Funzone

Funzone Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY344365 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2007 Inspection date Susan Ennis Inspector

p.1

Letchworth Garden City Community Project, Mrs Howard Memorial Hall, Norton Way South, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 1NX

p.1

Setting Address

07870 168308 Telephone number chatty_kathy1@hotmail.com E-mail Funzone Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Funzone is one of two out of school clubs run by a private organisation. It opened at it's current premises in 2006 and operates from one main room within a community hall in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. A maximum of 32 children may attend the club at any one time. It is open each weekday during term-time from 07:45 to 09:00 for breakfast club, 15:15 to 18:00 for out of school care and from 07:45 to 18:00 during school holidays. A small outdoor area is currently available for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 34 children aged from three to 11 years on roll. Children come from within the local and wider catchment area. The club currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and can support children who speak English as an additional language.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club employs five staff, three of whom, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications and one of whom is working towards an early years qualification.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health and welfare is generally promoted as staff have a sound knowledge of the setting's health and hygiene policies and procedures. Staff wipe tables with antibacterial cleaner before snack and check that areas that the children use are clean and suitable for use. A written 'Health, Illness and Emergency Policy' reduces the risk of cross-infection protecting the children's health further. Accidents are correctly recorded and permission to seek emergency medical treatment is in place. However, as staff at the club do not hold appropriate and current First Aid certificates, children's health and safety is compromised. Children are learning about their own personal health and hygiene as they are generally encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They also discuss themes such as 'Sun Safety' increasing their knowledge of sun awareness.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is actively promoted. As well as the walk to and from school they enjoy playing in the park on the slide and swings or playing football and baseball developing their coordination and spatial awareness. During inclement weather the hall is cleared and children participate in team games and activities, the current favourite being pulled along the floor on a blanket.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished being offered healthy snacks that promote their growth and development. They enjoy home-made cookies and fruit on arrival at the club and a choice of tea foods including pasta with tuna, beans on toast and cheese with biscuits. Children's independence is generally developed as they are encouraged to help themselves to drinks as they want them. All children's individual dietary requirements are fully discussed with parents and recorded for future reference. A list of particular likes and dislikes is displayed in the kitchen area ensuring all staff are fully informed and therefore protecting the children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in bright and welcoming environment. Partitions are decorated with their art work and ladybird-shaped rugs and floor cushions make the area more inviting. Children's safety is effectively promoted as staff have a good understanding of the hazards and the steps to take to minimise them. Staff carry out daily risk assessments signing off the areas covered on a check list. Children's security is given a high priority as staff carry identification badges to show teachers when collecting children from school and the main entrance to the hall is double locked with staff being alerted to a visitor's arrival by the ringing of the door bell. On leaving the club, all parents and visitors are accompanied to the door where it is relocked ensuring the children's safety once more. Written policies regarding uncollected and missing children ensure that all staff and parents are fully aware of the procedures to be followed if

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning about keeping themselves safe as they, for example, regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedure increasing their understanding of fire safety. They are given gentle reminders by staff about the rules and boundaries of the club, for example, they are asked not to lean on the partitions in case one falls on them and to use the steps provided for climbing off the stage rather than jumping off and potentially injuring themselves. Also

p.3

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 themes about 'Staying Safe' increase their understanding further. Children use suitable and safe equipment as it is regularly checked by staff with any breakages disposed of.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is securely promoted as staff have a clear understanding of child protection issues, most having attended some training. All the required policies and procedures are in place, however, as they are not written based on the procedures laid out in Local Safeguarding Children Board publications, there could be a delay in the reporting of concerns should they arise.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and enjoy their time at the club. They are confident in their relationships with staff and happy to participate in the play opportunities offered. Children are able to relax and enjoy their time at the setting as there is a clear recognition that this an out of school club with emphasis very much on having fun. Children also make decisions for themselves as detailed in the 'Involving and Consulting Children Policy' where it states 'Children's opinions should be taken into account in anything that affects them.'

