Springfields Play SchemeOfsted inspection, 3 Aug 2006

Springfields Play Scheme

Inspection report for early years provision

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Springfields Play Scheme

EY312089 Unique Reference Number 03 August 2006 Inspection date Lisa Jane Cupples Inspector

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Springfields Play Scheme

Hardway Elson District Community Association, Coombe Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4JB

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Setting Address

0239 2584149 or MOB 07913 661968 Telephone number

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E-mail

Springfields PlayScheme Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of 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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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?

Springfields Play Scheme first opened in 2005. It is a privately owned setting which operates in HEDCA Community Centre, in Gosport, a residential area of Hampshire. The setting has the use of two halls and a fully enclosed outside play area. The play scheme operates during school holidays from 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting is registered to provide care for a maximum of 50 children, aged from three to eight years. There are currently 80 children on roll. Children up to the age of 14 years may attend. The setting supports children with disabilities, learning difficulties and who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are 12 staff employed to work with the children. Of these, two have qualifications to a level 3 and all staff have attended play work training courses.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected and enjoy a healthy environment because the staff implement good hygiene procedures to help prevent the possible spread of infection. The tables are cleaned with anti-bacterial spray before snacks and the toilets are checked every half an hour to ensure they are clean. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene and are developing good self care skills through daily discussion and routines. For example, children are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand about healthy eating through daily discussions. They talk openly about which food is their favourite and which types are good for them during the canteen-style snack times. Children benefit from a nutritious diet because the staff team have a clear understanding of healthy eating. They provide a wide range of fruit for snacks and discuss the needs of each child with the parents in detail and record the information on their registration forms. The parents provide packed lunches for their own children. On arrival staff check the contents and then label and refrigerate items that need to be chilled, ensuring it stays fresh for the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children will receive appropriate treatment if an accident occurs because seven members of staff hold a current first aid certificate and a rota is used so each member of staff is fully aware of their responsibilities for the day. Fully stocked first aid kits are stored around the setting and the owners check the contents weekly to ensure they are up-to-date and well-maintained, helping to keep the children healthy. Some children attend for the whole day, however, no suitable facilities are in place if the children feel tired or want to rest during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle through daily routines and general conversation about the benefits of regular exercise. For example, children and staff talk about their hearts beating faster after racing games and outdoor play. Children enjoy an extensive range of physical activities throughout the day. They can join in dancing games, play ball games and run about, burning off their excess energy, as much or as little as they like.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a safe and secure environment because the staff are vigilant and carry out risk assessments to ensure all potential risks to the children's safety are removed prior to the children entering the play scheme. The main doors to the building are kept locked and all visitors have to knock to gain access. They are required to sign in and out of the building, ensuring an accurate record of everyone on site at any time is maintained. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, they are able to explain what they would do in an emergency. They practise fire drills every week and talk about the whistle, which way they go outside, where they have to meet and when they have their names called out. This shows the children are extremely familiar with the emergency procedures of the setting. The staff team

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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 have a good understanding of child protection. The clear policies, procedures and staff awareness ensures the children are protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of resources suitable for the age and stage of the children who attend. The toys and resources are brightly coloured and set up attractively to ensure the children are interested, for example, the craft activity has resources for ‘The Wild West’ this week. Children are making 'Wanted' posters and sheriff’s badges. They laugh and giggle with the staff as they draw pictures of the staff and try to decide what they might be wanted for. Equipment is checked at the end of each day and children know they have to tell a member of staff if something is broken, so they can replace it or fix it and make it safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good interaction with the staff. They sit at the children’s level and talk openly with them, listening carefully to their ideas. For example, one child suggested making pictures of some Native Americans, together with the member of staff they hunted through the resources to find all the things they need. This makes the children feel that their ideas are valued and important, building good relationships within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff have a very good understanding of the children's needs and are flexible in their approach to setting up activities each day. For example, staff plan what they would like to do during the day and set up a wide range of activities and games before the children arrive. The staff explained that they always plan something, so that the children have things to do as soon as they arrive, the children know what equipment and resources are available and just ask for other things as the day goes on or help themselves to the resource and activity boxes around the rooms. This week some of the children have been asking for activities to be out the following day so they can finish their games. Staff respect this, as the whole ethos behind the play scheme is to facilitate the children's play and ideas, allowing them to develop their imaginations, freedom of choice and confidence. A passing child overheard the conversation and added 'most of all

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to have fun', skipping off to carry on the game with her friends.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children settle quickly on arrival, laughing and giggling with the staff as their parents sign in. The children say bye to their carers, and can’t wait to see what activities are set up today. They animatedly chat to each other about what they are going to do. Children are confident and feel comfortable enough to ask for additional resources if they can’t find what they are looking for. Staff are good at facilitating the children's play and ideas and are always on hand to help, ensuring the play is extended at every opportunity. Children take part in individual, small and large group activities. They enjoy many physical activities such as football and dancing, take part in a wide range of creative activities and enjoy building models with the construction toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff take the time to get to know each child and their families. All details are clearly recorded on the children’s registration forms, ensuring all their needs are known to the staff team.

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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 Children build good relationships with the staff and their peers, for example, children ask if the staff need any help setting up additional activities and are beginning to show consideration for others, asking if they want to join in, reading stories to younger children, being polite and helpful to each other. The owners have both attended special needs training and workshops and are fully aware of their role and responsibility. They work closely with the parents to ensure all the children’s individual needs can be and are met effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a wide range of multi-cultural activities, helping to develop their understanding of the world around them. Staff discuss themes and topics with the children to help them feel involved in the decision making process. This week the theme is ‘The Wild West’, previous topics have been about other countries, such as India. Children enjoy talking about and listening to different types of music and some children were sat quietly listening to a tape and trying to guess which countries the music and instruments came from. Many posters and books are used daily reflecting a diverse society, broadening the children's horizons.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good because they know exactly what is expected of them. At the beginning of each scheme the children and staff draw up an agreed list of rules. The children and staff consistently stick to the rules and new ones can be added at anytime, following a group discussion. This makes the children feel valued and enables them to take responsibility for themselves and the play scheme, developing a strong sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff are building very good relationships with the parents. Communication is strong and parents feel the staff are all open, friendly and approachable, making it easy to share information about their children. the staff team are available at the end of each day to talk to the parents and appointments can be made if necessary. The owners are extremely flexible and do everything they can to make the families feel welcome. A prominent notice board in the entrance hall is used to display a wide range of information for the parents, helping to keep them up-to-date with forthcoming events, topics and themes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The owners are aware of the registration requirements and ensure that enough staff are working to maintain the required ratio's at all times. Staff are deployed effectively, providing good support and supervision for all the children. The staff are vigilant and are skilled at keeping an overall view of the setting while interacting well with the children at different activities. Clear recruitment and vetting policies and procedures are in place to protect the children who attend the setting. The owners have a clear understanding of the requirements of registration and work hard to ensure all the required paperwork is in place and maintained to a high standard.

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Organisation

Daily routines run smoothly and are extremely flexible to meet the needs of the children. For example, football matches are brought forward or delayed depending on what the majority of the children want to do. The staff are very diplomatic and are building very strong relationships with the children, because they all feel valued and respected. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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 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): • ensure children have appropriate rest facilities throughout the day

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The quality and standards of the care

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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