Panda's Kids Club

Panda's

Inspection report for early years provision

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Panda's

Unique Reference Number EY321158 Inspection date 11 September 2006 Inspector Susan Hoult

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Panda's

Setting Address South Hykeham School, Wath Lane, Lincoln, South Hykeham, Lincolnshire, LN6 9PG Telephone number 01522 681919

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E-mail

Registered person Pandas Kids Club 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Panda's is an out of school club that has been registered since 2006. It is run by a formal partnership who run another out of school club in Bracebridge Heath, Lincolnshire. Panda's operates from the hall in South Hykeham Primary School, South Hykeham, Lincolnshire. The school playground and playing field are used for outdoor play. The club is open all year round. In school term time sessions are from 07:30 until 08:50 and 15:15 until 18:00. In the school holidays sessions run from 07:30 until 18:00. After school the club offers care to children attending the school, whilst in the

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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 holidays it serves the local area and beyond. The club is registered to care for 32 children aged from four to under eight years at any one time, children aged up to 11 years also attend. There are currently 38 children on roll including 23 aged eight and over. There are two staff working with the children regularly. The manager has an appropriate qualification. The club receives support from the Lincolnshire Early Years and Childcare Development Partnership. It is affiliated to Children's Links.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted well by staff who effectively follow the provision's health, hygiene and sick children policies and procedures. There is always at least one member of staff present who holds a current first aid certificate so that any accidents are dealt with effectively. Children have a good understanding about the importance of following hygiene routines and washing their hands after using the toilet and before baking activities and eating. Children are able to rest in the quiet area with blankets being available should a child wish to ‘snuggle down’. Staff meet children's dietary and health needs effectively by sharing information with parents and recording any allergies a child may have. Children gain a good understanding of healthy eating through activities and discussion promoted by staff and the club’s healthy eating policy. Children attending before school are provided

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Helping children to be healthy

with a nutritious breakfast. A variety of snacks are provided after school and in the holidays. Parents provide lunch boxes for those children who attend during the holidays and are encouraged to use ice packs to maintain food at an appropriate temperature. Water is available to children at all times to ensure they do not become thirsty. Staff encourage the use of this particularly in warm weather and after vigorous exercise. Children have a positive attitude to exercise, enjoying both structured and free physical play in the school grounds whenever the weather is suitable. Children have fun whilst developing their large muscle skills and hand eye co-ordination which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. For example, children use scooters, balancing beams, monkey bars, play badminton and happily take part in a variety of chase and ball games including football. In inclement weather, large physical play is organised

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Helping children to be healthy

in the hall. Outings to local soft play areas are arranged in holiday periods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a suitable and generally secure premises. The staff check the premises prior to each session to ensure safety measures are in place to minimise risks to children. However, risk assessments are not comprehensive. For

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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 instance, although the two staff work hard to supervise the children who are able to move freely between the inside and outside areas little account has been taken of parents arriving to collect children and using gates that lead off the premises from the outside play area. This may compromise children’s safety. Children learn to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe through the staff giving clear explanations of why certain activities or actions may be dangerous. Children confidently describe how they take part in regular fire drills and know the importance of evacuating the building quickly. Clear procedures are in place so that the club and school staff know which children attend the club to ensure their safety. Staff accompany young children to and from their classrooms. Older children meet in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the hall. Children use an increasing range of clean, stimulating and developmentally appropriate toys and equipment. These are organised so that children are encouraged to make choices and have independent access. Children are generally well protected as the manger has a good awareness of child protection procedures and knows how to put these into place should they have concerns about the welfare of a child. However, new staff do not always fully understand child protection policies and procedures as this is not part of their first week’s induction programme. Clear records indicate who may collect each child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy meeting with friends in a relaxed, welcoming environment where they can play together. They are happy, enthusiastic and self-assured. They benefit from being able to decide whether they wish to be active or relax and to organise their own time. They are able to do homework in a quiet area if they wish. During the holidays children enjoy outings to a variety of places including the local park and a nature park. They have fun in the nature park's educational centre learning about, and joining in activities relating to, recycling. Staff plan activities to capture children's interest and enable them to develop their skills and learning. They have a flexible approach so that if children decide not to do an activity one day they have the opportunity to do it another time. Children contribute to planning by discussing with staff what they would like to do and requesting extra resources from the store cupboard, when they wish, to extend their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play. Children are interested in what activities are on offer and supported by staff as needed are fully occupied throughout sessions. Several children enjoy using collage materials on a table outside, chatting happily together. A young child is helped by a member of staff to frame a picture with ribbon and is very pleased with the result. Another child concentrates well to produce a picture using coloured rice and pasta, milk bottle tops and curtain material they shape using scissors. A child is proud of the ball and cup toy they make and happily shows others how it works. A group of children play together with electronic toys understanding that these are available on a time-limited basis to ensure everyone can have a turn and so that they enjoy a variety of activities. Imaginative play is encouraged by staff and a child becomes enthralled playing with dragons and a volcano.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children and staff relate well to each other, sharing a mutual respect. Staff value children's contributions. They enable them to make choices and voice their opinions which helps develop their self-esteem, confidence and sense of belonging. Staff have a positive attitude to caring for children with special needs. Children arrive happily at the club and quickly involve themselves in play. Children have access to some resources that reflect members of our diverse society and staff plan to introduce the celebration of different cultural and religious festivals with the children to increase their knowledge and understanding. Behaviour is good. Children of all ages work and play co-operatively together with older children helping the younger children as needed. Staff use explanation, praise and encouragement well, are consistent in their positive approach to behaviour management, and create a calm but positive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

atmosphere where children gain an understanding of right and wrong. Children benefit from the good relationships staff have with parents. Parents are invited to visit with their children when they first start to help them settle. Information about the children is exchanged regularly enabling staff to meet children's developing or changing needs and ensure they are fully involved in the life of the club. Parents are very positive about the care given to their children and the variety of activities available. The club's policies and procedures which are available to parents are being reviewed to ensure they reflect recent revisions to the National Standards.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The staff are good role models and are committed to improving standards of care for children through training and self development. Regular staff meetings and six monthly appraisals are held to monitor and review the care the club offers, plan activities and identify training needs. The staff work well together creating a happy atmosphere where children can relax before and after school and during the holidays. They move freely and safely around the hall because activities are set out so that clear walkways are maintained. Children feel secure and develop a strong sense of their own self-worth through the warm, friendly relationships they develop with the staff. A child warmly describes the staff as being ‘kind’. All the necessary documents and records are in place to provide a sound framework for the care of children. However, although the visitors book is accurately kept and

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Organisation

the staff are clear which children are present the daily attendance record does not clearly show this at all times. The club are developing close links with school which helps children settle and move happily between the two provisions. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements 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 Not applicable.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 satisfactory. 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): • develop risk assessments to ensure security measures and supervision of children are fully effective at all times • ensure all staff fully understand child protection policies and procedures • ensure that the daily record of attendance shows clearly which staff and children are present.

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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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