Sunshine Nursery

Club (Kidseen) and Playgroup

Inspection report for early years provision

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Club (Kidseen) and Playgroup

312604 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2007 Inspection date Julie, Anne Swan Inspector

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Club (Kidseen) and Playgroup

New Road, Boldon Colliery, Tyne and Wear, NE35 9DZ Setting Address

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E-mail

Boldon Community Assoc OOSC (Kidseen) & Playgroup Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Sessional care, Out of School care 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 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?

Boldon Community Association Playgroup and Out of School Club (Kidseen) opened in 1998 and 1999 respectively. The playgroup operates from the Band Room. The out of school club operates from the Davison Room and the Youth Room. Both clubs serve the local community. The playgroup is open each weekday from 09.30 to 11.30 and 12.45 to 14.45 term time only. The out of school club opens five days a week from 15.45 to 18.00 term time, and 08.30 to 18.00 during school holidays. It opens 50 weeks of the year. There are currently 34 children aged from two years to under five years on roll in the playgroup and 50 children on roll in the out of school club.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Most of the staff working with the children hold 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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in clean and well maintained premises. Due to the lack of suitable outdoor play facilities, children in the playgroup can not play in the fresh air, however, they do enjoy some opportunities for exercise indoors such as rolling and bouncing soft balls and playing on soft play equipment. This enables children to develop their physical skills and maintain their health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

The sickness policy helps to protect children from illness and infection. This information is shared with parents before their children attend the provisions. All relevant documentation, including individual health needs, consent forms, medication and accident records are maintained. The accident forms, however, do not always record the full details of accidents. The provision has appropriate procedures in place to ensure that a good standard of hygiene is maintained daily. For example, the tables are washed prior to snacks being served. Children learn good hygiene practices as they are reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating meals. However, aprons are not available for staff to wear when changing nappies, which may not prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are clearly established before the children attend. Healthy eating is promoted and snacks for the children always include a piece of fruit. Water is available for children to drink throughout the sessions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained environment, which is effectively organised to enable them to move around freely and independently. Toys and resources are set out attractively in the playgroup, which enables the children to see what is available and to make choices. The out of school club has a large storage cupboard from which, children freely access toys and resources of choice. All toys and resources are well maintained and in satisfactory condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Generally, children's safety is promoted well and staff have good levels of awareness with regard to promoting children's safety. They ensure good levels of supervision at all times. Children learn about promoting their own safety through staff explanations, for example, no throwing of toys as someone may get hurt. Children do not, however, practise the fire drill procedure on a regular basis. Risk assessments are conducted and these help to identify and minimise hazards to children. Strategies and systems are in place to ensure toys and equipment meet appropriate safety standards; these are routinely checked as part of the setting's ongoing health and safety policy and procedures. However, the opening lever of the fire door leading directly to a road is at child height which compromises children's 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 Children's welfare is safeguarded by staff who have a good level of knowledge with regard to child protection. They have a sound understanding of their responsibilities and know the procedure to follow if they have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and happy and have settled well. The playgroup follows effective settling-in procedures which are adapted to meet the individual needs of the child. Children relate well to staff and are developing good friendships. Staff know the children well and are responsive to each child's needs. Children display a sense of belonging and approach staff for support.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities for the playgroup children are planned in advance and include a variety of activities to promote children's learning and development. Children are able to explore and experiment using the resources set out for them. The children also enjoy adult-led activities, such as creative activities linked to themes. Staff, however, are not using the 'Birth to three matters' framework to guide them in meeting each child's development needs. The out of school club encourages children to make choices and enables independent play. Holiday activities are planned around a theme. Staff organise visits, which they link to creative work and research projects, to extend the children's learning. Evidence of creative work undertaken during the holidays is displayed, and includes African and Indian wall hangings which were made by the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and there is a positive approach to the inclusion of all children. There are effective procedures in place to ensure staff receive good quality information relating to the individual care needs of each child. Staff use their knowledge of individual children to promote their sense of belonging and self-esteem. For example, talking to a child about a new baby in their family and making them feel special. Children develop a positive attitude towards others and are involved in activities to develop an understanding of the wider world. A very good range of resources and activities to develop children's awareness of diversity in the playgroup is available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. Children attending the out of school club are involved in agreeing the ground rules of the setting. Staff, in both settings, provide clear and consistent boundaries to help the children learn what is acceptable. Age appropriate methods are used by staff, including explanation and distraction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff are committed to developing effective partnerships with parents. Staff welcome parents into the settings in order to develop good channels of communication. Information about children's care and activities is shared verbally when children are collected. Information about future activities is displayed for parents in the playgroup. Plans for the out of school holiday activities are shared with parents in advance. Both settings have information boards where

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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 information for parents is displayed. Parents receive written information booklets about the settings and are informed that they can access a copy of the group's policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The staff working with the children organise the environment well and provide a good variety of play opportunities for the children. Staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They implement routines well to give children a broad range of experiences. Staff deploy themselves effectively to ensure children's safety is promoted and to provide good levels of support with activities. A good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities are provided for all children in accordance with their age and stage of development.

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Organisation

Staff have a sound knowledge of the National Standards and take their responsibility to ensure compliance seriously. They take active steps to extend their awareness of good practice issues, for example, through further training opportunities.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are in place which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision and to promote the welfare and care of the children. These are updated and reviewed regularly with staff to ensure the ongoing continuity and consistency in care for the children.

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Organisation

Appropriate contact information, personal details and records regarding children and their care are maintained as far as currently possible. Arrangements for the daily exchange of information with parents are established, therefore children benefit from consistency of car.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection an action was raised in relation to notifying Ofsted of significant changes to the provision. Ofsted has now received details about the playgroup manager so relevant suitability checks can be made, thus ensuring children's safety and well being.

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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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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): • improve hygiene practices when changing nappies by ensuring aprons are available for staff • ensure children's safety with regard to the fire door • ensure fire drills are practised on a regular basis.

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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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