Kingshill Infant School

Kingshill Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Kingshill Infant School

EY336662 Unique Reference Number 03 March 2007 Inspection date Paula Durrant Inspector

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Kingshill Infant School

Kingshill Infant School, Heath Drive, WARE, Hertfordshire, SG12 0RL Setting Address

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Kingshill Infant School

01920 465349 Telephone number admin@kingshill.herts.sch.uk E-mail Children's Integrated Playschemes (CHIPS) Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Sessional care Type of care

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Kingshill Infant School

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?

Kingshill Infant school in Ware is the location for CHIPS Saturday Club. This is one of five Out of School Clubs run by CHIPS for children with specified learning disabilities. It originally opened in 2000 and recently moved to Kingshill Infants School. Areas children have access to include the hall and dining room and toilet facilities. They also have access to an enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of 24 children under eight years may attend the setting at any one time. The Out of School Club is open three out of four Saturdays in a month. Dates are variable. Sessions run from 14:00 to 16:30, term time only. There are currently 14 children aged from three to under eight years on roll. Children in attendance are from a wide catchment area within East Hertfordshire. This is primarily due to the fact that the Out of School Club provides respite for families of children with learning disabilities and their siblings. The Out of School Club employs ten staff, with six or seven attending each session, along with additional volunteers. The manager

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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 and three of the staff hold an appropriate early years qualification, two other members of staff are working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health care needs are of paramount importance in this unique provision. Due to the high vulnerability of the attending client group, staff are exceptionally vigilant in ensuring promotion of high levels of hygiene and rigorous adherence to sickness protocol. A vast majority of staff are first aid trained. Senior staff take lead responsibility in always managing or overseeing any application of emergency medical intervention or medication administered. This is exceptionally good practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are guided in developing awareness of good personal hygiene needs as they adhere to the daily routine and the direction of their one to one support worker. Those that are able, wash their hands in the toilet area whilst less able children are provided with wet wipes. This ensures children develop an understanding of cleaning away germs at such times as prior to eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a healthy snack mid-session of fresh fruit. Staff refer to their registration checklist to ensure dietary needs are adhered to. Children stay well-hydrated as drinking water is accessible at all times. Supplementary drinks are also made available at set breaks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The group ensures children are provided with a range of physical activities within their recreational programme. This includes group games such as the parachute where children are aided by their support worker to take turns in wafting the material up and down to create a tunnel for others to move under. Children also have access, weather permitting to an outside play area. There are ample resources for children such as bikes, scooters, balls and static climbing apparatus. Children enjoy the freedom of this area to experiment and practice their mobility and coordination skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Although the session is short in duration, some children do get tired. Provision of mats and soft furnishings ensures children can take time out whenever they need. Staff are respectful of children's needs, ensuring that they are placed in a safe adapted play space. They remain overseen by their support worker for the duration of their rest so that they are not disturbed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is high priority in this well-organised and maintained premises. All necessary safety measures are in place. Access to the provision is monitored. Visitors sign in and doors are secured following the end of registration. These remain locked until children depart. Late arrivals gain entry through the use of a door bell system. Vigorous risk assessments and frequent physical checks of the environment, activities and resources ensure children's total well-being.

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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 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 potential risk to children. Supervision is exceptional. Children receive high levels of support due to their individual needs. Most have a one to one worker.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a sufficient range of age-appropriate resources. These are checked periodically to ensure they remain safe. Children learn to keep themselves safe as they are guided by staff. For example, children are encouraged to remain seated when eating their snack. Children's welfare is promoted as staff have a strong working knowledge of child protection. Although written procedures are comprehensive in detail, such as including reference to managing intimate care, the child protection policy does not refer to a procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a staff member. Senior staff are able to verbally clarify the action they would intend to take which is compliant with the underpinning criteria of the National Standards. However, this is not supported in their written documentation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in this group. They have sound relationships with the staff and their peers. They appreciate the variance of recreational play opportunities both on site and off. For example, children enjoy accessing a choice of age-appropriate equipment in addition to planned trips away from the main site. Staff are highly receptive to children's preferences and to their level, age and stage of development. They provide plentiful opportunities for children to make independent choices in addition to supplying favourite specialised play equipment for those children who do not initiate their own play. Although staff plan some aspects of the session such as team games, children do not always desire to contribute to the intended activity. Staff are highly respectful of this allowing children the opportunity to govern their own play. High staff ratios supports the extension and purpose of play. For example, although a child showed

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

interest in a book this was primarily to flick the pages back and forth. Staff skilfully intervened showing interest at the objects on the pages through verbal and non-verbal communication. Children responded to the enthusiasm of the adult slowing down their actions as they too looked at the Ladybird on the green leaf.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's needs take high priority in this well managed provision. Careful preparation and planning of suitable activities and events ensures children are able to actively contribute to the scheme. Children make independent choices either verbally or non verbally through the use of pictorial symbols or signing. Good relationships with parents and carers ensures a positive exchange of information in order to maintain children's intimate care needs. Most children are known to the staff through regular attendance of the provision. Children respect the boundaries and adhere to the appropriate codes of conduct. Behaviour is exemplary. Although the group have in place a system for managing parental complaints this is currently limited in detail. For example, it does not reference the national standard in which the concern links to or provide a structure for correlating the outcome.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Vigorous recruitment procedures ensures selection of a highly skilled and intuitive work force who have a sound awareness of children with defined needs. Staff are exceptionally enthusiastic and responsive to the children in their care. They take time to speak with parents and carers in order to formulate appropriate individual care plans so that each child's needs are met and maximised. The group have in place cohesive working procedures. These underpin and support staff's working practice. Although a vast majority of documentation is compliant with the national standards some minor omissions are currently in place. For example, there is no written guidance should an allegation of child protection be made against a staff member. Although there is a complaints process in place it is limited in detail. For example, it does not reference the standard the concern links with and there is no structure to correlate the outcome. Senior

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Organisation

staff are exceptionally sound in their understanding of the national standards requirements as they are able to verbally confirm the action they would take, however further review of working procedures will ensure clear clarification for all staff. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

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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.

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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): • ensure periodic review of written documentation so that systems remain compliant with current legislative guidance, this refers to the child protection policy giving reference to allegations made against staff and the complaints policy giving reference to the standard a complaint links with and a structure for correlating the outcome.

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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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