Boomerang Kids

Boomerang Kids

Inspection report for early years provision

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Boomerang Kids

Unique Reference Number EY298720 Inspection date 18 January 2006 Inspector Fler Wright

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Boomerang Kids

Setting Address Saltdean Barn, Saltdean Oval Park, Arundel Drive West, Saltdean, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 8SJ Telephone number 01273 390900 E-mail boomerangkids@ntlworld.com Registered person Boomerang Kids LTD Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care, Out of School care

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Boomerang Kids

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?

Boomerang Kids opened in 2005. It is a charity run group and operates within a converted barn, in Saltdean near Brighton, East Sussex. They have sole use of the premises during opening hours and there is a secure outdoor play area available. The setting is open five days a week, during school term time and selected school holidays. Sessions are from 08.30 to 18.00. The setting is registered to care for 30 children aged from 2 to 8 years, and children can also attend up to the age of 11 years. There are currently 100 children on roll. Of these, 28 children receive funding for nursery education. Children attend for a variety

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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 of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special educational needs and with English as an additional language. The setting employs 17 staff. The vast majority of the staff, including the manager and deputy, hold appropriate early years qualifications. There are 2 members of staff working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Established hygiene routines enable children to learn about the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health. Most children know they need to wash their hands before eating in order to get rid of the germs to stop them getting tummy ache. Children have access to a clean and hygienic environment and those who are infectious do not attend, which helps to prevent the spread of contagious ailments. Children bring packed lunches and parents are asked not to supply sweets and fizzy drinks in order to help encourage children to develop healthy eating practices. Healthy snacks are provided twice a day, and foods such as crackers, carrots and toast are on offer which helps to meet the dietary needs of all children. Planned topics and activities help children to learn the differences between food that is good and bad for their bodies. Children eat their snack in their key worker groups and sit on a small cushioned mat

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Helping children to be healthy

on the kitchen floor at this time. Although staff use this as an effective opportunity to develop children's social skills, the space available is cramped, and children do not have the opportunity to use plates or to pour their own drinks, slightly hindering their learning potential. Children can help themselves to a drink of water, as a jug and cups are available at all times. This helps to ensure they are sufficiently hydrated and although some children are beginning to start to help themselves, others are not fully aware that water is so readily available. Children enjoy a range of activities that help to develop their physical skills. They are involved in outside play and music and movement sessions on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to warm and welcoming play areas which are generally organised effectively in order to enable them to explore and move around freely. The book area has the potential to be an inviting space as it has a low level, wall mounted book rack and a number of floor cushions. However, it is situated right next to a table that is in constant use, making the area cramped and hard for children to sit down and relax quietly in comfort should they wish to do so. There are a good range of quality toys and resources appropriate for the ages of the children being cared for.

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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 Equipment is stored in clearly labelled, low level drawers which encourages children to access items independently giving them freedom of choice. The premises are secure and there are effective procedures in place to prevent unwanted visitors gaining access to the setting as there is a videophone entry system in use. Fire evacuation drills are practiced at regular intervals to help ensure children are aware of the procedure to follow in the event of an emergency. However, some staff do not have an adequate understanding of their responsibilities during a fire evacuation, which puts children at a slight risk. Staff are aware of potential hazards and the nursery is a generally safe environment for children to play in. Staff deployment is effective for the majority of the day, but on isolated occasions, children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are not appropriately supervised putting a small number of children in the main hall at a potential risk of harm as staff are either engrossed in talking to other children or busy supervising outdoor play. Staff have an understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, are well trained and have experience of taking action should they have concerns about a child in their care. This ensures they quickly recognise when a child is in danger and can act in the child’s best interests.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and confident and enjoy the time they spend at the setting. They eagerly tell stories about their home lives indicating they feel at ease in the secure environment available. Children relate well to staff and to each other. Most confidently approach staff for support showing that some trusting relationships are built. Children have access to good quality, stimulating toys that provide both balance and challenge. Resources are organised effectively in order to help children to use their initiative and develop increasing confidence and independence. The structure of the day works well. Preschool children are divided into groups with their key worker and stay in these groups during their time at the setting. Each group rotates around the different areas of the building during the day, but the timetable is very flexible which helps children to relax and enjoy the activities they choose to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

become involved with. Children eagerly participate in and learn from a broad range of activities and topics that help to encourage their learning and development. Some children concentrate for extended periods of time on their chosen activities showing they are appropriately challenged. Staff are enthusiastic and are usually able to give children appropriate support during their play, which helps contribute to their learning. Staff plan activities using the Foundation Stage and Birth to Three Matters framework which helps to ensure that children's developmental progress is encouraged, and activities are planned according to the individual needs and ages of the children attending. Staff are well trained and use their appropriate skills and experiences effectively in order to meet the needs of the different ages of children attending the setting.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and are made to feel good about themselves. They take it in turns to be a 'special helper' each day and are given responsible jobs to complete. This helps to give them an important feeling that they are making a positive contribution to the group. Their work is displayed showing that staff also value their contributions. Staff generally encourage all children to participate in the activities provided, which helps to ensure they all have an equal opportunity to maximise their enjoyment and potential. There are an appropriate range of resources and topics on offer that help children to learn about individuality, different cultures, and the wider world. Staff have experience of caring for children with special needs, and provision is strong in this area. Staff work closely with parents and outside agencies to help ensure children's individual needs are met. Children behave well and benefit from

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Helping children make a positive contribution

helpful explanations from staff enabling them to play within the boundaries set and learn right from wrong. Staff offer regular praise and encouragement to children to help increase their confidence and self-esteem. Staff encourage a communicative relationship with parents, who are very happy with the care provided. Parents provide a wealth of appropriate and relevant information about their children to staff on detailed registration forms, which helps to ensure children receive individual care and attention. Regular newsletters, topic and activity information sheets and daily exchanges of information all help to encourage strong communication links between staff and parents. This helps parents to feel involved in their child's learning as well as ensuring each child's ever-changing care needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The vast majority of mandatory records are in place, are confidential and well maintained. This helps to ensure the safe and effective management of the setting in order to promote children's welfare. There are generally effective procedures in place for recruiting new staff. However, although new employees sign a consent form to allow the setting to approach their doctor for a medical report, the management do not follow up on this, which means that there is no formal way of assessing staff's medical suitability, putting children at a slight risk. Staff have an adequate understanding of their role in supporting children in their play and learning, but do not have sufficient knowledge of their responsibilities during a fire evacuation. There is a high ratio of qualified staff on duty, helping to ensure children benefit appropriately from their skills and experience. Staff deployment is

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Organisation

generally effective, although the lack of supervision in the main room at isolated times, puts children at a slight risk. In general, children benefit from the sufficient organisation of the setting. They are

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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 well grouped and there is a satisfactory key worker system in place which helps to ensure children are appropriately cared for. However, the organisation of snack time slightly restricts children's learning potential, and the layout and organisation of the book area hinders the opportunities for children to freely enjoy books in comfort. Overall, staff meet the needs of the range of children for whom they provide.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 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): • re-organise snack time in order to increase children's learning potential. • ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities in the event of a fire. • enhance the book area to make is more inviting for children to access independantly. • ensure staff are well deployed in order to help keep children safe and free from harm. • ensure there are effective procedures in place to check the medical suitability of staff.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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