Mytime Active childcare services at the SpaOfsted inspection, 29 Jun 2006

Bromley Mytime at the Spa

Inspection report for early years provision

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Bromley Mytime at the Spa

Unique Reference Number EY286937 Inspection date 29 June 2006 Inspector Denys Rasmussen

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Bromley Mytime at the Spa

Setting Address Beckenham Leisure Centre, 24 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4PF Telephone number 020 8658 3636

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E-mail

Registered person Bromley Mytime Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care, Crèche

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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?

Bromley Mytime at the Spa is run by Bromley Mytime group and is one of 13 provisions. It operates from a leisure centre in Beckenham town centre. The provision has a crèche and a holiday club. The crèche is open from 09:30 to 13:30 term time only. The holiday club is open from 08:30 to 17:30 during all school holidays. The crèche is situated in one room within the leisure centre. The holiday club operates from the crèche room, the sports hall and a dance studio. It also uses the leisure facilities. The crèche is registered to care for a maximum of 13 children at any one time and

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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 presently has 11 children on roll. The holiday club is registered to care for a maximum of 60 children. The holiday club was not in operation on the day of inspection. The inspection focussed on the crèche. There are four staff working in the crèche, three of whom have early years qualifications. There are 22 staff available to work in the holiday club, five of whom have appropriate qualifications. Eight staff work with the children at any one time, with at least half with appropriate qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. There is always a staff member present who is qualified in first aid, this ensures accidents are dealt with appropriately. The service keeps satisfactory records about children's health needs and dietary requirements including any allergies. These are complied with to help keep children healthy. The crèche facility does not administer medication because the parents do not leave the premises. Children are encouraged to develop good hygiene practices such as washing their hands after visiting the toilet. The effective sick child policy helps protect children from the spread of infection. Children in the holiday club are encouraged to develop healthy eating practices by being offered fruit and cereal bars for snack. Children in the crèche are given food and drink provided by parents, and staff follow parents instructions to ensure children's dietary needs are met. Drinks are available at all times and are particularly

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Helping children to be healthy

encouraged in hot weather. The holiday club provides sports, team games and visits to the leisure centre physical play area. This helps promote the children's physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised in the welcoming environment which has good safety and security precautions, such as restricting children's access to potentially hazardous areas and ensuring appliances conform to safety requirements. Children are able to play in a safe environment which is secure and has effective systems for their safe arrival and collection. Children use a range of safe, good quality, age appropriate resources in the comfortable and clean environment. Space is organised well to meet the children's needs. There are good written health and safety policies including child protection. However, crèche staff do not always understand the procedures to follow and rely heavily on referring everything to the manager. This means the correct procedures will not be followed in the event of the manager being unavailable. All the holiday club staff will

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

be attending child protection training before the club opens this will ensure they understand their responsibility to the children in their care and are up-to-date with

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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 practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Most children are happy to be at the crèche. They arrive enthusiastically and quickly settle to an activity. Children who are less settled are skilfully reassured by staff and given cuddles to enable them to separate from their parent voluntarily. Children in the crèche enjoy playing with a satisfactory range of play resources. They play 'house' and drive around in their 'car'. They concentrate well when drawing with crayons. However, there are few opportunities for children to take part in messy/sensorial play which limits their play experiences. Children's team skills are promoted through sporting activities offered in the holiday club. The club places emphasis on children being physically active with trips to the on site physical activity centre and the swimming pool. This helps to promote their all round development. A planned programme of activities are offered including art and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

craft. Children are asked to evaluate the activities through simple questionnaires which they put a smiley or sad face in answer. This ensures the activities provided follow the children's current interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the positive partnership staff develop with parents. This ensures children settle well and their individual needs are met. They experience appropriate care due to effective communication between parents and staff. Children settle well in the crèche. Parents are informed in advance of the holiday club activities and are asked to give feedback to ensure that they are following the children's interests. A brief overview of the service's policies and procedures are written in a booklet for parents information. There are satisfactory systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Extra funding is available to provide a smaller ratio of staff to children if necessary, to ensure children's needs are met. Children in the holiday club are encouraged to develop an awareness of people in their community by visitors to the group such as the police, the fire brigade and the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

red cross. They are introduced to different cultures through food, music and dance. The positive images within the play resources in the crèche encourage children to develop a positive awareness of others. Staff in the crèche help children to behave well through their good example. They have realistic expectations and are friendly, polite and gentle in their manner. They praise desirable behaviour such as kindness and willingness to share. The holiday club discuss the club rules with the children and encourage the parents to do the same. The reward system of stickers and certificates encourages the children to behave well.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by suitably qualified staff who have been appropriately vetted, due to effective recruitment procedures. Staff in the crèche have a good knowledge and understanding of child development and are a consistent staff team. Induction training, policies and procedures work well in practice, ensuring the efficient and safe management of the service. However, a lack of clear communication channels between the managers and the crèche staff mean staff are sometimes unclear about their roles and responsibilities. All required records are maintained to a satisfactory standard, however the complaints procedure is not yet in line with current legislation. Space, staff and resources are organised to create an accessible environment where

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Organisation

children are busy and occupied throughout the session. Children are offered a satisfactory range of activities although their access to creative/sensorial activities in the crèche is limited. Through evaluation, by asking the children's opinion, the service provide activities that support their current interests. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to Ofsted 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): • ensure staff are aware of the crèches policies and procedures and are clear in their role and responsibilities.

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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 • improve play opportunities for children, to include creative/sensorial play. • improve the complaints procedure to bring it in line with current legislation.

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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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