Contact A Family Play Activities

Contact A Family Play Activities Inspection report for early years provision

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EY337131 Unique Reference Number 26 July 2007 Inspection date Glenda Sinclair Inspector

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Heart Of The Forest Community Special School, Speech House Road, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 7EJ

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E-mail

The Trustees of Forest of Dean Contact a Family Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care 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?

The Forest of Dean Contact a Family first registered in other premises in 2004. It provides a variety of out of school play and social activities at the Heart of the Forest Community Special School, close to Speech House, Cinderford and Coleford. It provides a play scheme through part of most school holidays, daily from 10.00 to 16.00. The group, which is a registered charity and committee run, offers places to children and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, as well as their siblings. It is registered to take up to 20 children from four to eight years and currently has 20 children under 8 on roll, all attending for a variety of sessions. It also caters for young people up to the age of 19 years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have ample opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They have direct access to outside play areas from each classroom and they go swimming every week. Many children require medication and some of the permanent staff have specialist training in the administration of medicines, which are stored securely in order to protect children. Staff ensure that all necessary

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 medical information is in place before children start at the play scheme. This enables them to care for the children appropriately. Policies are in place to make sure that a reasonable standard of hygiene is maintained. However, children are not always reminded to wash their hands before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

The play scheme provides a simple snack of biscuits and water or squash. Parents provide lunch boxes and are aware that there is no possibility of providing refrigeration. Staff receive training in specialist feeding methods. Good attention is paid to children's allergies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The play scheme is held in a new purpose built special needs school. It is bright clean and very child-friendly. Outside play areas are totally enclosed to keep children safe and some have sheltered areas so that children can play safely in moderate rain and sunshine. The school is responsible for ongoing cleaning and maintenance. Toys and equipment are clean and in good condition. They pose no risk to children's safety. Specialist lifting equipment is available to ensure that children's personal care is dealt with safely. Risk assessments are prepared before each holiday and these cover areas such as the administration of medication, use of hoists, lifting and swimming. The vehicles used to transport the children belong to the charity and are checked regularly to ensure that they are safe for use. Fire drills are held frequently throughout the holiday and all necessary fire safety equipment is in place. The outer door is kept locked

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

during the sessions to ensure that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Appropriate child protection policies are in place and staff have a sound knowledge of the signs and indicators of abuse. They are also aware of the procedure to follow if concerns are raised about any member of staff or if they have concerns about the safety or welfare of any child in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of enjoyable activities throughout the holiday. Almost every child has a volunteer or staff member allocated to be with them on a one-to-one basis, at each session, so that they can participate fully. They have weekly trips to a local leisure centre for a swimming session. They have opportunities to make music at their own level with visiting music therapists. Visitors come in to offer extra activities such as the chance to explore a fire engine with the local fire officers and a story telling session with a librarian. Many craft activities are on offer to the children. These range from tie dying, making wall hangings and mobiles. Children have access to a sensory room, which provides a variety of stimuli to their senses, as well as the opportunity to relax. Children enjoy the sociable atmosphere and older children mix well with younger ones. Lunch time provides a valuable

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The staff are aware of each child's individual needs and the one-to-one system allows them to provide the necessary special attention so that every child is able to gain from the play experience. The play scheme provides well for a wide range of disabilities from severe epilepsy

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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 to autism. Although the play scheme welcomes siblings, few are currently taking advantage of the offer. Staff use praise and encouragement to reward good behaviour and distraction is used, when possible, to redirect children to more acceptable activities. There is a good partnership with parents. Children with communication difficulties take home a daily sheet to inform their parents of how they have been during the day and what sort of activities they have enjoyed. There is ongoing communication between staff and parents to ensure that all special requirements are met. At the end of the holiday, staff give parents a brief evaluation questionnaire to enable them to continue to develop the provision they offer to the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The play scheme meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. Staff and volunteers complete an induction session before the play scheme starts. They are provided with sufficient information about the children they are caring for to enable them to do the job sensitively. The high ratio of adults to children enables the group to give a good standard of care and resources are organised well, so that children can play happily and safely. The register records the actual times of children's arrival and departure and accident and medication records are in place to protect children. All necessary parental permissions are in place. Policies are up-to-date and appropriate. However, the play scheme is not displaying the poster, which gives parents information on how to contact the regulator if they wish to comment on the play scheme.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this was the first inspection since registration.

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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

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): • display a poster to ensure that parents have access to Ofsted's contact details.

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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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