Redwood Lodge

Redwood Lodge

Inspection report for early years provision

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Redwood Lodge

EY290175 Unique Reference Number 11 September 2006 Inspection date Jean Wilson Inspector

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Redwood Lodge

St. Oswalds C of E Infant & Nursery School, Church Street, Durham, County Durham, DH1 3DQ

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E-mail

St Oswald's Sunshine Club Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Full day care, 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory. At the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

St Oswald's Sunshine Club opened in 2004 and is run by a committee. It operates from a self-contained single storey building. It is situated near the centre of Durham City. A maximum of 24 children may attend day care at any one time. The club is open each weekday, 50 weeks of the year, from 08.00 until 18.00. Out of school hours care is offered each weekday during term time from 08.00 until 09.00 and 15.00 until 18.00. Staff take children to and collect them from local schools by taxi. A play scheme is available each weekday from 08.00 until 18.00 during school holiday periods. All children share access to an enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 40 children aged from three years to under eight years on roll. Currently, no children receive funding for nursery education. The club employs four staff members. Of

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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 these, two hold an early years qualification. One member of staff is currently working towards a Level 2 qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is actively promoted. Children thrive because staff follow effective procedures and practices which meet their health, physical and nutritional needs. They are protected from illness and infection through the provision of a clean environment and the exclusion of children who are sick. Staff support the children and act as good role models, helping them to develop a positive awareness and understanding of health issues and an eagerness to become increasingly independent in their personal care. They learn about adopting good procedures through well planned and established daily routines. For example, children wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating and after messy play, to stop 'germs spreading'. Children are suitably looked after if they become ill and are well protected through the staff's knowledge of first aid. All children are able to rest according to their needs. They know the procedures to follow

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Helping children to be healthy

if medication is administered or accidents occur. All records are maintained well and shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. Drinks are regularly on offer throughout the day. All children enjoy fruit at snack time. Lunch time is a relaxed and social time. Well balanced, varied and freshly cooked meals which take account of the individual and dietary needs of children are provided.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of physical activities on a regular basis that contributes to their good health and which helps them to develop control and co-ordination of their bodies. Younger children have use of the garden area throughout the day. They run freely with friends, play ball and join in co-operative games with the staff. For more space and challenging exercise, children attending after school have use of the facilities of the adjacent primary school. Staff support children well to develop new skills, for example, holding a pencil correctly, using the computer mouse effectively and managing cutlery at meal times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a safe environment and enjoy the security of being cared for by a staff team who have keen safety awareness. Arrangements for the arrival and collection of children are well managed and safety procedures include having clear written agreements about who can collect children. They are supervised vigilantly because staff are well deployed. Routine safety procedures, such as regular fire drills and daily recorded checks, are in place to protect children and minimise risks. However, some children manage to open the entrance gate as it is not secure, which could compromise children's safety.

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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 Well organised space ensures that children of all ages are able to freely choose resources from mobile work trays and low level units. Children enjoy playing with a suitable range of safe, clean and well maintained toys and equipment appropriate for their ages and stages of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further protected because staff are well informed about their role and responsibility in safeguarding their welfare. They are familiar with the process of monitoring, recording and reporting child protection concerns and are guided by up to date written procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All age groups of children are happy and content because they benefit from being cared for by warm and attentive staff. Children new to the setting enjoy the one to one interaction with an established and consistent key worker. Staff are familiar with their individual needs and interests. This means children separate well from parents and carers and quickly settle into activities and daily routines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children readily choose their own activities and access their own play and learning experiences with confidence. They enjoy being together in small groups where they can play with the train track or sit and share books. Staff have created comfortable areas to ensure this is possible. There is a good balance of free play and adult-led activities, such as story time, creative activities, water play and dance sessions. Three-year-olds are growing in confidence and beginning to join in group conversations, sharing their interests and comments with the group. They enjoy stories and most listen attentively. Children have opportunity to play imaginatively. For example, they take on individual roles when playing in the kitchen area developing simple storylines. Staff support their play well, asking appropriate questions to extend their learning and understanding. Systems are in place to monitor and record children’s progress. Staff have good

