Manor Way Activity Club

Hours Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Hours Club

Unique Reference Number 253874 Inspection date 24 May 2006 Inspector Patricia Dawes

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Hours Club

Setting Address Brier Mill Road, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 3HA

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E-mail

Registered person Manor Way Activity 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?

Manor Way out of Hours Club is run by a voluntary management committee. It opened in 1997 and operates from three rooms in a school building in Halesowen, West Midlands. A maximum of 32 children may attend the group at any one time. The group is open each weekday from 08.00 to 08.50 and 15.30 to 17.30 during school term-time. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 34 children aged from 4 to under 11 years on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group serves the local catchment area.

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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 four staff. Three of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. One staff member is working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted sufficiently well and suitable procedures are in place to help children learn about the importance of good health and hygiene through daily routines. They understand, for example, the need to wash hands before eating and after toileting to remove germs. A good awareness of healthy eating is developing through focussed activities such as baking naan bread and cookies. Children understand about the effects of 'bad food' on their health and the benefits of eating fresh fruit and vegetables. Adequate provision is made to offer children snacks that are suitable. Children are confident to ask for a drink and independence is developing as children help themselves from the jug of fresh drinking water that is made available to them. Children benefit from an effective, planned daily routine which allows time for exploring, testing and developing physical control. They experience a broad range of

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Helping children to be healthy

exciting physical activities that promote their understanding of how to stay healthy and active, such as using outdoor play equipment, and indoor team games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure and safe environment that helps them to feel settled and confident. Security of the premises is good and there are effective procedures for the collection of children at the end of a session to ensure that their welfare is safeguarded. Regular risk assessments are conducted to ensure the building is safe, however these are not linked to accident records to demonstrate how hazards during outdoor play are identified and minimised. The impact of this is that children’s health and safety is at times compromised. Children use high quality equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development. It is easily accessible, checked thoroughly to ensure it meets safety requirements and cleaned regularly. Within the classroom there is a considerable amount of space available to allow children to use a range of activities which promotes their development well. All children have equal access to resources which

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are not restricted. Children are well protected by staff that have a clear understanding of all aspects of child protection. Comprehensive and effective policies and procedures are in place to promote children's welfare. Staff are aware of child protection issues. They understand their role in child protection and are able to put appropriate procedures

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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 into practice where necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children's needs are met and their welfare promoted by staff who have a good understanding of each child and their interests. Activities provide suitable levels of challenge for all children. Children's opinions and ideas are sought in order to provide a variety of play opportunities to meet their needs. Children are able to decide when they access the creative tables. They are encouraged to use their initiative and behave well. They eagerly initiate conversations with staff and talk with enthusiasm about what they have done. They enjoy all activities, have fun, play imaginatively, and produce creative art work. Children's confidence and self-esteem are boosted by the skilful interaction of the staff who are positive and respectful to all children and value what each child has to offer. Staff facilitate activities well and encourage children to join in although respect children's decisions to opt in or out of activities. Children are well supported by staff

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

who are skilled at listening to them and encouraging conversation. Positive relationships are developing as older children play as a group with younger children, which promotes a happy settled atmosphere.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have good relationships with staff and peers. They interact well together and adults are interested in what the children say and do, enabling children to feel settled and confident. The setting has an inclusion policy and children with special needs are effectively integrated into the group's activities. Staff adapt activities to ensure that all children can be included. Equal opportunity is promoted through the provision of activities that show positive images of culture and disability. Gender stereo-typing is discouraged and children are encouraged to play with all toys. Children's behaviour is well managed due to the clear boundaries and positive role models set by the staff. Effective strategies and written policies are in place, which are displayed and discussed with parents to promote consistency. Children are beginning to understand the difference between right and wrong and this is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

continually reinforced through daily routines and practices such as showing care and consideration for others and helping to tidy away toys after use. Children are developing good self-esteem. This is because the staff value children and respect their individual efforts. Children’s individual needs are well met because staff are positive, professional and friendly. There are systems in place to develop positive relationships with parents to encourage involvement and information sharing. Parents receive the same level of information regarding the policies and procedures of the setting, which has a positive

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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 impact on children’s needs being effectively met through parents’ wishes being respected.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well protected and cared for because recruitment and vetting procedures in use are rigorous and robust. Staff employed at the setting have a sound knowledge and understanding of child development. Children feel secure and confident in a warm and welcoming environment. Adult: child ratios positively support children’s care and play. Children’s self-esteem is promoted through the deployment of staff who value individual efforts. This helps to develop independence as children are confident to initiate and extend their own learning and play. Comprehensive policies are in place that have a positive impact on children's safety and well-being. Most records and procedures necessary for the smooth running of the facility are available to ensure children’s health, safety and well-being is safeguarded. Confidentiality is maintained, and information is shared with parents to

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Organisation

ensure children's individual needs are met. Overall the provision effectively meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous care inspection it was required that the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer of the Committee complete all necessary documentation relating to Standard 1. Recommendations were also made requesting that staff improve their knowledge and understanding of the child protection, ensure confidentiality when recording incidents and accidents, update the child protection and behaviour management policies, and the procedure for complaints. Significant improvements have been made. All documentation has been submitted to the regulator with regard to the committee. Staff have attended training to improve their knowledge and understanding of Child Protection. Discussions with the staff during meetings have led to the policies for child protection and behaviour management being updated and amended. A procedure for complaints has been written, and is shared with parents. New formats for recording accidents and incidents have been devised which now ensure

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Improvements since the last inspection

confidentiality. All of these now have a positive impact on children’s care, safety and well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they

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Complaints 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 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): • update staff knowledge and the procedures in the use of recording accidents and using the information to minimise hazards.

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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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