Colets Health & Fitness

Colets Health & Fitness

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Colets Health & Fitness

EY335074 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2006 Inspection date Christine Stimson Inspector

p.1

Colets Health & Fitness

Colets Health & Fitness, Speer Road, THAMES DITTON, Surrey, KT7 0PW

p.1

Setting Address

0208 398 7108 Telephone number dawn@coletshealthclub.co.uk E-mail Colets Health & Fitness Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, Out of School care, Crèche Type of care

p.1

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

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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Colets Health & Fitness is a day nursery, crèche and holiday play scheme run by Colets Health and Fitness Club, situated in their own grounds which are located in Thames Ditton, Surrey. It opened in July 2006 and operates from a purpose built building. All children share access to an outdoor play area where they are supervised by staff. The premises are protected by closed circuit TV monitored inside the building.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 50 children on roll. No three and four year olds receive funding for nursery education at this time, but this will change in January 2007.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nursery is open each week day from 07:30 to 18:30 for 50 weeks of the year, closing for bank holidays and for a period of time over Christmas. The crèche is open Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 13:30. The play scheme is open during school holidays from 09:00 to 17:00. Children may attend for a variety of sessions.

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 setting employs 39 staff. Of these staff 20, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. A further three staff are working towards a qualification. The setting receives support from their local authority.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment where they learn the importance of good hygiene by practising skills such as washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. These routines give them life skills and older children are able to state why they need to do this.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Several staff hold first aid qualifications and this, together with well stocked first aid boxes and consent to take children to hospital in an emergency, ensures appropriate care can be given to children if they have an accident.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy good food whilst being cared for at the nursery. Menus are displayed for parents so that they are informed what their child will be eating. Weaning and baby menus are produced for younger children. Children have lots of fruit and vegetables in their diet and special dietary requirements are respected and catered for. Water is provided throughout the day to ensure children do not get thirsty.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to take part in physical exercise that helps them to remain healthy. Children are taken to the park or the village for walks and can run off energy in the club's playing fields. They have an indoor soft play centre where children climb, scramble, slide and roll in safety, supervised by staff. Children also get regular opportunities to ride bikes and move around in small cars in a hall that gives them lots of space to manoeuvre.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well organised spacious environment that enables them to move around and play safely. Toys and resources are placed at child height to ensure they can choose activities for themselves. Good quality age appropriate toys and equipment are provided for all children. Staff maintain the resources in good condition by undertaking regular checks, overseen by the management. This ensures children play with toys that are clean and free from damage.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enter an environment where staff conduct risk assessments to ensure it is safe for children to play. Systems are in place for the safe arrival and departure of children. An entry phone system enables staff to identify people wishing to come into the nursery, which supports children's safety. However, although the setting has a visitors signing in book, this is not always used to monitor the presence of visitors to the setting.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Regular fire drills are practiced by staff and children. Fire fighting equipment is in place to ensure staff are alerted to dangers early enough to evacuate the children.

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 Staff have a good understanding of child protection issues and are aware of the procedures to follow if they have a concern about a child in their care. This promotes and safeguards children's welfare within the setting.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Staff are focussed on the children and make sure they are happy and enjoying themselves whilst at the nursery. Activities provided for children offer challenge and help them to achieve. The planning of focussed activities makes sure that children cover various topics each month and this extends their learning and experiences. For example, children are currently learning about people who help us and a visit from the local fire brigade is planned. Children have been making and painting fire engines from re-cycled materials and talking to staff about the sounds the fire engines make. They talk to staff about their experiences of seeing fire engines and use fire fighting dressing up clothes to enhance their imaginations during role play.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff are very caring towards children offering lots of cuddles and reassurance. This is particularly noticeable in the room where babies under one year are cared for. Resources suitable for that age group are available and children happily romp in the ball pond or attempt to put shapes in sorters. Staff allow children of this age to experience paints by letting them touch the paints and transfer this to paper keeping their imprints to show parents.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children explore and experiment through a range of well planned activities that are appropriate for their stage of development. Children relate well to staff and each other and staff encourage children to express their thoughts and ideas by the use of good questioning and by listening to children's responses.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children who use the crèche happily enter the room eager to participate in activities that have been set out for them by consistent staff. Children who attend the play scheme, which runs in the school holidays, are given opportunities to take part in a variety of sports activities that support their physical wellbeing.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff value and respect each child's individuality, warmly welcoming each one to the setting. A good range of activities and resources help develop children's understanding of diversity. For example, posters line the pre-school room depicting children from around the world. Children learn about the festivals of others and also learn about their local community by going out and about to parks, libraries and the local village.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given lots of praise and encouragement whilst at the nursery and this boosts their self-esteem. They are well behaved, sociable and follow the example set by staff of using good manners when speaking to one another. Good explanations are given to children to help them understand right from wrong and they quickly adhere to the routine and boundaries set by the nursery.

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 Management ensure that parents provide written details about their children when they first attend the nursery. This information is kept on a child record form. However, no details of the children's own doctor have been requested.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff have developed professional and friendly relationships with staff who take time to talk to them about their child's day. Younger children have a daily diary which is exchanged between parents and key workers and this ensures consistent care for the children. Regular observations notes are made on the children and these are used to inform planning so that children's next steps can be met by staff. Parents have been invited to a meeting with their child's key worker and the manager, so that their children's development records can be shared and their achievements discussed.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children play in a friendly environment that is well laid out and organised. All staff show a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities. Children have plenty of opportunities for free play with staff interacting with them, offering support and care throughout the sessions.

p.5

Organisation

Over half the staff who work at the setting hold childcare qualifications and both staff and management are keen for them to attend external training to enhance their child care practice.

p.5

Organisation

All regulatory documentation for the safe and effective management of the setting are in place. Children's attendance records show their time of arrival and departure. A similar system is in place to record staff's attendance, but some staff are not completing these on a daily basis.

p.5

Organisation

Overall the setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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. 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.5

Complaints 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

p.5

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 good. 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): • ensure there is a system for recording all visitors as they arrive and depart • make sure GP details are included on child record forms • ensure staff attendance registers are completed as they arrive and depart.

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