Acton Gardens Primary School

Coalway Kids Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Coalway Kids Club

101867 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2007 Inspection date Angela Cole Inspector

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Coalway Kids Club

Coalway Infants School, Coalway, Coleford,, Gloucestershire, GL16 7HL Setting Address

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E-mail

Coalway Kids Club Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, Sessional care, 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?

Coalway Kids Club opened in 1996. It operates from a portacabin in the grounds of Coalway Community Infant School in a residential area of Coleford in the Forest of Dean. Children also use the school hall, the adjacent outdoor play areas and the school playing fields. The club is registered for a maximum of 22 children in the portacabin and an additional 32 children when using the hall. The group is open five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 08.00 until 09.00 before school and from 15.00 until 17.30 after school. During school holidays, the club is open from 08.30 until 17.30.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children from the age of four to 11 years of age attend the club. There are currently 30 children aged from four to under eight years on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions and come from the local community. The setting currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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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 club employs six permanent members of staff who all hold appropriate playwork or learning support qualifications. Two holiday staff are working towards teaching status. The club has achieved the 'Flying High' Quality Assurance Award with merit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities for fresh air and exercise. All year round, they play ball games on the field and use equipment in the garden such as a trampoline. They negotiate the school 'trim trail' when the ground is dry. They have effective opportunities for indoor, physical games in the hall and playroom where they use a games table and jump to throw soft toys into a ceiling net. Children are well challenged to develop their small-muscle skills at the wide range of crafts available and in fun games such as testing their reflex reactions to catch a dropped card. Children develop good self-care skills as they take care of belongings and organise their own activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from care in the warm premises that staff ensure are clean before each session. They gain a good sense of personal hygiene and wash their hands after toileting and before eating without being asked. There is good continuity of care regarding medication as parents give all required written consents. Families are always informed about any accidents and most records are signed. Sick children are effectively cared for as staff follow detailed written procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children well understand the importance of regular intake of fluids as they discuss the value of drinking water and pour their own freely available fruit juices. They serve themselves from the wide range of healthy foods offered for breakfast and after-school snacks. During the holidays, they bring packed lunches and have regard to information about storage faculties. They learn about healthy cooking and benefit from good consistency with home care regarding their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in safe and suitable premises. The self-contained unit is for the sole use of the club so equipment is set out and all areas are checked daily. Children play in highly secure premises and have direct access to the enclosed garden. Activities on the school field are well supervised by staff so children are safe. The club is very well equipped with a vast choice of age-appropriate, high-quality resources. These are easily accessible and stored at the children's level. Well-used resources are supplemented by items that children request, such as the newly-carpeted home area with attractive bookshelves, storage baskets and matching screen. Children are proud of the new look in the room and treat the items with care so these remain in good, safe condition. Staff keep a 'faults' book as any defective equipment is immediately discarded or mended for the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young children are supervised on the school site by staff who are well aware of potential hazards and ensure excellent security. Children arrive and depart safely as adults have a good view of

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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 who is arriving and only release children to known persons. The children gain a good sense of how to keep themselves safe. For example, they all practise fire drills and consider a wide range of hazards such as road safety to create posters. They learn to use tools safely including those for woodworking and cooking. They begin to learn to look after themselves when they, briefly, go off in pairs inside an amusement building during a holiday club outing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff safeguard and promote children’s welfare and have all the required procedures and documents in place. For example, the staff have attended relevant child protection and first aid training to develop their understanding of how to protect children. They are familiar with local procedures to take appropriate action in the event of any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their play as they come in happily and settle immediately to their own choice of activity. The club runs to a known routine so children make the most of the time available. They can be active or involved in quieter play as they wish. Their care needs are well met within the routine as, for example, snacks are served from the cafeteria so children come when they feel hungry. The caring staff are actively interested in the children and their play. They are highly attentive to children's needs or requests and respond with enthusiasm to make the club an attractive place to be.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A children's committee meets each month to make suggestions that staff incorporate into the planning. Children have free choice on three school days with planned crafts and 'surprise' cookery organised during the remaining sessions. Within this framework, children are effectively encouraged to organise their own play, such as access to the playstation. During the holidays, staff offer activities around a weekly theme so children benefit from varied days. Children are encouraged to record their feedback about the activities and the varied outings so these can be improved further.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy the broad range of activities and effectively develop their use of language in relaxed conversation with adults and each other. They access a good range of books, magazines and leaflets which sometimes include word searches. Children develop their mathematical thinking as they solve practical problems, for example, connected with their games and 'school' role-play. They frequently use their imagination in art, craft and construction using a wide range of materials. They make good sense of their environment as they set up a huge display of world news items that are changed weekly as children choose some to take home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and enjoy their time at the club as they relax and feel completely at home in the calm atmosphere. They relate very well to the staff who know them as individuals and provide as wide a choice as possible. This means that children interact confidently to share home events and personal feelings. Staff deal sensitively with these and many are posted on the club's New Year 'hopes and wishes' board. Children from varied backgrounds are fully

