West Park Out of School club

West Park Nursery and Out of School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

West Park Nursery and Out of School Club

EY303614 Unique Reference Number 19 October 2006 Inspection date Pauline Pinnegar Inspector

p.1

West Park Nursery and Out of School Club

Alderman Leach School, Alderman Leach Drive, West Park, Darlington, County Durham, DL2 2GF

p.1

E-mail

West Park Day Nursey Limited 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

West Park Nursery and Out of School Club was registered in March 2005 and operates from one classroom, the 'hub room' plus the school hall and the wrap around care operates from the foundation unit within Alderman Leach Primary School, which is located in Darlington. A maximum of 30 children may attend the provision at any one time. The provision is open each weekday from 07.30 to 18.00 for 51 weeks of the year and provides a wrap around service to the foundation unit within the school.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 50 children on roll, with 38 aged three to under eight years on roll. Children attend from the local area.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are four members of staff working with the children and additional members of staff are available to cover when required. Three of the staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. There is one member of staff working towards a further qualification.

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Parents' wishes are taken into account so that children's individual health and dietary needs are met. Children enjoy fresh and dried fruit at snack time and the breakfast and tea time menu is well balanced; meals are freshly prepared and choices available reflect children's preferences. They are able to access drinks independently and sometimes help with preparation of snacks. Snack and tea times are relaxed and sociable, as children sit together and share the day's events.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy plenty of physical activity. They have good access to the adjoining school playing field to play with the large parachute and join in with rounders and other ball and team games, using the full range of sports equipment. Children can rest and be active according to their individual needs with suitable 'chill out' areas for school age children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Staff actively promote good hygiene to prevent spread of infection and keep children healthy; health and hygiene policies clearly define procedures to be followed. Children learn good hygiene practices within their everyday routines, as they are reminded to wash their hands before having snacks and tea using alcohol gel. Arrangements for first aid, administering medication and strict implementation of the sickness policy fully protects children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safely cared for in a secure and welcoming environment, where staff check the premises each day and refer any issues of concern to the school caretaker. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. There is a clear health and safety statement in place. The outdoor area is secure. Staff are deployed effectively to ensure safe supervision of children both indoors and out. There is a clear policy in place for outings with effective risk assessments completed prior to each trip. Children are confident to make any concerns known; they are confident to seek staff support to negotiate difficulties, which enables them to feel safe and secure in the club. There is a clear health and safety statement in place. Staff give priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, they have explored topics, such as 'staying safe in the sun' and road safety. Children are

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

encouraged to stay close to a member of staff when out walking. There is appropriate fire safety equipment in place which is tested regularly and a regular fire drill is practised with children. This ensures they remain safe in the event of an emergency.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are very clear about their responsibilities to ensure children are protected and understand their child protection policy. However, the policy lacks sufficient detail about procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff and the group do not have available a copy of their Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures, which compromises children's safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access an interesting and varied selection of equipment, all in excellent condition and frequently checked for safety and cleanliness by staff. Equipment is accessible and 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 are fully aware of what is available. This allows children to make choices for themselves and direct their own play. All the toys are suitable for the ages of children attending to ensure they enjoy a wide range of activities to promote all areas of their development.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy attending the club and talk very positively about what they like doing. They decide, 'there's lots to do; it's good fun'. There is a balanced range of play opportunities, so children have choices when planning their own play. Resources are stored in a cupboard which children can access safely and independently but they are very confident to ask staff if they want any additional resources. Children access a range of activities, like construction, small world, games, drawing and hand held computers at each session. Staff consistently ensure, for example, a quiet area is available for resting, with cushions and books, and a well resourced craft room to encourage children's independent creativity. Children are very relaxed and share lots of conversation together; they are very comfortable in the welcoming environment.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff use the Foundation Stage guidance to plan a range of developmentally appropriate activities for younger children. Planning takes place with the staff in the foundation unit to ensure continuity and to promote children's development. Children behave well and are developing a sense of right and wrong. They respond well to staff and are developing high levels of self-esteem as a result of the consistent support, praise and encouragement given to them. Younger children explore topics such as 'new life' investigating the life cycle of caterpillars, butterflies, lambs and birds. The theme of 'growth' had children planting broad beans and developing their own mini gardens. Children develop their creativity with malleable activities, such as sand, water, paint and salt dough.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy a wealth of art and craft activities including investigating with corn flour, making puppets and wind chimes. Children have become very involved in developing the outdoor area planting their own herb garden and growing strawberries and tomatoes. In the school holidays they have taken part in lots of interesting outings, such as trips to the Life Centre Museum and the cinema. They also took part in a kite making day.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children understand responsible behaviour and are fully able to distinguish between right and wrong. For example, they have devised their own rules for the club and regularly refer to these when necessary. Their behaviour is very good and staff implement entirely appropriate strategies, such as providing sound explanations. High priority is given to promoting good table manners and encouraging a culture of respect for others.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are warmly welcomed and staff ensure resources are readily available. Planned activities are undertaken that positively represent the local and wider community, for example, as they celebrate festivals, such as Mardi Gras when they made masks. They celebrated lots of summer festivals, such as the Japanese festival of Tangonosekku, the Buddhist festival of light and the

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 Hindu festival Holi. Some resources are available reflecting other cultures and races. This helps increase children's awareness of diversity and develop a positive attitude to others. The staff's understanding of each child's needs is used well to encourage a sense of security and belonging. There is a clear special needs statement in place.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Trusting partnerships have been established with parents to help promote children's well-being. Parent's views about their children's needs are sought and they are kept verbally informed about their child's day. Parents have access to the complaints policy, which is in the easily accessible policy file and displayed on the notice board. However, the telephone number of Ofsted is not included on the policy and the log is not in line with changes to regulations.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The club is well organised to ensure children's welfare and safety. Daily routines are clearly planned and flexibly implemented, to respond to children's varying needs. Staff are deployed effectively and careful risk assessments are in place to monitor children's safety. Staff are appropriately vetted and have suitable skills to work with children; recruitment procedures are detailed and robust so that children are protected. Staff training and development needs are identified appropriately. Most of the staff have early years qualifications. The management promotes staff attendance at relevant training. The knowledge gained by staff is used to enhance the care that is given to the children. Staff appraisals are undertaken regularly. This enables management to identify training needs and to continually improve the care given to children. Adult-to-child ratios are met effectively to ensure children's safety. Staff are clear

p.5

Organisation

about their roles and responsibilities and work well together as a team within the whole of the foundation unit. This means that there is a seamless transfer between the two groups for children.

p.5

Organisation

Effective induction procedures and ongoing review and monitoring help to ensure that staff are familiar with required policies and procedures. The comprehensive policies and procedures are consistently applied and appropriately updated, so that children's welfare is safeguarded. Most required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place. Parents' wishes regarding their child's care influence day to day practice and clear written agreements are recorded for most situations. Staff talk through policies and procedures with parents when children are admitted to the club and copies of policies are readily accessible to parents.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision 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.

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 The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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): • improve knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures, and ensure the child protection policy includes a statement for the procedures to be followed should there be an allegation made against a member of staff • review the complaints procedure in line with changes to regulations.

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