SoLO Holidays

Reynalds Cross School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Reynalds Cross School

Unique Reference Number EY263946 Inspection date 02 August 2006 Inspector Teresa Marie Taylor

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Reynalds Cross School

Setting Address Kineton Green Road, Olton, Solihull, West Midlands, B92 7ER

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E-mail

Registered person Solihull Leisure Opportunities 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 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?

The playscheme was registered in 2003. It runs within Reynolds Cross Special School and is specifically for children with special needs. Children have the use of several classrooms, the main hall and the secure outdoor play area. The group opens during August for six days and occasionally during other school holidays depending on funding. Children come from a wide area and transport is provide for those who need it. There were 16 children attending of which two were under eight years old.

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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 The group has five staff who hold appropriate early years qualifications and they are supported by additional staff and volunteers.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well protected as staff have ensured that they have all the necessary information from parents to provide the appropriate individual health care that each young person needs. Staff maintain good personal hygiene procedures thereby reducing the risk of cross infection. This is supported by clear policies, which are available to parents, detailing many aspects of general health and safety issues. Health issues are discussed with the children within each ones ability. Children are encouraged to play outside at any time to encourage their physical activity. Staff are aware of individual needs regarding children's safety and knowledge of danger and closely supervise children at all times. Children's individual dietary needs are carefully recorded and followed. This ensures that children are provided with healthy snacks and parents are clear on how much food their child has had during the day. Parents provide packed lunches and these

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Helping children to be healthy

are stored in a fridge ensuring they remain safe to eat and, health and food hygiene requirements are met. Children's individual needs at meal times are carefully observed. Staff sit with children either on a 1:1 basis or as small groups ensuring children receive as much attention and assistance as they require. Water is freely available for the more able children to access as often as they wish. Less able children are offered drinks at very regular intervals with staff being very aware of keeping children hydrated especially during the hot weather. Detailed information is obtained from parents regarding children's medication. This is recorded and all information shared with all staff ensuring children's medical needs are met. The accident record is not retained on the premises but the blank forms show a space for the parents to sign acknowledging they have been informed of any accident that occurs. The first aid box is a domestic one and the provider needs to

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Helping children to be healthy

check the requirements for a setting of this size.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into a very child centred environment. The majority of children attend the school and they settle well into the groups they are allocated too. Staff monitor the children closely to enable them to have as much freedom of movement around the building and grounds as their ability allows and is safe for them. This encourages the children to develop independence. There is a mostly suitable range of equipment and activities which the staff ensure are safe and suitable for the children's individual needs. All staff have received training in the use of specialist equipment ensuring the children remain safe and

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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 secure. All activities and outings are thoroughly risk assessed to ensure the children can gain the maximum value in a safe environment. Individual levels of care are very good with staffing ratios tailored to individual needs ensuring each child is given every opportunity to experience all of the activities on offer. Children's safety is given a very high priority and many children receive 1:1 care. Risks and dangers are discussed enabling children to develop an understanding about keeping themselves safe and caring for others. Children are well protected because all staff have undertaken child protection training and are very aware of their responsibilities. They are very clear that the children's welfare is their prime responsibility. However, the groups child protection statement

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

does not meet the requirements of the Standards. The statement does not include what procedures would be followed should allegations be made about staff or what the staff responsibilities are regarding the reporting of suspected child abuse. Parents are therefore not aware of what procedures the group would follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Activities and play opportunities are carefully planned and designed to enable every child to participate within their individual ability. Scope is provided for children to initiate their own activities and the staff respond very well, organising themselves quickly to provide attention and interaction in whatever area or activity the children have chosen. This approach enables the children to develop self confidence and self-esteem. Children's ability and experiences cover a wide range but the staff have adapted all activities to enable all children to participate. The cooking activity was particularly well-organised with some children cooking cakes from scratch and others using ready made icing to decorate ready made cakes. Individual skills are recognised and developed giving all children a sense of achievement. Staff recognise the need for children to be able to experience and participate in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities that would be undertaken by more able children. In order to accomplish this they are taken on many outings and enjoy the activities provided by visiting specialists. Some of these activities were; a circus workshop, a drum workshop, sports, music and sound beams session, and visits to an adventure playground and a sensory sea life centre. Staff showed patience, commitment and dedication. They enabled children to get as much as possible from their time at the setting as they have the skills and knowledge to extend the children's social skills and positively promote their independence and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected as individuals who have clearly defined needs of their own

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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 outside of their special needs. Their confidence and self-esteem are actively promoted and nurtured by a very committed and dedicated staff team. Children are given every opportunity to communicate, with staff being attentive and observant of how individuals communicate. Staff maintain eye contact, keep up a steady flow of conversation, provide pictorial representation of activities and sign. This ensures that as many forms of communication as possible are explored and available enabling the majority of children to clearly express their needs and wishes. The management of children's behaviour is well addressed. Prior to admission each child has an individual assessment undertaken in association with their parents. This clearly identifies children's specific needs. For the children who require it one to one

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Helping children make a positive contribution

care is provided. This enables all children to participate in all activities as staff are clear on individual needs and children's possible responses to strange or new experiences. Staff maintain a calm, sensitive and gentle approach at all times. This ensures that even when managing some difficult behaviour children's dignity and self-esteem are protected. Parents are provided with some written information prior to children attending but this is brief. They are informed that they can request to see the group's policies but these are not easily available. Parent's views and interaction are seen as vital to ensure the children can get as much as possible from their time at the group. There is good information sharing and staff ensure time is available for parents to discuss any aspect of their child's care at any time. The group provide transport for any family or child who needs it. This ensures that any child who wishes to attend is able to. Every

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Helping children make a positive contribution

child is provided with a daily communication book this ensures that parents are kept fully informed of their child's day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the well trained, dedicated and experienced staff group. They are given a high level of care which identifies and recognises each child's individual needs. The good organisation, high level of team work and clear management provides staff with a good platform enabling them encourage and develop each child's abilities in a safe and child centred environment. The high staff ratios provided ensures children receive good attention, have their needs met appropriately and are able to express themselves in a safe and secure manner. The groups commitment to provide a wide range of play experiences and opportunities is clear due to the careful planning which is adjusted to meet each child's individual needs. The majority of documentation and procedures are well-organised, kept secure and confidential. The daily register is completed as a tick chart and needs to be

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Organisation

amended. All children's information is shared with parents and regularly reviewed to ensure the appropriate care is provided for each child. The provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints received by Ofsted since registration. 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 the contents of the first aid box meets the Environmental Health requirements for the size of the group and that the accident record is available for inspection • ensure the child protection policy complies with the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines, includes details of procedures to be followed should allegations be made about staff and, is shared with parents prior to children attending • ensure the daily register includes the children's times of arrival and departure.

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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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