Camp Beaumont - St Helen's

Camp Beaumont St Helen's School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Camp Beaumont St Helen's School

Unique Reference Number EY292591 Inspection date 21 July 2005 Inspector Maria Therese Conroy

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Camp Beaumont St Helen's School

Setting Address St. Helens School, Eastbury Road, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 3AS Telephone number 01263 823 000

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E-mail

Registered person Camp Beaumont Day Camps 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 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?

Camp Beaumont is a large company offering holiday activity camps for children age 3 to 15 years. The camp operates from St Helen's School in Northwood. It is one of 9 in London and the Home Counties. The area used for the under fives is separate to those areas used by the older children. The "Little Gables" nursery unit is the area used by the younger children. This is a purpose built area for younger children. They have a separate programme with activities, which are age appropriate.

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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 children from 5 to 15 years have a programme, which includes a vast range of activities to choose from, including tennis, archery, arts and crafts, drama and trampolining. The children are separated into age groups for their activities. The school canteen provides a choice of hot and cold foods to meet dietary requirements. Children can also bring pack lunches. The school is close to Northwood tube station, local bus routes and there is car parking facilities to drop and collect children. The camp offer a transportation system where children are picked up from the surrounding areas and central London, this facility can be arranged at an additional cost. A total of 24 staff work with the children and the required ratios are maintained. In addition staff have relevant experience and some have specific training in the activity

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

they are teaching. Staff who work in the camp have induction training prior to working with the children. The camp is open from 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, during school holidays only. It accommodates 80 children aged 3 to 8 years, however the number of children on roll varies from day to day. In addition children from 8 to 15 years will also attend. No overnight care is provided.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy well-presented and nutritious meals, for example chicken, salad, jacket potatoes and fresh fruit. Younger children receive support by the staff to encourage them to improve their independence skills. The menus comply with all special dietary requirements to ensure that children remain healthy. All children can independently help themselves to drinks throughout the day including water and squash. Children enjoy sociable mealtimes where they chat about the activities they have taken part in that morning. They can eat comfortably in the dining room, which has suitable furniture. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well-planned routines for example regular toilet runs and washing hands prior to mealtime. Children understand that they need sunscreen to protect them from the sun and they are clear on the procedures when they have a minor accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities to take part in a wide variety of physical activities, which contribute to their good health such as swimming, tennis, trampolining and archery. All children are able to rest in between the activities. Children enjoy taking part in the activities and relish in their achievements, for example one child who talks about getting to the top of the “walk the wall”. Children enhance their confidence by taking part in such a wide variety of activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s risk of accidental injury is minimised by the well-organised setting, which has good safety and security precautions, such as a separate area for the children to wait their turn to take part in activities such as archery. There are clear procedures for outings, which keep children safe. Children have access to a range of safe, good quality resources. The well-organised child-height furniture in the nursery encourages children to have independent access to resources. Staff check all equipment prior to use and there is strict guidance in place for motorised sports, which keep children safe. Children are cared for well. Three of the staff have up-to-date first aid qualifications and there are good policies and procedures in place for first aid and emergencies. The organisation of some staff that do not have reference clearance means that children are not always be protected. Staff who work with the children have a clear

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of child protection procedures, which enable them to safeguard their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play happily together in their age related groups. There are many opportunities for children to socialise together, which promote their self-esteem. Children have a broad range of activities to choose from including cheer leading, tennis and archery. This enables them to gain confidence and promotes their all round developmental skills. Younger children have their own surroundings with a separate timetable to meet their individual needs. They too have many activities that are set up to allow them to make independent choices. They have their own outdoor area, which contains age appropriate resources to allow them to promote their physical skills. Children show a strong sense of belonging by singing camp songs as they move from activity to activity. They speak proudly about their achievements with confidence to their friends and to the staff. Children are engaged in their play as they carry out

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the activities they have selected. They sing songs and play games while waiting for their turn to take part in some of the activities. Children are friendly and show care and concern for others, for example when they accompany children who are injured to the first aid area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well; they are clear on the boundaries and listen carefully to the staff

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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 when they give instructions. They take turns and show concern for others. A good partnership with parents contributes to children’s well being. Prior to the children starting, parents complete an information form about children’s individual needs to enable staff to meet those needs. Parents approach staff and discuss any worries or ask any questions they have to ensure that children are well cared for. At the end of each day a card showing what activities each child has been involved in throughout the day is given to parents, keeping them fully informed of their child’s achievements. In addition, there is a questionnaire available on line for parents to complete to allow the group to improve the service it provides. Some children who attend do not speak English as a first language. Many of the staff

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Helping children make a positive contribution

speak an additional language including Spanish, German and French, which meet the needs of the individual children who attend. Children in the nursery have few resources with positive images to allow them to learn about the wider world. Older children have many opportunities to try a vast range of activities and receive the encouragement and support of the staff to enable them to do so.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Induction training, policies and procedures are in place and work in practice to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. However, the organisation of staff does not always allow for there to be the required number of qualified staff working in each area, neither does it take into consideration the need to ensure that staff who do not have reference clearance do not have unsupervised contact with children. The premises are well organised. Indoor and outdoor space is used to maximise play opportunities for children. Children have many opportunities to take part in both indoor and outdoor activities. Children benefit from the trained staff who teach specific sporting activities such as archery and quad biking. All staff have undertaken a detailed induction, which allow them to effectively work with children and have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities; this enhances the overall care given to the children.

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Organisation

Overall, the needs of the children who attend are met.

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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

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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 staff who do not have reference clearance are never left alone with children and there is always some method of communication in place to ensure that they can call for help in the event of emergency. • enhance the resources that promote positive images of diversity and help children learn about the wider world. • ensure that the staff qualification ratio is met at all times. • keep a written record of the actual time the children arrive.

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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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