Grange Kids Club

Grange Kids Club

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Grange Kids Club

EY268362 Unique Reference Number 18 September 2006 Inspection date Sandra Elizabeth Williams Inspector

p.1

Grange Kids Club

Fell Drive, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7JF Setting Address

p.1

Grange Kids Club

01539 532 392 and 07931 637 244 Telephone number

p.1

E-mail

Grange Kids Club Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Grange Kid's Club operates from Grange-over-Sands Primary School. The group has use of the main entrance, the school hall, library, classrooms one and two and the computer room. The group also has use of the outdoor play area, toilets and kitchen. It serves children from the local area. There are currently 20 children from four to 11 years on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports children with learning difficulties.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 15.15 until 18.00. A holiday play scheme is also provided during school holidays and runs from 8.30 until 17.30. There are two full-time and three part-time members of staff working with the children. Over 50% of staff have appropriate early years qualifications.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about being healthy and practising good hygiene routines as they are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times. They have created their own signs which are displayed on the door in the wash room to remind themselves to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating and baking. Children are protected from the risk of cross-infection as the staff have a sick child policy which prevents children from attending if they have contagious illnesses. The children's health needs are well catered for as the staff have recently updated their first aid training and have first aid kits available. Documentation for recording medication and accidents are available, however, not all entries in the accident book are signed by parents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical exercise as they have access to the extensive playground and have trips to the local park. They also enjoy creative dance sessions, which are facilitated by the playleader who is a qualified dance teacher. The children develop their fine motor skills as they engage in play with construction toys and craft activities.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy eating in very creative ways. They have recently created their own sensory garden and have successfully grown several types of herbs and vegetables. They are very proud of their achievements and their hard work has been recognised by the Mayor, who recently came to officially open the garden. This has been a wonderful and innovative opportunity for the children to learn about the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle and to learn about how to grow their very own fresh food.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a safe, secure and welcoming environment that enables them to feel confident to move about the setting safely. Good safety procedures are followed, such as not climbing on the furniture. Risk assessments are in place to identify and resolve hazards, maintaining the thorough safety standards of the premises, inside and outside. Children are developing a good knowledge of keeping themselves safe by undertaking planned activities with the staff using work sheets devised by Kidscape. On outings, the children learn about road safety by following the Green Cross Code. The children are also learning about fire safety as they regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedure with the staff.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to gain independence and skills as they easily access the play resources available. Some children choose to play with construction toys, whilst others choose to play football outside. They benefit from the close supervision of the staff, who are sensitive to individual needs and offer support when needed. The children are relaxed, have fun and move freely around the welcoming premises.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is further safeguarded through the staff's sound knowledge of the local child protection procedures. The staff have undertaken child protection training in the past and have

p.3

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 a general awareness of what to do if they have concerns about the children's safety. However, their knowledge and training is not completely up-to-date.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy and achieve due to the wonderful range of imaginative and inspiring activities available to them. The children are consulted about what activities they would like to undertake and the staff take their requests seriously. The staff encourage the children to take responsibility for 'their club' and put their suggestions in a suggestions box. The children, staff and parents evaluate the activities on completion. The children have recently had opportunities to express their creativity by creating the sensory garden, which has had a mention in the local newspaper. They have had the superb experience of travelling to the local Chinese restaurant in a stretch limousine, which the children relished. Their self-esteem and confidence has been promoted by writing letters to Tony Blair and the Palace, requesting that they visit their club. The children are delighted to have received written responses from them. The children have excellent

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opportunities to develop their computer skills as they have regular use of the school's computers. The children confidently and competently research topics by visiting suggested websites and gathering relevant information to share with the rest of the group. This means that the children are starting to use their initiative and take control of their learning.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have good, trusting relationships with the staff and settle confidently with them. Their self-esteem is highly promoted through much praise for their achievements. Children enjoy being at the club and playing with friends they know from school. They play well together and have many good opportunities to further develop their individual skills, indoors and outdoors.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and play a full part in the club because staff value and respect their individuality. They are encouraged to develop positive attitudes about a diverse society through the activities provided by the staff, such as celebrating Id by making cards and hand painting. They have also celebrated the Japanese kite festival by making kites and displaying them on the walls. The children are about to embark upon a topic on the computer, which is to write to pen pals in a school in Wales. Children learn about their own community by being involved in many projects, such as the sensory garden, by visiting the library and also meeting the local coast guards to learn about safety with regard to the sea.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties are very well supported and are thoroughly integrated into the club. Staff work well with each other, as well as with parents and other professionals, to maximise the support to these children. The staff also very effectively encourage all the children in the club to be supportive and inclusive towards each other. This develops the children's understanding of others. Positive behaviour is constantly encouraged by the use of praise and encouragement. The children learn right from wrong due to the staff's fair approach. The children are involved in the formulation of the club rules and have written them on the wall.

p.4

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 benefit from the very positive partnership the staff have with the parents. The staff work very closely with the parents, sharing information on a daily basis to ensure that the children's individual needs are recognised and their welfare is promoted. Some parents make comments during the inspection about how much they appreciate the staff and the service they provide for their children. Staff are very approachable and friendly. The staff have a complaints policy, however, it has not yet been reviewed in line with recent legislation.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to take an active part in the setting, which is well supervised by the staff to promote the children's enjoyment and achievements. They are relaxed and confident in the environment, with their individual care further supported by the staff being well qualified and experienced. There are effective recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff plan an extremely interesting range of activities so that the children enjoy varied play in a busy, friendly atmosphere. Staff organise space and resources very well so that children can move about and access equipment easily. Children's needs are known and recorded through thorough systems. Required records are in place, however, the complaints policy has not yet been updated. Policies are available to parents and are carefully stored confidentially in a cupboard. Children's good quality of care is further reflected in the positive

p.5

Organisation

feedback from parents who appreciate the friendly, reliable childcare provision.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was agreed that all entries in the accident book are countersigned by parents. This recommendation has been partly met but the recommendation is carried forward in this report. It was also agreed that the staff and children's hours of attendance are recorded in the daily register. This has been completed, thus ensuring an accurate record of people present at any one time.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 that all entries in the accident book are countersigned by parents • update knowledge regarding child protection • set up a system for recording complaints

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

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

p.6