Elm Street Kidz Club

Elm Street Kidz Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Elm Street Kidz Club

311356 Unique Reference Number 20 September 2006 Inspection date Hilary Mary Mckenning Inspector

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Elm Street Kidz Club

Skelmanthorpe Nursery School, Elm Street, Skelmanthorpe, Huddersfield, HD8 9DZ

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E-mail

Elm Street Kidz 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 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?

Elm Street Kidz Club opened as an Out of School Club and Play scheme in 1992. It operates from two rooms within the Elm Street Nursery School in Skelmanthorpe, near Huddersfield. There is a fully enclosed area for outdoor play. The Out of School provision serves the local area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The out of school club opens five days a week during school term time. Sessions are from 15.30 until 18.00. The play scheme sessions are from 8.30 until 18.00 during school holidays. There are currently 48 children on roll and they attend a variety of sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A committee of parents manages the club. There are six staff working with the children. They have a childcare qualification or working towards qualification. The setting receives support from the community 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 satisfactory. Children are active and enjoy regular outdoor play, which contributes to their general good health. They access to a wide variety of physical activities. For example, football and organised games outside, whenever the weather permits, along with the use of the indoor soft play climbing area and ball pool. Children move confidently and safely, indoors and outdoors, successfully negotiating space and obstacles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are independent in self-care skills and manage their personal needs, for example, they readily wash hands after using the toilet and before eating. This helps to minimise the risk of infections. There are appropriate arrangements in place for children who become ill. A clear written sickness policy, which is shared with parents, informs them of the positive practices in place to safeguard their children’s health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They enjoy meals and snacks of their own choosing from a variety of fruit and toast, which take into account children's dietary needs and parents' wishes. Children make their own drinks, helping themselves to fruit juices as and when they require. Snack times are an opportunity to enjoy a social time for children and staff to converse with each other. This contributes significantly to children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn to keep themselves safe as staff involve them in discussions around the club’s rules and teach them safe practice. For example, topics and themes about fire safety and regular practise of the evacuation procedure. However, there is no system for managing access to the premises or for ensuring children are not able to leave the club unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Resources for children are organised in low-level storage making it easy for them to reach and promotes choice and independence. However, systems for monitoring children’s toys and equipment do not fully ensure that they are appropriate for the children's ages and stages of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally well protected as the staff have a reasonable understanding of their role and responsibilities with regards to child protection matters. Policies and procedures are in place and follow the Local Safeguarding Children Board’s guidelines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time at the club as they arrive happy and eager to participate. They show enthusiasm and anticipation for the day's events. Children become independent as they choose between a broad variety of toys, books and activities. They enjoy exploring a wide range of

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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 that contribute to their creativity, such as painting and model making. The level of challenge is sufficient to interest most children in the activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children spend their time purposefully in solitary play or play co-operatively with their friends. They form good relationships with each other and staff and enjoy being part of the group. They are given appropriate levels of support and encouragement, which helps to develop their confidence and self- esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a wide range of resources and activities that offer challenge and promote children's well-being and development. Children enter into negotiation when organising time slots to play with the computer games and games console. However, some games are not appropriate for all children attending. Children's interests are stimulated and supported as the staff listen to children and respond appropriately. Children are developing close and caring relationships increasing their sense of trust and a sense of self.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, content and show a sense of belonging. They are familiar with daily routines and form good relationships with each other and staff. Children enjoy close and caring relationships with the staff and each other. They develop self-esteem and confidence as they voice their opinions and make choices and decisions. They play together and learn to manage their own behaviour. Children show they can negotiate as they decide between themselves for turn taking and sharing as they arrange times for playing with the computer games and games console.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved. They know what is expected, as they are involved in putting together the club rules. Children are developing an understanding of right and wrong, as they respond to reminders to care for each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children access a variety of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. As a result, children’s appreciation of the diversity of the wider community is developing. They are beginning to learn about cultures and beliefs through discussion and the celebration of festivals. They have access to a range of resources that reflect diversity and opportunities to find out about the local community are encouraged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents and carers are satisfactory. Parents are warmly welcomed into the setting and good relationships are developed. They have access to a notice board for details about club rules. Parents are kept informed about their child's care through daily verbal discussions.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are comfortable and at ease within the familiar environment. This means they are confident to initiate their own play and develop their independence. The club is organised to promote children's welfare, enabling them to participate actively within the environment.

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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 However, staff are not fully secure with their roles and responsibilities. Cover arrangements are in place to maintain staffing ratios. Children have the opportunity for both indoor and outdoor play activities.

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Organisation

Documentation of recordings, for example, accidents, medication and registers, are in place and up to date. Written policies and procedures are available which support the care of the children and comply with regulations. All records are in place with parental signatures. Documentation is stored to maintain confidentiality and security. 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

At the last inspection the provider was required to address a number of issues related to record keeping and documentation. The provider has reviewed all of the paperwork and now makes sure that all required parental consents are in place. These measures help to safeguard children in the event of an accident or illness.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider was also required to make available to parents a written statement providing details about the procedure to follow if they have a complaint and to develop their knowledge and awareness of child protection issues. The provider has now obtained advisory information from the local authority about child protection and the procedures to follow if there are concerns. The provider familiarised herself with the booklet, which makes her more confident to deal with any issues if they arise. The provider now includes on file, information details of how parents can make contact with Ofsted if they have unresolved concerns. These measures help to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded and to provide parents with useful information about the service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

In addition, it was recommended that the provider extend the range of resources to reflect diversity within society. There are more books and play figures which show positive images of other cultures but this remains an area that could be developed further.

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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. 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 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

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 the premises and outside play area are secure and children are not able to leave them unsupervised • ensure there is an effective system for managing access to the premises • develop robust systems for monitoring children's activities to ensure that they are appropriate for children's age and stage of development • develop staff’s knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities to promote their effective deployment.

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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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