Standards.

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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 Most of the staff are qualified, and they have access to very good ongoing training in other areas. This helps them to effectively meet the needs of children, including those with learning difficulties and disabilities. The well planned daily routine allows children to experience a wide variety of stimulating and interesting activities. The documentation kept enhances the care provided by being relevant and well organised, apart from the register of attendance, which does not clearly record the children present. The records are stored securely in the main playroom. There are excellent policies and procedures to cover all required topics and ensure children are well cared for and protected. The service has current public liability insurance cover so that children are well protected. The certificate is displayed on the wall as is

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Organisation

required. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the service was asked to ensure medication records are signed by parents and to ensure that arrival and departure times of children are recorded. These recommendations have been met; however, the record of attendance is the subject of a further recommendation at this inspection.

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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 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 enough staff are qualified in first aid to ensure that at least one member of staff with a current first aid certificate is on the premises or on outings at any one time • keep a clear record of children's attendance.

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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 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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