Little Seahorse Nursery/Hi Tide Kidz Club

Little Seahorse Creche/Hitide Kidz Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Little Seahorse Creche/Hitide Kidz Club

EY337656 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2007 Inspection date Linda Janet Chauveau Inspector

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Little Seahorse Creche/Hitide Kidz Club

St Ives Children's Centre, The Burrows, St. Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1DJ Setting Address

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E-mail

Little Seahorses Childcare Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care, Crèche Type of 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

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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?

Little Seahorses Crèche and Hitide Kidz Club opened in 2006 to serve the local area of St Ives, Cornwall. It is sited on, and forms part of, the St Ives Children's Centre, which is situated at the rear of St Ives Leisure Centre. It is run by a husband and wife partnership, trading as Little Seahorses Childcare. The centre comprises a crèche and out of school care facilities. A maximum of 54 children may be on site at any one time. A maximum of 30 children may attend the out of school club. The out of school club is open each weekday from 07:45 to 09:00 and 15:00 to 18:00 term time only, excluding bank holidays and from 08:30 until 17:30 during school holidays. Up to 46 children may attend the crèche at any one time. The crèche is open from 09:30 to 14:30 all year round, excluding bank holidays. The crèche supports parents and carers attending the centre; attending a variety of courses run on site or drop-in support groups for parents,

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All services are housed in a purpose-built building with outdoor play areas for the children. There are currently 133 children aged from birth up to eight years on roll. Children who attend

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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 crèche are under five years of age. Children aged over eight years also attend the out of school club. The setting welcomes children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is an overall manager who is responsible for the operation of the centre. The childcare services are the responsibility of Little Seahorses Childcare. There are two managers and seven staff who work with the children in the out of school club and the crèche. All the staff have early years or play work qualifications to level 2 or 3. There is a part-time children's centre teacher who provides support and advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted by staff who follow good procedures to maintain standards of hygiene throughout the club and crèche. For example, they reduce the spread of infection by cleaning tables prior to children's use and follow good procedures for nappy changing and when teaching younger children how to wash their hands correctly. Children's health is safeguarded by staff who hold up to date first aid training and maintain required record keeping systems for accidents and medication. The information and required consents given by parents at registration enable staff to respond appropriately in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Indoors, children enthusiastically use soft play equipment and a climbing area, which provides challenge and opportunities to exercise and use large muscles, this helps promote their good health. Younger children attending the crèche, push and ride on a variety of wheeled toys and scramble over wooden rockers to develop strength and mobility. At present, children have few opportunities on site to play in the fresh air on a regular basis. However, older children go for walks to visit local beaches, play parks and a nearby school to use their outdoor facilities. If children need to rest or a quiet time there are good facilities available, a range of cots for babies and sofas for older children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to regular drinks throughout the day and staff provide a healthy and interesting variety of snacks. These include fresh and dried fruit and vegetables and healthy eating bread with a variety of sweet and savoury toppings. Snack times are used to develop social skills as children prepare and serve their own snacks and talk about the source of foods available. Parents provide a packed lunch for their children that can be stored appropriately on site; however, the setting does not offer parents guidance as to suitable contents for children's lunches in order to promote healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept very safe in the crèche and out of school club because of the security systems in place and the vigilance of, and monitoring procedures followed by staff. Closed circuit television is in place to monitor sections of the premises, entrance doors are secure and visitors and children are carefully signed in and out. Thorough risk assessments and daily checks of the premises help to keep children safe on site and on outings. Children learn about personal safety

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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 when off site using reflective tabards to minimise personal risk. The owners have produced comprehensive child protection procedures, which are designed to keep children safe from harm. Staff have a sound understanding of the procedures to follow and records to keep, if they have concerns about a child in their care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The crèche and out of school club are bright, airy and spacious. Staff have organised the space available to provide children with an exciting and stimulating care environment. Children move freely and safely between areas, with good space for floor and tabletop activities. Children are able to access an extensive range of resources set out by staff and have many opportunities to select activities for themselves from the range of open shelving and storage units sited within the playrooms. The vast range of toys and games are age-appropriate and well maintained. The storage facilities for resources not in regular use are limited and not always easily accessible to staff. Cardboard packaging of newly delivered equipment stored in an access corridor is a potential hazard to younger children. At present there is no designated outside play area for children other than a small paved area accessible from the out of school club. However, plans

