YMCA Portsmouth DaycampsOfsted inspection, 8 Aug 2006

St Lukes Holiday Playscheme

Inspection report for early years provision

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St Lukes Holiday Playscheme

Unique Reference Number 143460 Inspection date 08 August 2006 Inspector Lilyanne Taylor

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St Lukes Holiday Playscheme

Setting Address St. Lukes Community Sports Centre, Greetham Street, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 4HA Telephone number 07720 709369

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E-mail

Registered person YMCA Fairthorne Group Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day 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?

St Lukes Holiday Play scheme has been registered in these premises since 2001. It is an organisational run play scheme and operates from within the premises of St Lukes Community Sports Centre, which is situated in the Somerstown area of Portsmouth. The play scheme accepts children from all areas and is registered to provide care for a maximum of 60 children at any one time. The number of children on roll varies.

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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 Children are able to attend a variety of pre-booked sessions. The play scheme provides care for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The operational hours of the play scheme are Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:30 during school holidays only. The organisation employ 16 members of staff to work with the children. All staff have undertaken basic play work training through the registered organisation. Three play leaders hold NVQ level 3 qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children bring their lunch in from home and staff ensure items needing refrigeration are stored appropriately. To protect children that suffer from a nut allergy it is a policy of the provision that no items containing nuts are bought in. Good eating habits are promoted as staff sit with children sociably at lunch time. Children are developing an awareness of healthy eating through some activities they engage in. For example, they make their own fresh fruit kebabs. However, children do not have the opportunity to purchase healthy items from the tuck shop; the only choice they have is chewy sweets, jellies, chocolate and corn crisps. Children's health and dietary requirements are responded to. Information included on the registration forms is fully discussed with parents and known by all staff. All medication records contain sufficient information and written parental consent enables staff to administer

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Helping children to be healthy

medication correctly. Clear procedures are in place for responding to accidents and illness. Staff have completed first aid training and a first aid kit is available on the premises and for outings. Children are becoming aware of how too much exposure to the sun can affect their health. They make posters which detail the good and bad aspects of the sun. For example, children are aware that it is good for plants as they need the warmth to grow, but it is bad for skin as it can cause cancer. Children are encouraged to develop suitable hygiene routines themselves, such as washing their hands before they eat and after they have visited the toilet. Children are able to develop their physical skills through a wide range of activities. They play ball games with staff and each other, and go on outings to a local gym where they use a range of small and large equipment. They are taken on walks around the local area and visit places of interest, such as the museum, library, beach

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Helping children to be healthy

and parks. Within the sports centre children have regular opportunities to go swimming, use the trampoline and some gym equipment and to do archery.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are provided with a warm and welcoming environment where a strong emphasis is given to ensuring their safety. The premises are secure, well-maintained and clean. Clear procedures and systems in place ensure when children are using areas within the sports centre alongside other users they are kept safe. There is a

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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 good range of toys and equipment appropriate for the ages of children attending. Resources are clean and in good condition. Children's welfare is safeguarded because staff have a clear understanding of child protection issues and procedures. Information is shared with parents. Children are made aware of evacuation procedures and these are practised regularly and a record is maintained. Effective risk assessments are completed for outings and clear procedures are followed for some specialised activities children have the opportunity to engage in. For example, while using the trampoline, swimming and taking part in archery, children are always supervised and instructed by staff that hold appropriate qualifications for the activity. A high staff ratio is maintained and children are closely supervised at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective systems and procedures in place ensure that in the event of a child who was expected to attend the play scheme not turning up, a child being lost or a child not being collected at the end of a session appropriate action is taken. Clear arrangements are in place for the safe collection of children; they are only allowed to leave the play scheme with persons their parents have authorised. If parents wish their children to leave the play scheme alone then they have to confirm this in writing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. They develop positive relationships with staff and each other. Children's opinions on the provision are valued and staff take an interest in what they have to say and do. Staff encourage all children to fill in an evaluation form stating what they like and dislike about the provision and what they would like to have provided. This information is then used to either plan future activities based on children's interests or to make changes children have requested. Plans are flexible so children can direct their play and make choices. Exciting outings are planned for the children; they visit the beach, parks, local play gym, castle, library and museum. Children are encouraged to think and use their imagination. For example, while making pool boats, they have to consider which re-cycled materials would float on water and how they can assemble the various materials together to make the shape

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of a boat. Much to the amusement of the children their boats are put to the test. Staff place them in the large swimming pool at the centre and throw rubber bricks at them to see whose boat can survive, as each boat fails to sink the children's excitement cannot be contained and their laughter and roars of "yes" can be heard around the complex. Children make a poster about the year they were born; they visit the local library to use the computer and look at reference books to find out interesting facts. Cooking activities provide children with the opportunity to make fresh fruit kebabs and to decorate gingerbread biscuits. Children enjoy making up their own games. For example, they are in the process of making a games book to include games such as hang man, word search, cross word puzzles and matching/ pairing games. Most of the behaviour rules of the play scheme are created by the children; they are encouraged to state what rules they want to

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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 abide by and these are displayed in the hall for all to see. As a result children's behaviour is good. Children are fully occupied at all times, they enjoy the time they spend at the play scheme and have fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good relationships developed with parents. Communication is open, providing a trusting and supportive environment for the children and their families. Parents are provided with a friendly and informative prospectus and have access to the play schemes policies and procedures. Parents are encouraged to raise any concerns they may have about the play scheme so they can be addressed as soon as possible; a flow chart of the procedure parents should follow if they have a complaint is displayed in the hall. The organisation is very pro-active in ensuring that all children who attend the play scheme have their needs met immediately; they have their own dedicated special needs support unit. When parents first enquire about the play scheme staff find out if their child has any specific needs, these are then fully discussed. The program of activities the play scheme is to work with is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

shown to parents and appropriate action is taken to either adapt activities or the provision so that all children can be fully included, integrated and supported to play an active part in the sessions. Ongoing discussions ensure children's needs continue to be met. Systems in place ensure all staff are fully aware of the needs of all children attending. Clear and consistent behaviour management strategies help children understand what is expected of them. Consequently they behave well. Children play well together and develop confidence in an environment where they are valued as individuals and treated with respect.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Clear recruitment and employment procedures ensure all staff are suitably vetted, qualified and experienced to work with children under eight. Emphasis is given to developing staff skills and expertise through further training and appraisal. Staff provide a calm and friendly atmosphere where children are safe and happy. Good use is made of space which enables children to experience a wide range of different activities. Staff work well as a team. They are clear about their roles and responsibilities and their effective deployment ensures all children receive appropriate support. All documentation is in place and maintained as required. The play scheme display their certificate of registration so it is clear for parents to see how many children can be cared for at any one time. In addition to this records of attendance are completed to show the actual times children and staff are present.

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Organisation

Children’s health, safety and well-being is positively promoted through the effective leadership of the play scheme and the comprehensive range of policies and procedures that underpin the daily operation of the provision. 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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the play scheme were asked to review their existing written policy for an uncollected child to ensure it contained all the procedures they would follow in the event of a child not being collected. This policy now details the exact procedures the setting would follow and is displayed in the hall for parents to see. As a result it is clear to see how the play scheme ensure children are kept safe if they are not collected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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): • review the selection of items available for children to purchase from the tuck shop so they are encouraged and supported to follow a more healthy diet.

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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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