Holywell Out of School Club

Holywell Out of School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY318306 Unique Reference Number 26 March 2007 Inspection date Mark Evans Inspector

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Holywell County Primary School, Berkeley Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3SJ

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Setting Address

01509 618239 Telephone number veronica'savill@loucoll.ac.uk E-mail Loughborough College of Further Education Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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Setting Address

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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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?

Holywell Out of School Club was first registered in 2006 and is one of several child care settings run by Loughborough College of Further Education. It operates from a mobile classroom in the grounds of Holywell County Primary School in Loughborough. Children have access to toilet facilities in the main school building.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of 24 children from four years to under eight years may attend the out of school club at any one time. There are currently 47 children on roll. The setting is open each weekday from 15:15 to 18:00 during school term time only. All children have access to the outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are four members of staff working at the club, of whom two have a Level 3 qualification and one has a Level 2. Relief staff are available for emergency cover. The setting receives support from a local authority Early Years Advisor.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children keep healthy because they are cared for in a clean environment. They use appropriate hygiene practices in their daily routines, for example, washing their hands before eating and after toileting. This helps them to reduce the potential for cross-infection and to keep healthy. The setting records and monitors any accidents and the administration of medicines. However, parents are not always requested to sign records of accidents and the medication policy is not fully detailed. As a consequence, this potentially compromises children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a range of healthy foods when at the setting. This includes such items as salad foods, fruit, sandwiches and toast. Children have awareness of healthy eating and what foods are nutritious to eat. Their health is maintained because the setting has suitable knowledge of their dietary requirements and provides accordingly for this. Children can use a water dispenser whenever they want and also have various drinks available at snack time. This ensures that they are well hydrated and comfortable.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children continue to develop coordination and control of their bodies through outdoor games and activities. They use various types of outdoor apparatus, including balancing equipment, balls and hoops. Children enjoy the freedom to choose outdoor play and benefit from the fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are warm and welcoming to children and parents. This is enhanced through some displays of children's art work and an information area for parents. Children have comfortable and safe accommodation for their care and play. The room has suitable furniture that allows children to relax or be active and is in a satisfactory state of décor. Staff keep children safe through monitoring visitors to the setting, by effective supervision of the children and through assessment of the premises to reduce risk. However, the risk assessment does not include security of the outdoor area and this aspect potentially compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to resources and play equipment that is maintained in suitable condition to keep them safe. They learn about safety and take some responsibility for safe practice, for example, by discussing and establishing ground rules for the setting and taking part in emergency evacuation practises. Children's welfare is safeguarded because staff have sound knowledge of child protection issues and procedures, and there are written details available for lost or uncollected children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are greeted on arrival by staff, who chat with them and encourage involvement in setting out some of the activities. Children are relaxed and comfortable in the setting and show high levels of involvement in the available activities and games. The setting discusses the types of activities and interests that children have and use this information to help plan for their activity programme. Children enjoy talking about significant matters and events to others within groups. In these situations they show confidence and good social skills, being able to

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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 cooperate and listen. Staff involve themselves in some of the children's activities to offer support and interact with them. Children have sound relationships with adults at the setting and this helps their sense of security and well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use opportunities to express their creativity, for example, by decorating eggs for Easter and through modelling with clay. They explore their environment and they independently select activities to engage with. However, the range of some play resources are limited, for example, for role play, small world play and puzzles. As a consequence, children's opportunities to choose and extend interest and play are restricted. There are some opportunities where children can investigate and develop new skills, for example, they enjoy using a range of battery powered electrical components and materials to experiment with and learn about processes, such as lighting a torch bulb.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are made welcome at the setting; they are treated as individuals and the staff take account of their interests. They are involved in some activities that reflect their own cultural background and also help them to develop awareness of the wider community. For example, by celebrating aspects of Diwali and Easter and sharing sign language skills, such as Makaton. However, there are few play resources and books that reflect positive images of diversity and this limits children's familiarity and contact with such materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond to adults. They talk with staff about acceptable behaviour and agreed rules for the setting. This helps them to take responsibility for suitable behaviour whilst at the club. Staff support children through praise for effort and achievement, for example, by being positive with children when engaged in a creative activity. This boosts their self-esteem and confidence. They work well together when engaging in joint activities and older children are encouraged to show care and support for younger children, for example, by reading to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff talk to parents about their children each day; children benefit from the positive relationships between staff and parents, which helps with continuity in care. Parents receive information from the setting and have suitable access to written policies. This enables them to make informed decisions about their care of their child.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children's group room is organised to allow for different types of play and has a cordoned area where they can read and relax. They are able to access play equipment and make some choices of what to use. Staff deployment provides suitable adult to child ratios and gives children some individual attention, for example, playing board games such as chess. Training opportunities are offered to staff to develop their knowledge, for example, first aid and basic food safety and hygiene. There are sound numbers of qualified staff, which helps to provide children with appropriate levels of care. Secure vetting procedures are in place to check suitability of staff and keep children safe.

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Organisation

Most aspects of policy and documentation are in place and readily available to staff and parents. This supports the organisation of the setting and promotes children's welfare. For example, there is an induction system in place for new staff, available records for children's attendance

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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 and written procedures for safeguarding children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the setting was required to make sure that a risk assessment on the premises is completed; that there is a statement of the procedures to be followed in the event of a fire and that this is practised periodically; that the child protection procedure complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board and that all documentation for the efficient and safe management of the provision are maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The setting has completed a risk assessment of the premises; has displayed evacuation procedures and undertaken practises with the children; has a written policy for child protection, which includes relevant procedures and has made improvement with regard to required records and policies. All of these aspects help to maintain and promote children's welfare and safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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): • ensure that records for any accidents are signed by the parent • ensure that the policy for the administration of medication is clear and fully detailed • review risk assessment of the premises to include the security of the outdoor play area, with an action plan and timescales that identify action taken to minimise any risks • review the range of play resources to ensure that they are sufficient and suitable to the ages and interests of the children attending • develop the range of resources and activities that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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