Castle Care Club at Ednall Lane

Castle Care Club at Ednall Lane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Castle Care Club at Ednall Lane

Unique Reference Number EY290037 Inspection date 20 July 2005 Inspector Sally Wride

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Castle Care Club at Ednall Lane

Setting Address Baptist Church Hall, Ednall Lane, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 2JD

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E-mail

Registered person Castle Nursery Ltd - 4620461 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?

Castle Care Club at Ednall Lane opened 2003 and changed ownership in 2004. It operates from four rooms in the Baptist Church Hall in the town of Bromsgrove. The setting serves the local area and has strong links with local schools. There are currently 80 children from 4 to 12 years old on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting has procedures to support children with special needs, and who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week during school term times with sessions from 15.00

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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 to 18.00. There are 11 members of staff work who with the children and of these over half have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. In addition there are 5 members of staff who are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting is one of a local chain of nursery and out of school care provision.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children have a clear understanding of good hygiene practice and the importance of washing their hands at appropriate times. They are provided with good quality hand washing resources and are able to independently access the toilet and washing facilities. The children enjoy indoor physical play activities and are provided with a range of resources to promote, extend and develop their physical control. They enjoy football, goal scoring and dodge ball games and make good use of hula hoops and skipping equipment. The children are provided with healthy snacks such as soup, toast and fresh fruit, which are sufficient in quantity and take account of children's individual likes and dislikes. Fresh drinking water and sugar free squashes are readily available and the children confidently help themselves to these throughout the session. They are keen to help prepare and serve snacks and enjoy the sociable atmosphere around the tea

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Helping children to be healthy

table with the other children and staff. Staff are well informed of children's special dietary requirements and respect parent's wishes regarding food intake.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a safe and child friendly environment that is clean and well maintained. They confidently move around the available space and their independence is promoted as they access the well organised equipment with ease. Different areas within the premises are used well to create spaces for different purposes, such as musical activities, an area for homework and quiet television time. The children have access to a wide range of age appropriate toys and resources that are readily prepared by staff. They are able to make choices about their play and are interested and absorbed in what is available to them and spend time concentrating and playing with their friends. Children are kept safe because staff take positive steps to minimise any identified hazards to children. Risk assessments have been developed and staff are proactive in completing visual checks throughout the session. The children's welfare is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

promoted and safeguarded with nine members of staff holding a valid first aid certificate. All of the staff have a clear understanding of the known indicators of abuse and the procedures to follow in the event of a concern.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and settled in their care environment and make good use of the facilities available to them. They have formed good relationships with the attentive staff and approach them confidently for comfort and cuddles. They are eager to help with daily tasks such as tidying away and helping to prepare meals and snacks and are thanked for their help. The children benefit from staff involvement and interaction in their play and enjoy sitting and socialising around the tea table and during play. They enjoy a wide range of resources and activities such as cooking, board games, construction and playing on the play station. The children's individual care needs are well met and they have the opportunity to relax and complete homework activities if they wish to do so.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well catered for and staff know them well. The children are able to make choices about the activities that they would like to take part in but there is a clear gender divide within these choices. Staff do not actively encourage children of both sexes to participate in all activities, which means that they do not always have the opportunity to access the range of experiences available, such as cooking and physical play. The children benefit from a range of resources that promote positive images of diversity. The setting has good procedures for the inclusion of children with special needs. Staff obtain detailed written information from parents to ensure that appropriate care can be offered. They are aware of the advice and support that can be accessed from external agencies and health professionals and how this can benefit children. The premises are accessible to children with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

special needs. The children behave well and enjoy warm praise and encouragement from the staff. They have formed good relationships with their peers and play harmoniously together. They show care and concern for each other and happily share their toys. The staff work well as a team to ensure that behaviour management strategies are clear and consistent and respond quickly to any incidents that arise. The children have helped to develop a set of club rules that staff reinforce with gentle reminders. Effective partnerships have been formed with parents who are well informed of their child's care and the activities offered. There are good procedures in place to relay any messages that the staff have been given at school.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are well supported and benefit from the care of enthusiastic staff who are actively involved in their play. The environment and resources are effectively organised to create areas where children can enjoy physical play, complete

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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 homework activities and enjoy free play. The children are able to move easily between well spread out activities and have good access to their playthings. Staff are well managed and there are good systems in place to provide clear direction, support and leadership. For example, regular staff meetings take place and staff appraisals and induction procedures are effective. Staff training is given high priority and they have the opportunity to regularly attend local short courses to ensure that they are up to date with fresh ideas and information. All of the required documentation is in place and well maintained, with the exception of written parental permission to administer life saving medication. The parents have access to the operational plan which includes information about the setting and the

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Organisation

services offered by the club. The setting has the required range of policies and procedures which are shared with parents and effectively implemented into practice by well informed staff. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • consider ways to develop activities in which both boys and girls are encouraged to participate • obtain parents prior written permission to administer life saving medication in an emergency.

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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 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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