University Hospital Playscheme

University Hospital Playscheme

Inspection report for early years provision

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University Hospital Playscheme

Unique Reference Number 254558 Inspection date 26 July 2006 Inspector Judith Chinnery

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University Hospital Playscheme

Setting Address Montpelier Road, Dunkirk, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG7 2JY Telephone number 0115 9420978

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E-mail

Registered person University Day Nursery Ltd 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 University Hospital Play-scheme registered in 1998 and can accommodate 40 children between the ages of four years to under eight years, children over eight years also attend the facility. There are 104 children on roll. The setting supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. It operates from the Dunkirk Community Centre, Dunkirk, Nottingham, and is for employees of the National Health Service Trust only. The scheme has access to three areas within the community centre, a large hall is used for activities for children

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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 under eight with a side room for children over eight, although all children can mix together for some activities and trips. An additional area is used as a dinning room. There are kitchen and toilet facilities. Access to outdoor play is provided at an adjoining school. This facility operates during the Easter school holidays and for five weeks during the summer holidays. Opening times are 07:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday. There are eight staff who work with the children, five have early years or teacher qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy being active and their good health is promoted well in this setting. They get outside every day and participate in ball games and use the climbing apparatus which ensures they run, climb, balance and jump. They are able to develop their confidence and agility as they join in with various games and work together. The setting is kept clean. The staff have established good hygiene routines and the children happily wash their hands before lunch and snack with little prompting or the need for supervision. Records of accidents and medication are detailed and up to date as is the information about children's requirements regarding allergies and sun cream enabling staff to meet their individual health needs effectively. Staff follow appropriate guidelines regarding children's packed lunches. Children remain well nourished and enjoy meal times together as staff engage them in

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Helping children to be healthy

conversations about home life as well as discussions about healthy eating. Staff provide fruit choices as well as sweets in the tuck shop to encourage the children to make healthy choices. They are able to help themselves to drinking water from the machine when ever they want and staff remind them to drink regularly especially during hot weather so that they remain hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe in the setting because staff maintain a safe environment. An up to date risk assessment enables staff to identify any hazards and minimise any risks posed to the children effectively. The areas used by the children are free from trailing wires, sockets are covered and external exits are kept locked to prevent access by unwanted visitors. The children know how to use equipment safely such as scissors and the climbing apparatus because staff explain how to use them appropriately. Discussions with the children at the beginning of the play-scheme encourage them to take responsibility for their own safety as they follow rules and remind each other to be careful. The setting is well equipped with a wide variety of well chosen resources. children are

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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 able to participate in activities with craft, sports and games because the resources are appropriate for their age and ability and are safe to use. The room where the children play inside is attractively decorated with some displays of the children's own work, welcoming them and visitors in to the scheme. Children are protected and safeguarded in the setting because staff know local child protection guidelines. They are aware of the main signs of child abuse and know to whom they should report any concerns to.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well occupied and busy in this setting. They are involved in a wide variety of worthwhile and stimulating activities and events which help them play and learn effectively. The staff are knowledgeable about the needs of the children, they discuss with them ideas for activities and loosely plan the weeks activities using the children's ideas so that the programme is exciting and based on their interests and what they would like to do. They enjoy getting involved in games of football sharing the ball and taking turns in goal. They test their skills in aim and accuracy as they take part in games of skittles. Many of them exercise their creative skills as they design and make animal masks using paint and collage. The children are adept at threading beads to make their own jewellery as well as trying to sew. Some of the younger children happily improvise with various items from the balancing beam set to build and create their own fort.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They play well together agreeing roles and actions for their particular scenario.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are well settled and happy in the scheme. They form close relationships with the staff and with others. Some of the older children help the younger ones with tasks and activities such as holding items for the child while they stick or by offering ideas and suggestions. The children behave really well. Staff establish clear and simple ground rules with the children at the beginning of the scheme. Since the children have been involved in these they are good at taking responsibility for their own behaviour. Older children take turns and resolve their own minor squabbles, while younger children accept the support and intervention of staff easily in resolving any differences. Support for children who have learning difficulties or disabilities is very good. Staff are careful to find out about and record their individual needs working closely with parents and other professionals. They encourage the children to join in and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

participate with the others and adapt activities accordingly so that all children are included in the life of the setting. Staff's understanding of equal opportunities is

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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 sound. They challenge the children's ideas about gender regarding boy's and girl's colours and ensure that can participate in games such as football together. The children are developing in their respect for themselves and each other since they discuss differences and use resources such as books and dressing up clothes which reflect diversity and other cultures. Children's care is enhanced and their individual needs are well met because the staff work in partnership with parents. They are kept well informed about the provision. Staff give good written information about the setting and its policies and provide daily verbal feedback about their child's day. While parents know how to complain should they not be satisfied, there is as yet no format available for recording these so that all

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Helping children make a positive contribution

aspects of children's care is not made transparent to all.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The good organisation of the setting benefits the children and ensures that they are well settled and secure. The staff and volunteers work well together supporting each other in supervising and working directly with the children. Many of the staff have worked with the scheme before and know the children well. At least half the staff hold relevant child care qualifications and keep their training and knowledge up to date to ensure that children are well cared for. The needs of the children for whom the setting provides are met. Robust recruitment and induction procedures ensure that staff are suitable to be with children and that the children are safeguarded and protected. The appropriate staff to child ratios are always followed which ensures that children are supported well. Staff organise the room and its activities appropriately so that children can access materials and activities freely and easily. Most records are in place, other than a

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Organisation

record for any complaints, are accurate and up to date and policies and procedures are regularly reviewed. These contribute effectively in helping staff to promote good outcomes for the children in their care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection in August 2004 the setting was asked to improve staff's awareness of local child protection guidelines and to obtain written permission to administer medication. Since the last inspection the staff have received appropriate training and have an up to date policy and procedure to support them. The children are protected and safeguarded because the staff are now aware of local child protection guidelines. Written permission is also obtained from parents to administer medication so that children's health needs are met safely.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection in August 2004.

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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 The provider is required to keep a record of any 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): • maintain a record of any complaints made by parents.

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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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