Elm Grove Childcare Club

Elm Grove Childcare Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Elm Grove Childcare Club

EY283996 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2006 Inspection date Rosemary Musgrove Inspector

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Elm Grove Childcare Club

Thomas A Becket First School, Pelham Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 1JB

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Setting Address

07909 873507 Telephone number mobile 07833632264 E-mail Kerry Osborne Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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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

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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

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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.

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

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Elm Grove Childcare Club was registered in 2004. It operates from Thomas A Becket First School in Worthing, West Sussex. The club has sole use of the small hall and access to the main school hall, library, outdoor space and playing fields. The club serves the local area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The provision is registered for 45 children between the ages of three and eight years. There are currently 93 children on roll. The club opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are before school from 07:45 to 08:45 and from the end of school until 16:30 or an extended session until 18:00. The provision welcomes children from all cultures and supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are six staff plus the provider who work with the children. Over half the staff have appropriate early years qualifications.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy a range of healthy snacks when they arrive at the club. These are attractively presented by the staff and include slices of peppers, cucumber, tomatoes and apples. The children have their own snack pot and enthusiastically select their favourites. Children sit at the tables and develop their social skills as they chat with friends of different ages. Drinks are available at all times. In the club room children can choose from apple juice, orange or water. Outside their room they use a water fountain.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean environment. They learn the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines. For example, when they arrive at the club after school, they independently wash their hands before eating their snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

A number of staff hold a current first aid qualification, this means they can give children appropriate care in the event of an accident. The club maintains detailed accident records and have requested written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment. The club does not generally administer medication to the children. If a child needs long term treatment, for example, an inhaler, the club understand the need for parental permission and detailed records. Children who have an infectious illness do not attend, this prevents the spread of unwanted contagious diseases.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of physical activities on a daily basis, this contributes to their good health and physical development. Outside, on the playground, they enjoy a game of football or running around and letting off steam. A variety of small equipment helps the children to develop their co-ordination skills. They practise skipping, throwing and catching balls, twirling with hula hoops and jumping and counting the numbers on the large number grid.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a setting that is child friendly, welcoming and well-organised. The children's attractive art work is on the wall, for example, a large dinosaur and a sparkling hand print Christmas tree. Children have enough space to move around independently and play safely in the designated club room. They also have access to the main school hall. This means they can choose from a good range of resources and take part in a number of activities. Some favourite activities include playing chess, building lego models or watching a video. A playground and field complement the indoor accommodation and mean that children can enjoy fresh air and outdoor games every day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are secure while on the premises. There is a closed circuit television camera and this means that all people are viewed before they come into the room. The club keep records of adults who can collect the children at the end of the day. If someone different is collecting the child, the club requests their name, description and a password. This means that children

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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 protected when leaving the club. There are written procedures of the action to take if a child is uncollected or lost.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The setting benefit from being located in the main school as they have regular maintenance undertaken by outside contractors. This includes checks on alarms and fire fighting equipment. Children take part in emergency evacuation procedures. This means they learn how to keep themselves safe in the event of an emergency. Staff are aware of potential hazards and take action to minimise them. For example, before the club starts they check the cleanliness of the room and if any equipment has been left out by the school. Staff do risk assessments in order to protect the children, particularly if there has been a recurring accident. Children describe how they keep themselves safe, for example, they do not go near the refrigerator or go with someone they do not know.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children in the setting are protected because some staff have undertaken child protection training. This means they have an understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. They have the current documentation to refer to, if they have concerns about a child in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children arrive happily and settle well at the club. They like talking to the staff and confidently approach them for advice. They thoroughly enjoy doing an activity or playing a game alongside an adult. This indicates that there are good trusting relationships between the children and staff. Children have the opportunity to make independent choices. They can choose a quiet or a physical activity, or join an adult and group of children to help create a large Father Christmas collage.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in planning the activities and weekly themes. During a recent theme on food they designed and made their own pizzas. While finding out about the Egyptians they created a large Tutankhamen and this sits proudly on the wall of their club.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are a good range of interesting resources and activities that are well organised within the room. Children choose from a number of board games, construction equipment and craft resources. Older children are very absorbed during a game of chess, while younger ones enjoy racing each other in the snail game. Children work well together and show they can take turns when playing with their friends.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to develop their creative skills. They are keen and motivated to select their own crayons and papers from a craft area and enjoy colouring Christmas worksheets. Structured activities help the children to develop their small motor skills. They cut out their own hand prints, apply glue and cover them with sparkly green glitter to create a large Christmas tree. Children are very involved as they discover the intricacies of sewing their felt Christmas stockings and are pleased with their finished article.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children at the club enjoy relaxing and chatting with their friends after a day at school. They choose to watch a Walt Disney video, browse a book with an adult or play a computer game.

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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 Children are positive about the club. They like how the staff help them with their homework and how they cheer them up if they are feeling sad.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed to the club. Staff treat them with respect and make them feel good about themselves. The club have a good understanding of equal opportunities and make sure that all children are included. Activities attract both boys and girls, for example, they do sewing activities and play football together. Children learn about the wider world through the celebration of festivals. During the Indian festival of Diwali they painted patterns on their hands and during Chinese New Year they made dragons. However, the club has limited resources that encourage children to develop a positive view of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Currently, there are a number of children who have additional learning needs. Staff are aware of these individual requirements. They adapt all activities so that each child can take part. The location and the facilities within the club mean they are able to accommodate children who have physical difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well at the club and understand the boundaries and the reasons why rules are applied. At the beginning of a session children remind each other of the rules. These include procedures for going to the toilet, selecting their snack and hearing the fire alarm. This means the children are actively involved in their own behaviour management. Children benefit from adults who offer a consistent approach to dealing with behaviour issues. Children understand the stages of the sanctions. These include three reminders of the expectation, time out and finally communication with their parents. Children learn important social skills when they mix with a variety of children, for example, they learn to share resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive a range of appropriate information about their children's care. The parent information sheet gives details of session times, activities and staff. A pamphlet for parents who have booked a place in the club gives them a condensed guide of the procedures and policies. This includes a complaints procedure, however, this does not contain the contact numbers for the regulatory body. Communication with parents is through a notice board and informal daily discussions. Parents and carers are happy with the service the club provides. They feel their children are happy, staff are welcoming and they like the choice of activities. However, they would welcome more information.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Staff that have a good range of experience and suitable qualifications care for children at the club. This means that they have the appropriate care and support. They settle well, feel confident and secure. Staff deployment is good throughout the setting and children are well supervised. Planning includes a range of suitable quiet and lively activities, both inside and outdoors.

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Organisation

There are suitable recruitment procedures in place. This means that appropriate staff look after the children. A written handout gives newly appointed staff information on security issues, fire

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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 drills and behaviour management. However, the setting has not notified Ofsted of a number of staff changes.

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Organisation

The majority of required documentation is in place. This is well maintained, for example, the record of attendance includes the exact times that children leave the club. This means that children are kept safe. There are a number of procedures and policies in place and these help to promote the welfare and care of the children. They include equal opportunities, child protection and behaviour management.

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Organisation

Staff and parents speak together on a daily basis. This contributes to and enhances the continuity of the children's care.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the setting was asked to ensure that all required information is in the accident recording.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The setting now records all the required information in the accident records.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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.

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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 good. 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 complaints procedure includes regulator's telephone number • ensure Ofsted is informed of significant events and changes • continue to extend resources that reflect a positive view of diversity.

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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 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

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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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