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children can participate in the activities as staff encourage them in taking turns and sharing. When wanting to take a turn with the Playstation, children add their name to a list and patiently wait their turn. They also confidently negotiate who takes the first turn when playing Pool. Staff use their good child-care knowledge to adapt resources and activities meeting the children's individual needs as they do so. For example, when a child uses left-handed scissors, staff suggest they use a right-handed pair making it easier for them to cut their paper. Younger children are also supported in their play, for example, by staff helping them with the Playstation controls.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered appropriate challenge and stimulation through the wide range of activities and resources provided. Medium-term themes including those about 'Fairy Tales' and 'Under the Sea' actively encourage children's interest and further development. The daily routine enhances children's own choices providing both free-play resources and adult-initiated activities. They enjoy drawing on the white board with marker pens, playing pool, reading books and using musical instruments such as drums. Their imagination skills are developing through role play scenarios, for example, four children play schools and teachers writing on an easel 'Today we are doing maths'. Children respond positively to staff chatting to them about their day and their past experiences at the club, describing the Christmas cards that they made and the fun they had at the end of year Christmas party.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected by the staff who ensure that their specific individual needs are well documented and met. The staff offer sensitive support ensuring that all have access to and enjoy the resources. Children are starting to become aware of the needs of others, for example, saving a cookie for their friend who arrives later than most at the club. Children's sense of belonging is very much encouraged and developed. A group discussion about their rights leads to a 'Rights and Responsibilities Tree' being designed and displayed with suggestions from the children including 'I have the right to be treated equally' and 'I have the right to be offered the same amount of biscuits as everyone else.' Children also contribute jokes and points of interest to the newsletter making them feel fully involved with the club.

p.4

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's behaviour is good and they are confident within the setting. The staff have an effective understanding of the importance of setting consistent and appropriate boundaries for all children reinforced by the age-appropriate strategies in place. When children momentarily forget their manners and burp they are sensitively reminded by the member of staff saying 'Excuse me' to which they immediately reply 'Sorry'. Children are learning to take responsibility for their actions. For example, they have devised their own set of club rules which they remind each other of regularly. The rules include 'We only play with balls outside' and 'We are kind to each other and use polite language'. Positive behaviour is reinforced with praise and encouragement. All children have a star chart for which they receive a sticker when, for example,

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

they are kind to someone else or work really hard on an activity.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's understanding of other cultures and ways of life is actively promoted through the inclusive ethos of the club as comprehensively detailed in the written 'Equal Opportunities Policy'. Children's understanding of the wider community is positively developed through resources such as dolls from different countries, books, puzzles and play figures. Themes such as 'Refugee Week' encourage children to think of others in difficult situations and celebrations of festivals like Chinese New Year increase their understanding of the world around them. Some staff have experience in caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities enabling them to positively care for all children.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's needs are effectively documented and their welfare promoted because of the staff's positive relationship with parents. Parents receive an information leaflet about the club, a newsletter and access to the parents' notice board. They are also able to discuss any concerns or worries they may have as staff make themselves fully available. However, the 'Complaint' Procedure' is not made readily available to them and this could lead to a misunderstanding between the setting and parents and have an unsettling effect on the children.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, children's needs are met. They are able to feel relaxed and comfortable in a suitably planned environment. Their play opportunities are enhanced by the effective organisation of space, staff and resources. The Manager regularly evaluates the setting through Leadership and Management Audits and S.W.O.T. analysis looking at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the Club, recording action plans for improvement. Children's care and safety are generally promoted through the practical implementation of the settings policies and procedures. However, staff do not hold current First Aid certificates.

p.5

Organisation

Children benefit from a suitably organised time table. All sessions are clearly planned and children are given sufficient time enabling all to enjoy experiencing the different activities provided whilst developing their skills and confidence. Children's safety is securely promoted through solid staff recruitment procedures ensuring that all staff are suitable and that they have the appropriate skills and knowledge providing a stimulating and fun environment for the children.

p.5

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

p.5

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.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 that the Child Protection Procedure is written with reference to the Local Safeguarding Children Board • ensure that the Complaints Procedure is made more readily accessible to parents • ensure that there is at least one member of staff with a current first aid training certificate on the premises at any one time and that the first aid qualification includes training in first aid for infants and children which is consistent with any guidance issued to local authorities by the Secretary of State.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6