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are in place to develop the lawn outside the centre to provide a very imaginative and exciting play area for all children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children really enjoy their time at both the crèche and out of school club. Older children have very good relationships with staff and contribute ideas and suggestions for activities at the club. Children interact well with each other, playing independently to develop their imaginations, for example using clothes and props in the role play area to act out super-hero play scenarios. They enjoy free access to a range of quality toys, games and resources, which they use to develop their own craft ideas, for example making display stands for jewellery from recycled materials. Children are able to self-regulate their play, taking turns at the computer games console and pool table. The owners of the club are keen to develop links with the local community and invite members of public services such as the police, ambulance and fire services to come and talk to children about their roles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children attending the crèche take pleasure in the variety of toys available, including those made from natural materials, in addition to man made resources. Staff work well to settle children in and encourage their play. They ensure they are fully briefed by parents on arrival to help provide individual support. Children enjoy gluing and sticking a variety of craft resources to make pictures, singing songs and playing with ethnic musical instruments. They have access to a messy play area with paints and sand and can develop their imaginations in a well resourced role play area. A separate area is available for babies offering sensory stimulation with a range of tactile floor coverings, mirrors and sounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have formed trusting relationships with staff and each other. Staff have sound knowledge of children's individual needs. All children are warmly welcomed and fully included.

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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 Staff take time to ensure that children new to the centre or attending the crèche are fully settled in. Children have access to a good range of resources and activities to learn about their local community and the wider world. There are fewer resources available to develop children's awareness of people with disabilities. There are appropriate systems in place to support children with additional needs. The manager is able to access support from outside agencies should this be required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good; older children participate amicably in independent play with little adult support. They are considerate of each other, for example, teaching others the rules of pool and taking turns at the computer games console. All staff act as calm role models and lead by setting good examples, they focus on rewarding positive behaviour, following the centre's behaviour management procedures. Younger children receive sensitive support to ensure that their time spent at the crèche is a positive experience.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are relaxed and informal. Detailed information about the centre and its staff plus useful community information is available in the reception area. Staff obtain good information from parents on their child's preferences when they join the centre by completion of an entry "All about me" questionnaire and comprehensive registration forms. Parents receive verbal feedback from staff about their child's time at the centre.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a very well-organised environment. Staff clearly know their roles and responsibilities. They effectively implement routines to enable children to access a balanced range of planned and free choice activities throughout the session. The managers and staff use time and resources effectively to provide child-centred care, for example, arranging the out of school club in a "youth club" style to appeal to older children. The outdoor areas have not yet been developed into a stimulating environment to complement the indoor spaces. Comprehensive employment, induction and appraisal systems for all staff ensure their on-going suitability and professional development. An extensive range of operational policies and procedures underpins the smooth operation of the centre. Staff's understanding and implementation these policies and procedures means that children are well cared for and the

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Organisation

centre operates successfully. All required documentation, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place and regularly reviewed.

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Organisation

The centre is currently focussing on establishing and developing its childcare provision. At present, crèche and out of school care is provided. Although the childcare services have be running for less than six months, the after school provision is nearly full, and the holiday and crèche sessions are well attended. Full day care is planned to be offered in the near future, which will provide wraparound care for children attending the nearby primary school, as well as full day care for babies and funded education sessions for older children if the need arises. Parents using the crèche have already shown interest in accessing the full day care.

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Organisation

The crèche offers childcare for siblings of families attending baby massage and weighing sessions with the community midwives, and for children whose parents are attending childcare and parenting courses in the centre. The centre is also used by Sure Start to offer "stay and play"

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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 and "crafty caterpillar" sessions to enable parents and carers living in the community to participate in play sessions with their children. A toy library and community café are also available on site. Guidance and advice is provided by support staff and a qualified teacher employed by Sure Start and the local authority. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides

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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.

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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): • improve outcomes for children by providing accessible outside play facilities on site • ensure that there is sufficient safe and secure storage for resources and equipment not in regular use.

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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

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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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