Barton Kids Club

Barton Kids Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Barton Kids Club

Unique Reference Number 219233 Inspection date 13 June 2006 Inspector Lynne Kathleen Talbot

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Barton Kids Club

Setting Address Ramsey Manor Lower School, Manor Road, BARTON LE CLAY, Bedfordshire, MK45 4NS Telephone number 01582 881318

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E-mail

Registered person Barton Kids 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 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?

Barton Kids Club registered in November 1995 and is located in Ramsey Manor Lower School, Barton-Le-Clay. The group is situated in the main hall or classrooms, which are divided into separate areas according to activity. Children have access to secure outside play areas. A maximum of 32 children may attend the club at any one time. It is open during school term-time and sessions are daily from 15:15 to 18:00. There are currently 60 children aged from four to under eight years on roll. Children

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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 over eight years of age also attend the group. All children attend different sessions. The club serves children from this school and from the wider community. They are currently supporting children who have special educational needs. Barton Kids Club employs six staff. Four of the staff, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a comfortable, clean environment where there are facilities to offer space for a range of activities and play opportunities. Children are developing a good understanding of the importance of personal hygiene, for example, washing their hands before snack time and after outdoor activities. They are learning to prepare basic foods and understand the links between nutrition and health as they prepare their own tea with support from staff. They follow routines for personal hygiene without prompting demonstrating that they understand their importance. Children enjoy a range of physical activities which contribute to their good health, they are beginning to understand the relevance of this area. For example, they thoroughly enjoy participation in sports and active play to extend their physical well-being. They develop control of their bodies and improve their physical skills and

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Helping children to be healthy

co-ordination as they participate in structured activities such as football and a variety of sports. Afterwards they recognise their thirst and seek drinks independently to replenish their fluid levels. The children make good use of the outdoor play areas where there are regular opportunities to use larger equipment and to make use of the playing fields. Children's general health and safety is supported by relevant paperwork and records. There are clear, practical policies and procedures which underpin all areas. They have developed procedures for all issues such as the administration of medication, preparation of food, dealing with children who become ill, and making sure that staff always have current first aid qualifications. These well-executed measures ensure that children's health can be promoted at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a welcoming environment using equipment that meets safety standards. Resources are well organised and easily accessible. All areas used by children are checked by staff before each session, enabling staff to identify any hazards and take immediate steps to remove or minimise these. Children have an understanding about taking responsibility for their actions and keeping themselves and others safe. They are given clear and consistent explanations by staff and understand the importance of issues such as not using equipment safely and not opening exterior doors if the bell is rung by other adults during the sessions.

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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 Children independently select toys and activities from a range of appropriate and inventive activities such as craft resources. They have ample supplies of various construction sets that stimulate older children. They take part in clearing away spilt materials such as glitter or smaller pieces of construction demonstrating that they recognise both responsibility and safety issues. Children are protected because staff understand child protection issues and the appropriate steps to follow. However a development of review of recruitment procedures is required in line with updated regulations and guidelines (refer to recommendation organisation) to ensure the safety of children at all times. There is also a need to review the procedures for child protection to ensure that current

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

guidelines and procedures for Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCB) are maintained and understood.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting. They are very settled and confident in choosing activities throughout the sessions. They relate very well to each other and respond to the support and interaction from the staff. For example, as a result on one child making a book about the life of a snail, extended discussion was seen by varying age groups sharing experiences and knowledge together. Children's independence is promoted as they freely make decisions about resources and activities, there is a need however to develop methods of planning, that include children's choice and participation, to extend the range of activities offered and chosen by the children. Children enjoy stimulating activities that cover all areas of development, encouraging them to explore and learn about their environment. An example of this would be topics following current events and world issues such as the World cup or looking at

