Forest Town Infant School

Camp Beaumont Day Camp

Inspection report for early years provision

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Camp Beaumont Day Camp

Unique Reference Number 122451 Inspection date 22 August 2006 Inspector June Fielden

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Camp Beaumont Day Camp

Setting Address Claremont Drive, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9LY

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E-mail

Registered person Camp Beaumont Day Camps 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?

Camp Beaumont Day Camp is one of several Playschemes run by Camp Beaumont Day Camps Ltd. It opened in 1995 and operates from within the vast landscaped grounds of Claremont Fan Court School in Esher, Surrey. A maximum of 300 children may attend the day camp at any one time, and 48 children may attend the nursery they run on the same site. They are both open each weekday from 08.30 to 17.30 during school holidays. All children share access to outdoor play areas. There are currently 132 children from five to under eight years on roll for the playscheme, and they also have the facilities and activities to accommodate older

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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 children. The nursery currently has 37 children from three to under five years on roll. Children come from the local area. The playscheme and nursery support a number of children with learning difficulties and disabilities. They also support children who speak English as an additional language. The playscheme and nursery employ 19 members of staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a friendly, welcoming environment. Several members of staff have appropriate first aid qualifications, and first aid boxes are available at a number of locations around the extensive site used by the day camp. This ensures that staff can deal efficiently with any accidents, to safeguard children's welfare. Effective hygiene routines are followed to maintain children's good health. For example, if a beaker is dropped on the floor in the nursery, it is removed immediately by staff, to avoid the spread of infection. Children wash their hands before they eat and after messy activities. They use liquid soap and paper towels, to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. Nursery children are provided with a healthy snack of fruit or raisins. Older children can help themselves to a drink of water between activities. The younger children can ask for a drink at any time, to ensure they are not thirsty. Many children bring their

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Helping children to be healthy

own lunch, and staff supervising them during this meal check to see that they have suitable food to meet their nutritional requirements. Parents are reminded not to include food that contains nuts in children's lunch boxes, and all staff are made aware of children's allergies. Parents are advised to place an ice pack in with food that needs to be kept cool, so that it will remain fresh in hot weather. They also have the opportunity to purchase a lunch that is prepared on site for their child, which includes healthy choices, such as salads, pasta, meat and vegetables. Children have ample opportunities to exercise during camp sessions, using a wide range of equipment and facilities around the site. Nursery children use apparatus appropriate to their age and stage of development in the enclosed outdoor play areas, next to the building they are based in. They can run around and strengthen their muscles using the small vehicles, tunnels and climbing apparatus available to

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Helping children to be healthy

them. While older children have access to a large trampoline, bouncy castle and a wide selection of games equipment to keep them fit. If children are tired and need to rest there are quiet rooms available for them to use, where they will be supervised by a member of staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children attending the day camp have access to the extensive grounds on the school

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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 site they use, as well as two swimming pools, halls, classrooms and fully equipped outdoor play areas. They have ample space to engage in a broad range of activities, moving from one area to another under supervision. Staff produce colourful wall board displays, making the surroundings cheerful, and showing samples of work children have completed during day camp sessions. The outdoor equipment is strong, of good quality, and suitably challenging for all age groups. There are varied activities provided for children in their base area if the weather is unsuitable for them to play outside. Children are unable to leave the day camp unsupervised, as they are well organised by their group leaders, who make regular head counts, to ensure all members of their group are present. Access to the nursery building is gained through the front

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

entrance, where the appropriate code needs to be entered into the key pad to open the door. Risk assessments are completed at the commencement of day camp sessions, and are updated during the summer to ensure children's safety. A fire drill is held every Monday, and staff explain to children the procedure to follow in the event of a fire. Some activities offered to children are not held on site. Although the day camp has obtained permission to take children off site, they do not have written permission to transport them in a vehicle, which impacts on their safety. Children are protected from harm because training in child protection is provided for all staff at the start of the summer, before the camp opens. All staff are aware of the signs of abuse and any worries are recorded. If abuse is suspected, parents are approached by staff, and the situation is monitored, until they feel there is no longer