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

awareness of children's interests and ensure activities are fun and interesting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children attending after school arrive happy and eager to participate, enjoying their time at the club. They show considerable independence and make choices about the games and resources they want to play with. They enjoy good opportunities to initiate activities for themselves. They are able to partake in different activities of their choice, including craft, drawing, board and computer games. Staff participate fully in children’s activities, encouraging them to join in and enhancing their play further. Children talk very positively about the after school provision of the club.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. There are currently no children in receipt of three and four-year-old funding on roll. However, staff have a sound knowledge of the Foundation Stage and how to plan to meet children's needs. They have provided evidence through discussion and documentation how they would use the nursery's resources to develop the curriculum. They are clear on how they could use the current resources for funded children when they attend. The layout of the play room is favourable for children to access their own play and learning opportunities. There are resources available for children to develop their information communication and technology skills through use of the computer already on site.

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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 Activities in the planning and resources displayed show good opportunities for maths, for example, measuring and weighing. Staff have sufficient knowledge on how to provide creative activities that allow children to express themselves freely. They also understand how children develop their communication, language and literacy skills and the activities that will promote this learning. Staff have a good knowledge of where children are developmentally. Plans provided for the children's activities reflect this. However, observations made on the children's progress are infrequent, which may result in staff having insufficient knowledge to support all areas of their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave very well. They show good respect for others and their needs. Children play well in small and large groups even with popular play resources. Three-year-olds soon adjust to the nursery and manage without direct support from their parents or carers. Older children are gaining a good awareness of self discipline and starting to show initiative. For example, waiting their turn for the computer and assisting younger children without being asked to help. Children are set a good role model by staff members. They are polite and courteous towards the children and any unacceptable behaviour is dealt with fairly, sensitively and according to the individual needs of each child. Children take part in a variety of activities that inform them about festivals and celebrations that may be different from their own. However, the range of resources that promote positive images of gender, ethnicity, culture and disability is limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given equal access to all resources regardless of gender. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Appropriate procedures are in place to ensure that all children integrate and are supported and valued. Systems have been devised so that staff work with parents and other relevant parties, ensuring that appropriate action can be taken to promote the welfare and development of any children with additional needs. Children benefit from a staff team who work closely with the parents ensuring the children's individual needs are met. For example, there is a flexible settling in process allowing the parents to spend as much or a little time as required to settle the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is satisfactory. Children benefit from the close relationships the staff build with their parents. Staff ensure there is good verbal communication when they leave and collect their child. Sound procedures are in place for informing all parents about the daily running of the club, including parents of children in receipt of three and four-year-old funding. Parents receive detailed written information about the running if the organisation and future events. However, the complaints procedure does not fully inform parents of how to proceed if they should have a concern.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Sound recruitment and vetting systems ensure children are appropriately cared for by suitable staff. The manager monitors day-to-day arrangements to ensure there are sufficient staff on

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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 duty and that they are suitably deployed, thereby contributing towards children’s continuity of care. Children also benefit from a key worker system. At present, numbers attending the group are low and pre-school children and older children attending the club after school share the same room. This arrangement is managed well by the staff and the younger children benefit from the good behaviour and positive interaction of the older group.

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Organisation

A broad range of policy and procedure statements clearly identify the operational plan, which is appropriately implemented in the setting. However, not all policy documents have been updated to reflect changes in staff responsibilities. Children state that they enjoy coming to the club. They are gaining the confidence to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children's personal records and other associated documentation are adequately maintained, in line with the requirements of the National Standards.

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Organisation

Leadership and Management is satisfactory. Staff benefit from a sound supervision and appraisal system that ensures they are adequately supported. The manager demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to her role. The staff are supported well and demonstrate a strong commitment to ongoing training in order to develop their knowledge and skills and further improve practices within the club. The manager has in place provision to evaluate and monitor the staff's work with children in receipt of three and four-year-old funding. Training has already been provided for staff who will be working in this area, ensuring that they have an up to date knowledge of the Foundation Stage and how to plan for this.

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Organisation

Overall, the setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory. At the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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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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 all safety measures are in place to protect children, with regard to ensuring children cannot leave the premises unsupervised • develop the complaint procedure to reflect changes in legislation, to ensure a record is available and so that parents are aware that they can contact Ofsted at any time should they have a concern • ensure all policy documents accurately indicate staff responsibilities.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure staff make a sufficient amount of observations on the children (also for child care)

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 nursery education

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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