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

cultural festivals such as those using Mexican Pinatas. They are aided in their learning by the staff who encourage children's understanding through discussion and providing changes to activities where requested. Where children require one-to-one help, staff are quick to recognise this and offer gentle support at an appropriate level enabling children to achieve alongside their peers. Children are able to relax and enjoy their time at the setting as there is a clear recognition that this is out of school hours care, with an emphasis on having fun. All children are offered appropriate challenge within the activities, and staff make good use of open questions to encourage them to think further. Staff are particularly attentive and know the children well. This ensures that activities are always adapted so that children are purposefully occupied and are able to participate meaningfully. Children ask staff to join them at activities and demonstrate their confidence and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoyment in both adults and other children's company at sports and other activities. Children make choices and ask for items they require shown by the activity seen when they made Fathers day cards from a variety of creative materials.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are equally welcomed and play a full and active part in the setting because staff value and respect their individuality. Staff have a clear understanding of the importance of promoting equality of opportunity, ensuring that this theme runs through all areas and offering good role models. Children are offered a range of opportunities which promote their understanding of society and increase their awareness of other cultures and ways of life. These include activities related to cultural celebrations and involvement in the local and wider community. Children are kind and considerate to each other and to staff. Their behaviour is good throughout the sessions as they competently organise turn-taking and sharing with the assistance of lists which they organise and compile. Children demonstrate social behaviour and freely use terms such as, 'excuse me', 'would you mind if' and 'Thank

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Helping children make a positive contribution

you but I do not want any snack today'. Children are helped in this by staff who set consistent boundaries for the children and act as consistent role models, reinforcing positive behaviour. Children who have special needs are able to have their requirements clearly identified to ensure that children are fully included in the activities and routines. Children's development and all-round care is not fully supported because there are no clear methods for involving parents fully in the setting. For example, information sharing, reviewing the setting and its procedures, or other formal methods of reviewing aspects of care. Identification of a method to provide parents with access to the inspection report needs to be developed. There is a complaints procedure available to parents but this requires review to amend inaccurate information and meet the requirement to maintain a complaints log.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's welfare and safety are promoted through the setting's policies and procedures, and the staff's practical knowledge and daily implementation of these. There is, however, a need to review the operational plan to include the changes in National Standards and regulations as set out in the October 2005 Addendum to the National Standards for under 8's day care and childminding. There is a basic induction procedure carried out by the manager but recruitment, vetting or induction, or ongoing suitability of staff through appraisal systems, and monitoring of health by employers is not yet clearly defined or robust. An appropriate level of training is held which assists staff in planning appropriately for this specific care provision and age group. Children's overall welfare is promoted by the dedication that the staff have in their role and responsibilities, they act as positive role models and are motivated to pursue

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Organisation

continued good care. All sessions are well planned but flexible to children's requests, with a balanced range of opportunities offering both leisure and adult-initiated themed works. Staff pay attention to what children are doing and ensure that they are always

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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 given sufficient time and resources to complete their activities and tasks. Overall, the needs of the children attending are being met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the group was asked to secure areas of the premises and develop staff knowledge of child protection procedures to improve safety. They were asked to complete written roles for committee members which included preparing vetting procedures, and to make changes to the policy for special needs to include the code of practice. Since that time they have addressed safety issues and improved the safety for children in the premises, through training for child protection and begun work on the vetting procedures. Committee member roles are defined which improves organisation and care for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since last 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): • ensure that the child protection procedure complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) • develop methods of planning, that include children's choice and participation, to extend the range of activities offered and chosen by the children • review the complaints policy to ensure that it contains accurate detail and meets the requirement to maintain a complaints log in accordance with the changes in National Standards and regulations as set out in the October 2005

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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 Addendum to the National Standards for under 8's day care and childminding. • introduce a method to support regular exchange of information with parents and carers supporting all aspects of care and activities provided, and develop a procedure to make a copy of the inspection report available to parents • review the operational plan to include the changes in National Standards and regulations as set out in the October 2005 Addendum to the National Standards for under 8's day care and childminding. Show how it includes procedures for action in the event of an allegation made against staff.

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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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