The Scott Centre Pre School and Schools Out

Schools Out

Inspection report for early years provision

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Schools Out

Unique Reference Number 110156 Inspection date 07 August 2006 Inspector Doreen Forsyth

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Schools Out

Setting Address The Scott Centre, Mead Hedges, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 2LB Telephone number 01264 332188

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E-mail

Registered person Hampshire & the Isle of Wight Youth Options 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?

Schools Out, out of school club opened in September 1994. It is organised by a registered charity; Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Options. The club operates from the Scott Centre in a residential area of Andover, Hampshire. The setting has access to playrooms, a kitchen, toilets and a sports hall. The out of school club serves the local community, providing a collection service from schools in the Andover area. The club is registered to care for up to 55 children aged from four to eight years old at any one time. There are currently 55 children on roll. Children attend for a variety

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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 of sessions. The club welcomes children that have learning difficulties or disabilities or who speak English as an additional language. The out of school club opens each day during school term times. Sessions are from 15:30 to 18:00. In school holidays care is offered weekdays from 08:30 to 18:00. There are seven full or part time staff working with the children. None of the staff currently hold a recognised childcare qualification, but three are under taking appropriate training. The setting receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept well, are protected from infection and suitably taken care of if they have an accident because staff follow current and appropriate health and hygiene guidelines and procedures. All the necessary documentation concerning the administration of medicines and the recording of any accidents are in place. Children learn to follow appropriate hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before eating and before cooking activities. Children begin to understand the importance of healthy eating. When attending the after school club children have a nutritious tea, which includes some fruit and vegetables. When at the holiday club, children bring their own packed lunches, these are not always appropriately stored. Children have good access to drinking water whenever they attend the club. Children have good opportunities to take part in physical exercise. There is a large

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Helping children to be healthy

sport hall attached to the play rooms which children can use for ball and team games all year round. They play on the adjoining playing fields and can use a nearby play park. Children enjoy ball games, football, using a parachute and chasing games such as 'tag'. Children can use the sofas in the play room to rest if they wish.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and suitable environment, although the setting is quite untidy with litter on the floors and is in need of some decoration and more displays. Staff risk assess the premises appropriately, they are aware of and have minimised any hazards. Children can play outside freely but staff are very vigilant and ensure children are well supervised at all times. The setting has appropriate health and safety procedures in place, but these are not easily available to parents. All appropriate fire safety equipment is in place and regularly checked, children practise regular fire evacuation 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 The club has sufficient, but not plentiful, safe and suitable furniture, equipment and toys. Children particularly enjoy using the play station and computer games. Children are collected from local schools in minibuses. The staff are qualified to drive the buses and appropriate escorts are provided. Children are safeguarded because staff understand their role in child protection and are able to put appropriate procedures in place if necessary. However, parents are not made aware of these procedures before children enrol at the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at Schools Out. They are happy, relaxed and comfortable, and they enjoy the different activities provided. Children are well occupied; they enjoy a good range of craft activities, such as decorating masks and bookmarks, drawing and colouring. They like playing board games with each other and the staff. Children play freely both inside and outside on the playing fields. They enjoy team games and football. Children take part in a range of activities that support their learning and development. On the day of the inspection some children were engrossed in cooking flapjacks, others in drawing and discussing flags from around the world. Children also enjoy relaxing and watching television or age-appropriate DVDs, often ones they bring in from home. They also enjoy taking turns to use the computer games. During the school holidays staff organise day trips on two or three days of the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

week. They visit theme parks, museums and local attractions, or they take part in sports activities such as ice skating. The staff usually organise themed days when the children are at the centre for the day, for example, a Hawaiian day, team games, or water games sessions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed, valued and included at Schools Out, including those with learning difficulties or disabilities. Staff know the children well, and endeavour to meet their individual needs. Children begin to learn to value diversity through the activities and resources provided in the setting, however, these are quite limited. Children are encouraged to behave appropriately when at the club. The setting has a good behaviour policy in place, but this is not shared with parents or well explained to the children. Children relate very well with each other and the staff, they play well together and are usually kind and considerate to each other. Staff use appropriate strategies, including rewards and encouragement and some time out if necessary, to promote children's suitable behaviour. Children benefit from the setting's positive partnership with parents and carers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are provided with some written information about the club and receive regular newsletters, they are always welcomed into the setting. There is a suitable

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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 complaints procedure in place, but parents do not have good information about the club's policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The setting has suitable vetting, induction and recruitment procedures in place which contribute to children being well cared for and protected. All the staff have been appropriately vetted or are under going the process at present. Unvetted adults do not have unsupervised contact with children. None of the staff currently have appropriate childcare qualifications, however, the manager and deputy are now undertaking suitable training. The manager has secured funding for all other staff to attend level two training at a later date. Good adult to child ratios are always maintained ensuring children's play and care is positively supported. Children's, staff's and visitor's attendance is well recorded. All the required records, documentation, policies and procedures that help to promote children's health, safety and enjoyment are in place and securely stored. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the club was set a number of recommendations concerning record keeping, written procedures and organisation. At this inspection all the required records, policies and procedures were seen to be in place. This appropriately kept documentation helps to ensure the smooth organisation of the provision and promote children's safety, welfare and well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 Ofsted has received one complaint relating to National Standard 6 - Safety. Concern was raised in regard to the lack of an escort on the minibus used to collect children from school. Ofsted asked the provider to carry out an internal investigation. On receipt of the provider's response Ofsted made one recommendation and took no further action. The provider remains qualified to be registered. 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

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 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): • provide children with a good range of activities and resources that help them to learn to value diversity • devise an action plan outlining how the minimum regulatory qualifications requirements will be met • ensure parents are made aware of and have good access to all of the club's policies and procedures, especially the child protection procedures and behaviour policy.

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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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