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

cause for concern. When necessary, their suspicions will be reported to the appropriate authority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children participate in a wide range of planned activities, which allow them some freedom of choice. They are divided into groups according to their age, and remain with the same members of staff whenever they attend the day camp, in order to promote continuity of care. Staff speak in a warm and jolly manner to children, and as a result they are happy to approach them and ask for whatever they require. They make children feel at home by enjoying a joke with them. For example, while cleaning up some glittery shapes that a child had spilt in the nursery, a member of staff asked one girl if she thought she would turn into a glitter fairy. The camp has a different topic each week, such as Superheroes, providing a focus for some of their activities. Children in the nursery are encouraged to use their imagination, making Superhero masks with coloured pens and collage materials. While the older children follow the theme by being creative during Superhero

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

costume making sessions. Stimulating activities such as swimming are enjoyed by all children. A member of staff remains in the pool with children and organises games which all participate well in. Older children also engage in more boisterous games, like football, cricket and basketball to burn off their energy. Children are given the opportunity to socialise, make new friends, and mix with others of a similar age in a

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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 safe and caring environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated equally well by staff and are encouraged to participate in every activity. The day camp organises weeks when they look at different countries around the world, raising children's awareness of diversity. They are given a chance to dress in their national costume if they come from a different culture, and share songs in other languages. Children with learning difficulties and disabilities are welcomed by staff and are treated in the same manner as other members of the day camp. When necessary, activities will be adapted to meet these children's needs. Parents are kept well informed of what their children have been doing each day. They are given a small timetable each afternoon, listing the activities their child has participated in. Children can take home some of their work at the end of the day to share with parents, and any certificates they receive for activities they have

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Helping children make a positive contribution

performed well in. Details about the day camp, their policies and procedures can be viewed by parents on the day camp website, or the wallboard in the office on site. Parents are pleased with the level of care provided for children, and feel that they enjoy their experience with the playscheme. Many send their children because the day camp has been recommended to them by other parents. The group leaders are available to speak to parents at the beginning and end of the day, and try to inform them of the positive things children have done. Good behaviour is promoted by praise, and used to reward children for the little things that they do. Children are required to sit out from the group for a while if they misbehave, and are sent to the manager for their third misdemeanour. Staff explain to children why inappropriate behaviour is unacceptable and parents are informed if it continues.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's safety is assured when visitors are present. They are required to sign in and out of the facility and are given a badge to wear. If children see any visitors not wearing a badge they are to report them to the office. Children are given talks on the danger posed by strangers, to promote their awareness of this issue. A satisfactory registration process ensures that children's times of arrival and departure are recorded, and that they are collected by the correct adult. Staff hold appropriate qualifications, and satisfactory recruitment and induction procedures are in place. However, the day camp does not always inform Ofsted as soon as new managers are appointed. As a result, this delays the completion of appropriate vetting procedures to check their suitability for the post, in order to protect children's welfare. Children's records are stored securely by the day camp, and parents can see the

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Organisation

information kept on their own child on request. There is a satisfactory procedure in

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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 place for recording complaints. A written procedure is available to parents, although this has not been regularly updated. As a result, this does not inform them of the full process that will be followed to deal with their concerns. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that a record of all medication is kept and signed by parents. It also recommended that parents are provided with details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint, including information on how to contact Ofsted. The day camp now records all medication administered to children and prior written permission is obtained. There is a written complaints procedure, including details of how to contact Ofsted. However, this has not been updated to take into account revisions to the National Standards from October 2005, and a recommendation to rectify this has been made.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted has received one complaint since the last inspection, relating to National Standard 1: Suitable Person. The complaint related to un-vetted staff working with children. We carried out an investigation on 19 August 2005. We found no evidence that the provider was not complying with the National Standards. No further action was taken, and the provider remains qualified for registration. The complaint was recorded in the complaints record. 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 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): • obtain written permission from parents to take children in a vehicle • ensure Ofsted are informed of all significant changes

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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 the complaints procedure is updated to take into account the revisions to the National Standards of 3 October 2005.

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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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