Parkstone Kids Club

Parkstone Kids Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Parkstone Kids Club

509977 Unique Reference Number 27 September 2006 Inspection date Linda Phillips Inspector

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Parkstone Kids Club

Riverside Community Centre, Parkstone Road, Hull, HU6 7DE Setting Address

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E-mail

Parkstone Kids Club Registered person Childcare Type of inspection 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

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?

Parkstone Kids Club has been registered since 1997 and is run by a voluntary committee. A maximum of 35 children may attend the club at any one time, from the age of three years to 14 years of age. It is open each weekday from 07.30 to 09.00 and 15.15 to 17.30 term time, and 08.00 to 17.30 during school holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club is located on the outskirts of Kingston upon Hull in the Riverside Community Centre in the grounds of a primary school. All children share access to a secure, enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Employed at the club are five staff. Of these, all but one hold an appropriate early years qualification. Support for the club is through from the Pre-School Learning Alliance and the local authority.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children understand the importance of good hygiene practice and this is encouraged through consistent routines. They show good responsibility for their own hygiene by washing their hands as soon as they arrive at the club in preparation for their snack. Children's health needs are respected and there are clear systems in place; for example, a written sick children policy and a detailed accident procedure. Staff hold appropriate first aid certificates and therefore act appropriately if an accident occurs. Children are protected from the sun when playing outside as parents are reminded to supply creams and hats for them. The large room used has space for children to enjoy physical play, and the outdoor area has large pieces of fixed equipment which enables them to climb, swing and balance, in addition to participating in ball games and team games. Children have the freedom to choose activities for themselves including

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Helping children to be healthy

A light snack is provided and, although it is prepared by the staff, children serve one another with fresh fruit, crisps and drinks. Throughout each session drinks are readily available for children to help themselves. Children use the snack time as a social event where they can discuss their day with their friends and staff. Opportunities arise for children to learn about healthy diets through planned themes and information displayed on walls, and for six weeks a food inspirer visited the club to work with the children and their parents regarding healthy options.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play well in a comfortable and safe environment. Areas used by them are spacious and well decorated, and furniture and equipment are suitable to meet their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Systems are in place for ensuring children arrive safely as the register is taken in the school hall prior to all walking together to the club. Parents are invited to telephone to check their child is safe. One staff member is responsible for being on door duty each session and children are kept safe until parents arrive to collect them and are then escorted from the building.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from hazards in the setting, and the designated staff member for any health and safety issues carries out risk assessments and reports any concerns for appropriate actions to be taken. Children are also aware of risk assessments and carry out their own, for example, to minimise risks when playing sports and games. Children are included in the planning of themes, which include addressing safety issues including 'stranger danger' and safety in the home, garden and beach. Although staff have a sound knowledge of safety issues, regular fire drills are not always carried out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well guarded because staff have a sound understanding of child protection issues and local reporting procedures, and have attended relevant training courses to broaden their knowledge.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and happy and enjoy a fun relationship with each other and the staff. Children eagerly speak of their involvement in the planning of activities for each session, and for older children questionnaires are offered asking further for their ideas and suggestions. Children have free choice to participate in a structured activity offered each session or to play independently. The activity of the session was to make 'our friends' from craft materials, which the children enjoyed greatly and these were then displayed on the wall.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A wide range of good quality toys, play materials and resources are available to the children and include indoors items, such as various board games, television, computer games, books, and art and craft materials, and for outdoors sports equipment and an enclosed play area are available. Children show confidence and talk freely in their play, whilst staff are enthusiastic in joining in and supporting them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Themes are worked to which include addressing other cultures, customs, celebrations and festivals. Children learn about the wider world through the wide selection of resources available to them. Photographs are taken of such activities and provide a good source of evidence of opportunities undertaken by the children. Individual box files contain good examples of activities and themes which are evaluated by the staff regularly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are confident and have a strong sense of belonging as they are greeted into the club by caring and enthusiastic staff. All children are welcome to attend, including those from other cultures and races, in addition to those with learning disabilities. A written, informative equal opportunity policy is available and parents have access to this. Parents are asked to supply written details of their child's individual needs and requirements upon admission.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved as they understand clear boundaries, and club 'rules' are displayed as a reminder. They receive meaningful praise; for example, when respecting that their five minutes with a computer game is over and passing it over to others wishing to play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents are very strong. They have daily opportunities to discuss any issues with staff as there is an open-door policy in place. A number of parents express their total satisfaction with the setting and staff. Some parents, who have been using the club for their children for a number of years, have clearly built up a meaningful relationship with staff and enjoy healthy banters with them. Parents are encouraged to offer suggestions and contributions as to the running of the club, and are kept well informed by way of regular newsletters and the updating of the noticeboard. However, parents may not be familiar with how to make a complaint as the procedure was not available. General policies and procedures are readily available for them to access, and a parent folder is also available.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well looked after in a safe and welcoming environment and benefit from staff being organised and enthusiastic. There has only been one change of staff, which results in them working well together as a team to provide a good continuity of care. Staff are qualified and experienced in childcare and have a good knowledge and understanding of children's needs. They are confident, competent and fully committed to the children.

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Organisation

All policies and procedures are easily accessible and are displayed on a table in the entrance hall. Confidential records are stored securely in the office, some of which are only accessible to the manager and her named deputy. Records are maintained well and are clear, but the naming of individual children in public records of activities and opportunities results in their confidentialities not always being maintained.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the recording of accidents has been improved by introducing individual sheets to further enhance confidentiality.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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.

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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.

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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): • ensure regular fire drills are carried out with relevant records maintained • ensure the complaints procedure is prominently displayed

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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 • ensure the names of children are not recorded in the general record of activities, for confidentiality.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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