Children of the FutureOfsted inspection, 19 Oct 2006

Children of the Future

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Children of the Future

EY292426 Unique Reference Number 19 October 2006 Inspection date Denys Rasmussen Inspector

p.1

Children of the Future

James Dixon Primary School, William Booth Road, London, SE20 8BW Setting Address

p.1

E-mail

Nickola Thomas Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children of the Future has been registered since 2004. It operates from the dining hall and one classroom of James Dixon Primary school. This is in Anerley, Bromley. Children have access to a secure playground for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children attend from local primary schools. A maximum of 24 children may attend the setting at any one time. Currently there are 30 children on roll aged from four to 11 years. The setting supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting is open from 07:45 until 08:30 for breakfast club and 15:00 until 18:00 during term-time. It opens from 08:00 until 18:00 during the school holidays.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are five staff employed by the setting, of whom, four hold a relevant qualification and one is on a training programme.

p.2

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 inspection took place in the after school provision.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to develop good hygiene habits such as washing their hands before meals. The use of liquid soap and paper towels helps to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. The premises is satisfactorily clean and kitchen equipment is thoroughly cleaned on a daily basis. A heat probe is used to ensure food has been cooked to the appropriate temperature, this helps to prevent food poisoning.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

There is always a member of staff present who is qualified in first aid which means accidents are dealt with appropriately. The sick child policy states that children must not attend if they are ill which helps to prevent the spread of infection. A list of exclusion periods for infectious illnesses are displayed for parents' information.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a snack tea which includes fruit and vegetables daily. For example, they are offered peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, banana and orange. If meat is being offered there is a vegetarian option. Staff discuss the food with the children reinforcing what is healthy to eat. This encourages children to make healthy choices. Children's allergies are recorded and heeded ensuring their health needs are met.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises is clean and well lit with natural light. It is comfortably warm and in a suitable state of repair. Children's artwork and a parent notice board is displayed. This helps it to be welcoming and friendly to children and parents. Children use a wide range of safe, developmentally appropriate resources. Electrical appliances are checked for safety, minimising accidental injury. Children are involved in activities to make them think about their own safety. For example, they complete a poster about firework safety rules.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Positive steps have been taken to promote security. For example, exit doors are kept locked, visitors are signed in and only authorised adults are able to collect the children. Daily risk assessments are completed both indoors and outdoors. However, the adult to child ratios are not always complied with, this compromises children's safety. Fire prevention is good and regular fire drills help children become familiar with the procedures, so they learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected. Child protection procedures are up-to-date and staff understand their responsibilities in relation to concerns about children's welfare. This is supported by staff completing child protection training.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Activities offered are stimulating and include some specialised activities with outside agencies, for example, football and hockey skills. They are encouraged to be independent and confidently move around the premises using the available resources and asking for resources that they need. They enjoy this time at the end of the school day, relaxing with their friends or being physically active which promotes their all round development.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children readily approach staff for support indicating that good trusting relationships are built. Children are proud of their creations and staff value their achievements. For example, a child invents a washing up machine with a construction kit, the staff ask the children to come and look at it and encourage the child to explain his invention to them. They applaud him and the invention is put on display.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities are planned around topics. For example, a display is made about famous black people throughout history during 'black history month'. The staff interact with the children in a calm and supportive manner guiding them in their play. This means the children play happily and get on well with each other. They were often heard laughing and talking about their ideas.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a planned programme of activities for children attending the holiday club which parents are given advance notice of. Children attending the holiday club are given good opportunities to attend a variety of outings. For example, they visited a farm, they went to the cinema, they visited a museum and went to the theatre.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a positive attitude to each other. They show a sense of belonging as they talk freely about their family, friends and school. The ethos of the setting ensures children are given respect and understanding and their differences are celebrated. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are supported satisfactorily. Their point of view or opinion is sought when plans are drawn up on their behalf ensuring their needs are met.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership staff have developed with parents. This ensures children settle well and their individual needs are met. They experience appropriate care due to effective communication between parents and staff. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child's learning through newsletters and by contributing resources. For example, they provide glass jars to make Halloween candle holders. Most of the settings required policies and procedures are available to the parents in a written format.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children build good relationships with staff and are happy and secure in their environment. Children are well behaved. They know what is expected of them because they discuss and help to decide the club behaviour rules. The staff guide the children in a calm and supportive manner which helps the children work together harmoniously.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space, staff and resources are organised to create an accessible environment where children are busy and occupied throughout the session. Children attend the breakfast club before school and the holiday club during the school holidays. All services are run by the same staff to ensure consistency. The same policies and procedures are in place for the whole out of school service. The children are offered an appropriate balance between indoor and outdoor activities. Most staff are suitably qualified and all are appropriately vetted, due to effective recruitment procedures. Staff have a good rapport with the children which helps them to understand their needs. This helps children feel comfortable and secure. However, on occasion not enough attention is given to maintaining the ratio within the room. This means that for brief periods the opportunity for children to benefit from individual attention is minimised.

p.5

Organisation

Most required written policies and procedures are in place and are shared with parents. The exception to this is 'the lost child and uncollected child' procedure. Nevertheless, the provider has a good understanding of the procedures to follow; this contributes to children's health, safety and welfare. A register of attendance is maintained, although entries do not specifically include detailed times. Practice is satisfactory as staff are kept-up-to date through meetings, training and appraisals. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The setting was found inadequate at the last inspection. Since the last inspection they have made satisfactory improvements. The provider was required to ensure that at least one staff, qualified in first aid, is present at all times; to develop staff's understanding of behaviour management strategies; to improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the National Standards and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of significant events.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Three staff have first aid certificates, one has expired but is being updated. This is an improvement from the last inspection. The provider stated that she ensures there is always at least one staff member present at the setting or on outings that has a first aid qualification. This ensures that accidents are dealt with appropriately. Staff now have a better understanding of effective ways to manage children's behaviour, taking into account their age and stage of development. They have attended behaviour management training to up-date their practice. Staff were observed to interact with the children in a supportive and calm manner which helped the children to behave well. Any conflict was dealt with in a sensitive and fair way helping the children to play harmoniously together. The provider demonstrated through discussion and through written documentation knowledge and understanding of the National Standards. She

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

has up-dated her policies and procedures to reflect this. She is now fully aware of what constitutes a significant event and has added this to procedures where relevant. Two procedures are not yet in written form, although staff and the provider are well aware of the procedures

p.5

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 to follow. To ensure that this is addressed, a recommendation will be raised as a result of this inspection.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to Ofsted to report.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • improve the registration system by recording children's specific arrival and departure times. • ensure all required procedures are written and shared with parents. • ensure adult to child ratios are adhered to at all times.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

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

p.6

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

p.6