Waverley Academy

Paddington Play Station Creche

Inspection report for early years provision

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Paddington Play Station Creche

Unique Reference Number 145933 Inspection date 11 July 2005 Inspector Doreen Forsyth

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Paddington Play Station Creche

Setting Address Old ASU Building (SR 001), Station Road, TIDWORTH, Wiltshire, SP9 7NR Telephone number 01980 602058

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E-mail

Registered person Army Welfare Service Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Sessional 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?

Paddington Play Station opened in 1996. It is a sessional group organised by the Army Welfare Service. The setting has sole use of a single storey building near shops and houses in Tidworth, a garrison town in Wiltshire. A maximum of 24 children may attend the group at any one time. The setting is open each weekday during school term times, from 09:15 to 11:45, and may open from 12:15 to 14:45 some afternoons. There is an enclosed area for outside play. There are currently 40 children aged from 12 months to under 5 years on roll. The setting does not receive funding for nursery education. Children attend mainly from

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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 the local military area. The setting currently supports children with special needs. Eight members of staff work with the children. Four of these, including the manager, hold early years qualifications at level three. Three members of staff are working towards relevant early years qualifications at level two.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have many opportunities for physical play at the setting. They use the large play room to practise and develop their climbing and balancing skills, and whenever possible they use the garden area where they have opportunities to learn to control wheeled toys and develop their co-ordination. Children enjoy varied and healthy snacks each day. They have a drink at snack time and can ask for drinks at other times. Children begin to learn about healthy lifestyles; for example, staff explain why children should wear hats and use sun cream when outside, and why they wash their hands before eating. Children are kept safe and healthy because staff follow current and appropriate health and hygiene procedures such as good nappy-changing routines. Children have the opportunity to rest if necessary when at the group. There are comfortable corners with cushions and sleep mats which staff make sure children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a stimulating and suitable environment. Their art work is incorporated into attractive wall displays. The premises used are spacious, allowing children to move freely and safely. Children are kept safe and secure, both when playing inside or in the garden, or when out on walks. This is because staff use risk assessments and good policies and procedures to ensure children's safety and well-being, and to prevent accidents. The setting is very well resourced and children have good access to the toys and materials. Resources are well maintained and age appropriate. Children can choose what they play with as most resources are stored within their reach. Children are well protected as staff understand their role in child protection issues and are able to put appropriate procedures in place if necessary.

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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 The very young children that attend the setting are developing well. Staff plan a good range of activities that are based on different themes and topics. The activities offered help children to learn and acquire new skills. All areas of their learning are promoted. Children's progress is recorded and their individual learning needs noted and met where possible. Children enjoy 'messy' play when they can explore different materials and media. They sing, play musical instruments and take part in circle games. Children are encouraged to think and learn new words to express their thoughts and ideas. Staff interact well with the children and question them skilfully. Children enjoy dressing-up and role play, encouraged by the adult's participation. They begin to learn about numbers when they sing number rhymes such as 'Five Little Monkeys'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They listen well to stories and enjoy participating, for example, making animal noises when listening to a farm story.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children appear to enjoy attending the setting and those who find it difficult to part from their carers soon settle and play after affection and reassurance from the staff. The good adult-child ratios ensure children receive appropriate support. Children are beginning to understand responsible behaviour, but the golden rules that are used by staff to explain acceptable behaviour are negatively worded, and do not reinforce children's understanding of behaviour issues at a level that is suitable for the age of the children in the setting. Children use resources, such as books, small world toys and home play equipment that help them learn about different cultures and equal opportunities. Staff ensure all children can fully take part in the activities of the setting, including any children with special needs. Children quickly become happy and settled as the setting works in partnership with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents and carers to ensure children's individual needs are met. Staff spend time each day sharing information with parents. Parents receive regular newsletters and have access to the setting's policies and procedures. There are informative parents' notice boards.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The setting is meeting the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. Some staff at the setting are appropriately qualified, and new members of staff are supported in their training. All have current first aid qualifications. The adults are all suitable to work with children, any unvetted adults in the setting, such as volunteers or new staff, do not have unsupervised contact with the children until the vetting procedures are complete. The setting is organised by the Army Welfare Service, who provide suitable support, including with administration assistance.

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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 Regular staff meetings are held. Staff use these to discuss training and development and to plan activities that are aimed at helping children to progress. All the required documentation that ensures the smooth organisation of the setting and the children's well-being are in place. However, the attendance of staff is not recorded in the daily register.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the setting was asked to ensure that equal opportunities policy conformed with current requirements. There is a suitable policy in place that is understood by staff and shared with parents, and used to ensure all children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection a concern was raised under National Standard 12, about confidentiality. Ofsted wrote to the registered person, who provided a report stating the steps taken to ensure confidentiality on all issues throughout the setting. No further action was taken and the registered person remains qualified for registration.

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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 strategies used to promote suitable behaviour are appropriate to the children's level of maturity and understanding.

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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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