The Pelican Out Of School Club

The Pelican Out Of School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344114 Unique Reference Number 27 March 2007 Inspection date Gyatri Rupal Inspector

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Pendragon Community Primary School, Varrier Jones Drive, Papworth Everard, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 8XQ

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Setting Address

07855 364 322 Telephone number mail@levett28.fsnet.co.uk E-mail The Pelican Out of School Club Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, 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?

The Pelican Out of School Club originally opened in 2000 and changed its premises in 2006. It operates from Pendragon Community Primary School premises in Papworth Everard, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. The club uses one large room during the school term and has the use of an additional large room and a sports hall in the school holidays. Children regularly use the outdoor play area which is securely fenced. The club serves the children from the Pelican school only.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 30 children from four to eight years on roll. During school term, the club is open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 09:00 and 15:15 to 18:00

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

During school holidays, the club is open four days a week. Monday to Thursday; 7:30 to 18:00. It is open throughout the year, except during Christmas and a short summer break, when it is shut for a week and two weeks respectively. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports children with learning difficulties and children who speak English as an additional language. There are four staff employed to work with children, more than half of whom are qualified.

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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 are cared for in a clean environment where they understand the importance of regular cleaning routines to keep them safe and healthy. They learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through daily routine as they wash hands before their snacks and cooking activities. They help tidy up after snacks. Children learn about keeping their bodies healthy through discussion, topic based activities and a range of interesting books. They know which type of food is good to eat. The club provide nutritious snacks that appeal to the children as well as meeting their dietary needs. Children have access to drinking water and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. The club encourages parents to provide healthy packed lunches during school holidays.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They use the outside play area regularly to benefit from the fresh air. They experience a variety of challenging physical activities, using a wide range of play equipment. For example, they have fun playing football, basketball or cricket. They run around in the playground playing games and enthusiastically create detailed models with different types of construction sets, complete jigsaws and use various tools when making models. They play with the snooker table and football game table.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from infection because the practitioners have a good understanding of children's health care matters. They implement comprehensive policies and procedures which promote good health and children’s well-being. For example, the person in charge holds a basic food hygiene certificate which helps promote good hygiene practice within the daily routine and most members of staff hold a valid first aid certificate so that they can treat minor accidents. However, medication records are not always recorded appropriately which may impact on children’s well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety takes high priority in this well-organised setting. Children feel very safe, secure and confident in the setting. At each session, staff welcome parents and children by the entrance door and direct them to the playroom. Parents and visitors sign in and doors are secured following the end of registration. These remain locked until children depart at the end of the session. Vigorous risk assessments and frequent physical checks of the environment; activities and resources ensure children's total well-being. Written health and safety procedures are effectively implemented. For example, staff undertake site visits of external facilities prior to children having access. This monitors suitability and minimises the potential risk to children. Furniture and equipment are organised effectively so that children can move around safely, freely and independently. Staff are vigilant in their supervision of the children. Children are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

closely supervised when playing outside and are reminded of safety boundaries. This ensures children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe through a variety of interesting activities, books and discussion. For example, during their safety project they visited a fire station and police station to learn about people who help keep them safe. They also adhere to the club's rules to keep them safe. Children are aware of what to do if there is a fire as they practise a fire drill every

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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 Monday. Children are protected with a comprehensive child protection policy and procedure that is compliant with current legislation and guidance. Staff understand the correct procedures to follow in the event of any concerns and have an understanding of how to protect children. Most staff have completed child protection training to ensure children's welfare is a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a broad variety of exciting play and activities which are child-led. There are also some planned activities to extend their enjoyment and experiences. Children receive adult guidance to give them extra support if needed but their independence is promoted as much as possible. The staff make sure children have fun after school and take part in a range of stimulating play. This keeps them interested and sets them challenges to aid their development. For example, children designed their own puzzles and coloured them and cut them. They feel proud when they fit the puzzle together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play together well in small groups. For example, two children played tennis. They played monopoly and snakes and ladders, counting in sequence to add up their score, they picked out the colours of different materials to make collage pictures and took part in designing their Easter bunny picture and egg competition picture. They use their imaginations and express their feelings during role play with small figures, to care for dolls or make pretend meals for their peers and the staff. Children are confident using technology. They use the computer keyboard and mouse to play educational games. Staff are attentive, they join in with play, listen and talk to the children to extend their thinking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children ran around energetically making up rules and showing each other how they could swing the bat. Children's self-esteem and confidence is fostered as they develop independence and make their own choices and decisions with the full support of the staff. Staff position themselves well and are fully involved in the children's play. For example, they join in with board games and make positive comments about the children's art and craft work.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are friendly, sociable and happy. They have opportunities to be busy and participate or relax and rest. Children's emotional and physical needs are understood by staff who allow children to sit quietly at activities, watch their favourite cartoon film or chat together. Staff value children, they listen to them and converse about many different subjects. For example, children talk about themselves, their family and friends and the wider world in a relaxed and friendly manner. They cut with scissors, complete puzzles and jigsaws and use fine paint brushes and pens for drawing. Regular use of art and craft materials encourages the children to represent their ideas and be creative.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made to feel welcome and play a full part within the club as staff value and respect their individuality. New children joining the club are helped to settle in the club by having individual attention from a buddy friend. Good policies and procedures on equal opportunity issues ensure that all children are included and equality is promoted through activities and equipment. Provision for children with learning difficulties is effectively fostered through sensitive and caring staff who work closely with parents and liaise with other professionals to ensure all children’s needs are met.

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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 Children behave well as the staff have high expectations and set consistent boundaries for the children which helps them learn to negotiate with others and take responsibility for their own behaviour. For example, children who behave well have their names written on the board in a sunny circle and if they don’t behave well their names are moved to a cloudy circle until their behaviour improves. Currently all children’s names are written in a sunny circle. The staff have a positive attitude and provide children with a well balanced view of the world around them and an awareness of diversity through activities, discussion and resources. For example, topics and themes are organised to investigate different cultural events. The Chinese New Year celebration gave the children lots of creative opportunities. Positive images of multicultural

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Helping children make a positive contribution

family groups and stories about different cultures and life styles raise children's awareness of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children feel a sense of belonging as they are familiar with the setting and routine. They independently select their own activities and have a good rapport with the staff. Children benefit greatly from the positive partnership the staff has established with the parents. Parents have access to comprehensive policies and procedures which includes the updated complaints procedure. However, the complaint procedure does not include the regulator’s correct address and contact number. The staff involve parents in day to day discussions of their children’s care and give parents opportunities to share views or concerns. Written information regarding weekly activities is displayed on the parents’ notice board together with other useful information. In addition the parents are regularly updated by the newsletters, all this impacts directly on the confidence and security of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s play opportunities are greatly enhanced by the good organisation of space and play resources. Children are happy and well-settled in the welcoming setting as they access a wide range of resources safely. This enables them to be independent and make choices about their play. A balance of child-led activities and organised play ensures children have a range of different enjoyable experiences. They benefit from attentive and friendly staff as well as regular routines which make them feels secure and relaxed.

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Organisation

Children are well protected as the club has robust procedures in place for checking that all the staff are suitable to work with children. Most of the required policies and procedures are in place to help keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. Children benefit from the staff's knowledge and experience which they continue to update with relevant training. The managers and staff members are deployed in an organised and effective manner to meet the needs of the children and to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the group. The staff work well with each other and with the parents which helps build a trusting relationship with the children. The club is committed to improving the quality of services to children which also meets parents' expectations. Overall, all children’s needs are met.

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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.

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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 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 documentation on administration of medication • ensure written complaints procedure includes the correct address and telephone number of the regulator.

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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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