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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 included in the life of the club as, for example, holiday outings are arranged on different days so many are able to join in the fun. Children's self-esteem is highly fostered and staff explore ingenious ways to involve and support them. For example, children are delighted when their captioned entries into national 'community competitions' are included in published books such as 'Me and my family'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children interact very well and always care for each other, including those younger than themselves. This is effectively supported by the staff who treat the children and each other with respect. The children are well behaved and follow the clearly displayed rules they have devised. They respond positively as staff explain reasons for good behaviour and give frequent praise with badges for good thinking and concentration. Children with additional needs receive excellent support. The building is fully adapted for persons using wheelchairs and staff realistically assess with their parents and teachers whether the club can fulfil the children's needs. The children are fully integrated into the life of the club as staff work in close liaison with them, their parents and other agencies, including one-to-one helpers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from the excellent relationship that staff foster with their families. Parents are kept fully informed about the club and there is excellent sharing of information about the children and their activities. Parents say they are ecstatic with the care their children receive and commend the staff as 'caring and approachable'. They say that staff know the children's measure exactly and offer a high level of support for family circumstances. They feel staff have 'got it just right'.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are well cared for by staff who have high levels of relevant skills and ability. The joint leaders are deeply experienced in playwork and well qualified through recent training. Staff are committed to their own professional development in order to further improve the provision for the children's welfare. A detailed training programme is implemented, including an up-dating course for the person-in-charge. There are robust systems for appointing and vetting new staff and good procedures to ensure their continuing suitability. Children are never left under the sole charge of persons who are not vetted.

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Organisation

The documentation for the club is particularly well maintained. Procedures are updated as and when required, including the shortened set of policies which is displayed for parents. The times of attendance of children, visitors and staff are accurately recorded. Their personal details are securely stored and accessible in the locked office and staff have a high regard for confidentiality. Documents are regularly shared with parents as, for example, registration forms are kept up-to-date and a vast amount of information is clearly displayed in the entrance and on the playroom walls.

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Organisation

The club's operational plan is highly detailed and includes the children's suggestions. Good use is made of space as every floor and wall area is thoughtfully covered with interesting display or resources. Each area is well used by children, including the quiet room for playstations, role play and reading area with interesting resources such as children's magazines. Very good use is made of staff support and children relate well to them all. Children benefit from the

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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 complimenting personalities and high commitment of the joint leaders. Assistant staff are well involved and have their own responsibilities such as the crafts or 'cafeteria'. Children's well-being is fully supported as they take increasing responsibility for organising their own activities and group themselves to support each other and relax together. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection recommended that the setting extended the policy for protecting children and improved procedures for registration, recording children's personal details and for informing parents about food storage facilities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The group has amended its policy on child protection to include the steps to follow if an allegation were ever made against a member of staff. This has improved the setting's procedures to ensure that children are safe. Children’s times of attendance and their dates of birth are now accurately recorded so the organisation of children's care is improved. Parents are regularly given information about the club's facilities to store food, particularly during the holiday club sessions, so that children's dietary needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 1 2004, 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

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): • make sure parents sign records of accidents.

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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 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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