BrownLow Childcare Club

BrownLow Childcare

Inspection report for early years provision

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BrownLow Childcare

Unique Reference Number EY260012 Inspection date 02 August 2005 Inspector Patricia King

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BrownLow Childcare

Setting Address Limes Avenue, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1QL

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E-mail

Registered person Kaleidoscope In Action 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?

BrownLow Child Care is one of a number of Out of School Care provisions run by Kaleidoscope in Action in the East Midlands. It opened in 2003 and operates from a mobile classroom set in the grounds of the primary school in Limes Avenue, Melton Mowbray. It has use of the main school hall, dining hall and enclosed grassed and hard court areas for outside play and sports activities. It serves the local community and children attending the school. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group opens 5 days a week during

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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 school term-times. Sessions are from 15:15 until 17:30. A holiday playscheme is provided during the summer. There are 3 staff who work with the children. The manager has a recognised teaching qualification and 2 staff are currently working towards appropriate qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a well balanced range of activities which contribute to their overall health. Girls and boys choose outdoor activities, such as cricket, football, skipping, parachute and games which give them varied opportunities to take exercise and use energy. They have daily outdoor sessions, weather permitting, with opportunities for creative and quiet activities provided alongside the physical play. Most children understand the importance of personal hygiene, hand washing and the use of sun protection routines. Their good health is promoted by staff who remind them of how to take personal care of themselves. Children are nourished during the day because the information to parents gives clear guidance about the packed food which is provided by the parents. The information includes advice about fresh fruit and healthy snacks that can be stored safely and eaten during the daily routines. Children's

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Helping children to be healthy

health and dietary requirements are maintained because staff work well with parents to establish their individual needs. Staff have clear understanding of the records and procedures in place to support the health and welfare of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move around freely and confidently in the familiar environment of their school which is kept secure by electronic surveillance and staff vigilance. Children are aware of and maintain rules they have agreed to promote their safety. For example, they understand and regularly practise the fire evacuation procedures which are displayed on notice board. They show understanding of self-discipline and control in sporting and physical activities which allows children of differing ages and levels of ability to join in safely. They are learning to keep themselves safe, for example, when playing the parachute game they listened attentively to staff and took care to avoid collisions when running beneath the canopy. Staff carefully consider the safety of the children and a daily risk assessment ensures that the environment and equipment is suitable and safe for them to use. Children's welfare is safeguarded by

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the staff's understanding and knowledge of local Area Child Protection Committee Procedures.

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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 Children confidently choose from a range of well planned and imaginatively resourced activities provided for their care and entertainment. For example, boys and girls equally take part in outdoor physical activities and games such as cricket, football, parachute and skipping. They can also select from quieter creative activities such as craft, modelling, computer games and free play. They are able to extend their creative work over a number of sessions as not all children attend every day. For example, some children chose to decorate masks that they made on a previous visit. The children have real opportunities to be spontaneous using new and different ideas with materials and resources. For example, they devised an imaginative game of sharks and fishes using the parachute. The children took turns to act out the roles

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of sharks and fishes in the pretend parachute sea showing regard for their safety and involvement. They interact positively as a group building upon friendships established at the school and showing careful consideration for the differing needs and abilities of individual children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have confidence to take responsibility and play a productive part in the setting. For example, they have worked together with the adults to produce a set of ground rules that supports the acceptable behaviour and expectations established at their school. The children possess positive self-esteem. They show respect and regard for each other and their differing levels of understanding and ability. For example, children organised the parachute game well to include different ages and abilities safely. They understand and acknowledge that they have different interests and preferences for sporting activities and occasional disagreements are managed positively by adults to promote harmony. Children's individual needs are well met by good communication with parents. Individual requirements, such as diet, significant events or cultural practices are identified and respected. Children's daily attendance

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is discussed with parents at the end of each session and a newsletter is sent out twice each term. Staff are able to describe positive ways to work in partnership with parents and others to promote the welfare and development of children with special needs. However, a written statement on special needs, that is consistent with current legislation and guidance, is not available to parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children's welfare is promoted at the setting because staff have knowledge and experience of childcare and play and have enthusiasm for their work with children. However the systems to ensure that adults providing day care, looking after children or having access to them are suitable to do so are not implemented effectively. This means that children are not fully protected as they are left alone with adults who have not been vetted by Ofsted. Most records and policies to support the safe and efficient management of the setting are in place. However, the daily record of attendance is not kept up to date and the certificate for public liability insurance cover is not available for inspection. Overall the provision does not meet the needs of the range

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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 of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare and safety is more positively promoted and parents have clearer communication and understanding because, since the last inspection, the setting has improved some documentation and safety matters. Children's safety is promoted because there is at least one member of staff with a current first aid training certificate on the premises at any one time. The statement on special needs is described to be consistent with current legislation but is not available for inspection or accessible to the parents. Children and staff have devised a set of ground rules and expectations to promote acceptable behaviour that are displayed upon the notice board to guide children and inform parents. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the staff's clear understanding of child protection issues in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. The record of attendance has not improved sufficiently to be accurate and up to date.

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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: • Ensure that there are effective procedures in place for checking that staff are suitable to work with children. • Ensure that the daily record includes the names of the children being looked after, their hours of attendance and the names of persons looking after them and that this record is accurate and up to date to include times of arrival and departure. • Notify Ofsted of any significant changes and events, with specific regard to staff and management of the provision.

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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 • Ensure there is a named deputy who is able to take charge in the absence of the manager. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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