Greenfield Primary School and Early Years Centre

Mini-Madness

Inspection report for early years provision

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Mini-Madness

Unique Reference Number 106178 Inspection date 26 July 2006 Inspector Christine Slaney

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Mini-Madness

Setting Address Dawlish Leisure Centre, Sandy Lane, Dawlish, Devon, EX7 0AF

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E-mail

Registered person Teignbridge District Council 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Teignbridge District Council operates the Mini-Madness play scheme at Dawlish Leisure Centre, which is located near to the town centre of Dawlish, in Devon. It was registered in 1999. The play scheme has use of the main sports hall, the cafe area, public toilets and the nearby enclosed park, as well as the centre swimming pool. The play scheme provides care for up to 24 children from 09:00 to 12:00 and 12:30 to 15:30 daily, during the summer holidays. It also runs during the Easter break and occasional half terms. Children may attend both sessions and bring a packed lunch.

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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 number of children on roll varies. The supervisor at present is a qualified early years teacher who supervises the sessions and there are two other members of staff who support the sessions. They all work directly with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's accident and medication records are suitably maintained and entries include a signature from parents. There are qualified leisure centre staff who have completed a relevant first aid qualification on the premises. However, children’s health is seriously compromised because play scheme staff, who work directly with the children, do not hold the same qualification. Staff working within this area are therefore reliant upon leisure centre staff, who work in different areas around the building. This means children will not receive immediate attention from a qualified first aider. There is an appropriate sickness policy. Children are cared for in a clean environment. There are suitable hygiene routines, which include washing hands before snack time. In addition, staff wipe down communal tables in the public café area before children sit down to eat. This ensures children are protected from infection. Close supervision at meal times ensures that

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Helping children to be healthy

children do not share food. However, children gain a poor understanding of the value of good nutrition because they purchase unsuitable snacks, like sweets, chocolate and crisps, from the public café. Children’s own drinks, like juice, are available within their lunch boxes. Nevertheless, drinking water is not readily available after physical exercise, for example after vigorous play on the bouncy castle. As a result children can become dehydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children have plenty of space to play in the large sports hall. In addition, they also have use of a public play ground, although this is reliant on additional staff to supervise children to ensure they are safe to play. This means children do not have enough opportunities for fresh air. Children can play with a range of clean and age appropriate resources, which they can access easily. Nevertheless the range of quieter play toys and resources, such as books, puzzles and board games, is very poor. This means children have limited opportunities to rest after snacks and lunch, or more vigorous play like bat and ball games, or just when they become tired. Children's safety is compromised greatly as the doors to the sports hall used by children are not secure and are not effectively monitored by staff. This means children can access public areas, like the toilets, without staff’s awareness, which

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

poses a serious risk to their wellbeing. Risk assessments are completed by the management of the leisure centre, although they have not clearly identified all

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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 hazards, such as uncovered electrical sockets, compromising children's safety. There are procedures for the emergency evacuation of the premises, which are displayed. However these are not practised and therefore children and staff are not fully aware of what to do if they need to evacuate the building in the event of a fire. Staff can protect children from possible abuse as they have a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. They are aware of the procedures to follow if there are concerns about a child. In addition, staff are fully aware of their responsibilities and an appropriate child protection policy and procedure is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time and settle happily in the play scheme. They choose from mainly physical play activities, like a bouncy castle, soft foam shapes and some craft materials. The lack of quieter play toys and resources means that children have limited opportunities for more restful play. However staff do plan quieter circle time activities, like Chinese whispers, after lunch, which means children do have calmer periods of play during the day. Children are valued and listened to and staff interact well with them during activities. Children are forming close relationships with others and confidently interact with staff and peers, as well as unfamiliar adults. Staff involve themselves in the activities and this helps children's participation, for example, playing ball games, supporting craft activities appropriately and monitoring the bouncy castle. Planned activities, like a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

visiting magician, are enjoyed by most children. Staff are attentive and understanding of children who become disinterested, ensuring that other children continue to enjoy the planned activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel part of the group as staff treat them fairly and with respect, greeting them warmly. This ensures all children feel welcome. Children do not have opportunities to play with toys and games, which have positive representation of cultural diversity. However, their individual needs are known and respected, for example details of children's specific dietary and medical needs are clearly recorded. In discussion staff have a sound knowledge and understanding of children with special needs. Children's behaviour across the differing age range is good. Staff use effective strategies to distract children from unacceptable behaviour and praise and encourage acceptable behaviour. Therefore children's self esteem is promoted well. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes and their individual needs are well communicated to the staff to support their care. Information about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

planned activities is displayed attractively in the reception area and overall there are

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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 relevant policies and procedures in place, although parents do not have regular access to all the policies as some of them are not on display and management keep the others in the main office.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The setting does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care. There are sufficient members of staff caring for the children. However the registered person has not informed Ofsted of recent staff changes. This means children's safety and well being are seriously compromised because adequate checks, which safeguard and protect children, have not been completed by Ofsted for the person in charge. Checks on other staff members are also incomplete and conditions of registration are not always adhered to with regard to children's ages. The present supervisor has a teaching qualification in early years, although no staff working directly with children hold relevant first aid qualifications. Children's records are in place and documents are stored securely. There is a secure system for signing children in and out, which works well in practice, nevertheless the

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Organisation

system to monitor children's movements is inadequate. The procedure for inducting new staff is poor. This means that although staff are clear about child protection and special educational needs, they are less clear about health and safety and do not complete a full risk assessment of the areas used by children. In addition, staff do not have access to sufficient information, like the National Standards for out of school care, to support and inform their practice. This impacts on children's safety, care and well being.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection actions were set relating to the suitably of staff, reporting complaints, development of policies and procedures, and increasing toys and resources. Limited progress has been made on previous actions. Ofsted has not been informed of new supervisors, therefore relevant checks have not been completed. There is a system in place to report complaints and a folder of polices and procedures is now available for parents, although this is not easily accessible. In addition not all policies and procedures work in practice, for example the security of the building and risk assessments. Parents are aware that lunch boxes are stored in the sports hall. The fire drill is still not regularly practised and there is still a limited range of toys and resources, particularly, toys and resources that reflect social diversity and quieter play activities like books, puzzles and board games.

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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 There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters including change of supervisor • ensure that at all times there is at least one member of staff working directly with the children who has a current first aid qualification • ensure that all records relating to the play scheme are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times, including staff details • ensure that conditions of registration are adhered to including children's ages • ensure that the area used by children is secure and does not allow children to leave the area unsupervised • ensure all staff working with children undergo suitable checks and are not left unsupervised with children until these are completed. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed

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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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