Scaliwagz

Scaliwagz Ltd

Inspection report for early years provision

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Scaliwagz Ltd

Unique Reference Number EY253671 Inspection date 07 June 2006 Inspector Ann Law

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Scaliwagz Ltd

Setting Address Conduit Street, Moorside, Oldham, Lancashire, OL1 4JX

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Scaliwagz Ltd

Telephone number 0161 284 9702 E-mail scaliwagz@aol.com Registered person Scaliwagz Ltd Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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Scaliwagz Ltd

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?

Scaliwagz Ltd is one of two out of school clubs run by a private organisation. It opened in 2002 and operates from the community rooms in Hodge Clough Junior School in Moorside, near Oldham. A maximum of 40 children may attend the provision at any one time. The out of school club is open each weekday, in term time, from 07.30 to 09.00 and from 15.15 to 17.30. In the school holidays the play scheme operates from 07.30 to 17.30. All children share access to a fully enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 67 children, aged from four to 11 years on roll. The group

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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 currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties. The group employs seven members of staff. Of these, four are working towards appropriate childcare qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic setting. They are aware of good personal hygiene practices and happily comply with well established routines when washing their hands before snack. Snacks are very healthy and include a variety of fresh fruit, such as apples, pears, bananas and oranges which the children tuck into with gusto. Children have free access to drinks throughout the sessions allowing them to get a drink when they are thirsty, such as after playing out in the sunshine. The children enjoy physical activity in the school grounds. They can choose from a range of equipment to develop their large motor skills, such as skipping ropes, elastics and balls. Children take part in organised games, such as football; consequently, they are developing team spirit and a positive attitude to exercise. The extensive outdoor play areas allow children to find a quiet space to rest and chat to

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Helping children to be healthy

their friends if they do not want to take part in strenuous activity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very safe indoor and outdoor environment. They have independent access to safe and well maintained furniture, equipment and age-appropriate toys and resources, which meet their varying needs and do not compromise their safety. Daily risk assessments are undertaken to minimise hazards and good security systems are in place to protect children and staff on the premises. For example, staff in the outdoor area have a walkie-talkie to ensure full contact with staff indoors, so that in an emergency they can contact each other immediately. Staff pay paramount importance to ensuring children's safety when they are collected and transported from other schools to the club. Clear registers are in place for the identification and location of the children and staff remain vigilant throughout the walk and crossing the roads. As a result, children are learning how to conduct themselves

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in a safe manner when near traffic. Good fire precautions are in place, including an emergency evacuation plan which is regularly practised with the children to ensure that they are all aware of the procedure and it is recorded to highlight any potential problems. All of the required procedures are in place to safeguard children's welfare; the child protection policy has regard to local authority procedures, which include the contact numbers for reporting any suspected child abuse and many members of staff have attended training in child protection. Accidents are managed appropriately and the records are shared with parents to facilitate children's continuity of care.

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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 enthusiastic and self-assured in the club's relaxed environment. They settle quickly into their self-chosen play and eagerly take part in activities. Written records are kept to ensure that there are a variety of resources and activities available on a daily basis to stimulate children's interest and to keep them well occupied. For example, on the day of the inspection children chose from computer games, role play, physical play, and drawing and designing. Staff allow children time to become engrossed in their chosen activity. For example, children demonstrate good levels of concentration and perseverance in creating clothing designs and decorating them with fabric, sequins and braid. Staff value their creativity, awarding certificates for their achievements and attractive wall displays of the finished products promote children's self-esteem. There are many opportunities

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

for children to play co-operatively in the club, such as skipping. The children are developing good friendships; they happily take turns to turn the rope, developing timing and co-ordination, whilst reciting rhymes. The skippers increase their gross motor skills and rhythm when keeping up with the rope.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well met in the provision, because staff seek the necessary information from parents in order to identify any additional needs they may have, such as asthma or hay fever. Gathering this information allows staff to make informed choices for the children to protect their health, such as organising indoor play when the grass has just been cut. Children experience a sense of belonging in the club when they see their named art work displayed on the walls for all to admire. Staff are good role models for children's behaviour and their relaxed, positive and attentive approach is imitated by the children, resulting in good standards of behaviour being maintained. Parents are welcomed into the club by friendly staff who take the time to talk to them about their child's time in the provision; parents are appreciative of the care children receive. Although some information is provided

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about the club, the complaints procedure is not entirely compliant with new requirements and this does not fully contribute to an effective partnership with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The club is mostly well organised. Staff are deployed effectively to ensure that children are safe and secure and are able to initiate their own play and learning. Recruitment and vetting procedures are in place for new staff, but they are not fully robust to ensure that sufficient evidence is gathered regarding staff suitability to work

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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 with children and to ensure their continuing effectiveness. A sound understanding is held of the legally required documentation, the majority of which is fully compliant and this is maintained confidentially. Registers for the children's attendance are transparent, however, the registers for the staff do not evidence that sufficient adult to child ratios are maintained on the school collections. There are minor anomalies in some of the documentation; management need to ensure that these are rectified for a more consistent approach to record keeping so that all staff know where to access documents. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the group were asked to improve their documentation for recording accidents. New forms have been devised which include the facility to obtain parent's acknowledgement signature; these are maintained in confidential manner, contributing to effective partnerships with parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A concern was raised against National Standard 1: Suitable Person, relating to the conduct of staff when dealing with parents. We asked the provider to investigate and report back to Ofsted. The provider submitted a detailed report of the incident which was reviewed and Ofsted is satisfied that the registered person has taken appropriate steps to address the concern. The provider continues to be registered with Ofsted. 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. This concern has been recorded in the provider's complaints record.

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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):

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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 • expand the recruitment, selection and vetting procedures to ensure that sufficient evidence is gathered regarding staff suitability to work with children and to ensure their continuing effectiveness • extend the registers to clearly show the ratios of staff to children on the school runs • improve the complaints policy to provide clear information for parents regarding the procedures to be followed for recording and investigating complaints.

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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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