YMCA Hawker Centre Holiday Playscheme

PLAYSCHEME

Inspection report for early years provision

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PLAYSCHEME

Unique Reference Number 152887 Inspection date 01 August 2005 Inspector Christine Stimson

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PLAYSCHEME

Setting Address Lower Ham Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 5BH

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E-mail

Registered person Kingston & Wimbledon YMCA Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care, Crèche

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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 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Hawker Centre is run by the YMCA and re-opened in the year 2000. It serves people mainly in the local and surrounding areas. The centre is used by members of the public and other community groups. The centre runs a crèche and a play scheme as well as a breakfast and after school club. All children have use of an outdoor play area. The play scheme runs in the school holidays from 08.30 - 17.30 Monday to Friday. Children usually go on one outing a week.

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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 Children on roll are approximately: - 150 for the play scheme, 50 for the before and after school clubs and 40 for the crèche. All of the provisions support children with special needs. The crèche runs throughout the year from 09.30 - 12.00, Monday to Friday and is only for parents using the centre. The breakfast and after school club runs term time only from 07.45 - 09.00 and 15.00 to 18.00 . A mini bus is used to transport children to and from schools. The centre employs nine permanent members of staff to work with the children, four of whom are part-time. The centre also employs summer scheme play staff during the holiday. Staff have a variety of childcare qualifications with three staff holding level 3 childcare qualifications and another staff member close to finishing a level 3

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

qualification. Over half of the other staff hold level 2 childcare qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children play in a clean environment where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene and understand that washing their hands after visiting the toilets and before eating helps to prevent the spread of germs. A policy relating to children who are taken ill whilst at the play scheme is shared with parents, but it does not contain a statement about children being excluded who are already ill or infectious. This could put other children and staff at risk. Children's accidents are dealt with appropriately by staff who hold valid first aid qualifications. They have well stocked first aid boxes and have requested and obtained consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. However, the accident record form does not have space for parents to acknowledge they have been informed of their child's accident, which may put the child at risk. For example, if a child received a bump to the head during the day and parents were not

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Helping children to be healthy

informed, the child may develop symptoms of concussion without parents being aware of what had caused this. Staff gather all relevant information regarding diet and medical history which ensures children's individual nutritional needs are met. There are adequate storage facilities for lunchboxes and children can help themselves to drinks whenever they need one, with staff encouraging children to drink plenty, especially in the warm weather to prevent dehydration. Children enjoy a range of physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy music and movement sessions, take part in near contact sports and play team games such as rounders and football.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children benefit from playing in a spacious environment that allows them to move around and play safely. They access a good range of toys and resources appropriate for their age. Regular fire drills help children become familiar with the procedures so they learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely. Children's safety is protected by fire fighting equipment and alarms, and an evacuation procedure for the play scheme is displayed for parents to see and be reassured. Staff do not carry out regular risk assessments on the areas used by children, which compromises their safety. For example, the gate that leads to the river via the public footpath is always left open. This puts children at risk of leaving the play scheme unsupervised and straying onto the tow path that leads to the river. Children enjoy regular outings with the play scheme and there are clear procedures

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in place that ensure children's safety, with staff helping children understand how to keep themselves safe when on outings. Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and know what action to take if they have concerns about a child in their care. This ensures staff quickly recognise when a child is in danger and can act in the child's best interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, junk modelling, music, singing and dancing, role play and dressing up. Children independently choose from a range of resources that are easily accessible and provide stimulation. Some activities are adult led, but children can choose other toys, resources and activities if they do not wish to be involved with the main group. Children are interested in the activities available and spend time concentrating on self chosen activities. Staff create a stimulating environment where children's self esteem is boosted as staff display their art creations around the main hall. This shows children their work is valued and gives them a sense of belonging. Children are taken on regular outings both locally and further a field. They explore and investigate the environment, supported by worksheets that require children to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

find items of interest as part of a team challenge. Team activities encourage children to socialise and make friends. Lunch time is a very social time with children chatting happily whilst sitting at long tables, eating from their personal lunch boxes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged by staff to participate in the activities provided. This ensures children have equal opportunities to maximise their enjoyment and potential. There is a range of resources that provide children with a positive outlook on the wider world. There are good systems in place to support children with special needs. Staff are aware of how to adapt activities so that children can experience a wide range of stimulating activities appropriate for their level of ability. Children are confident within the setting and enjoy good relationships with staff and their peers. They behave well and respond to requests for good behaviour. They understand the rules within the setting and abide by them. This ensures good relationships and harmony. Staff are good role models, helping children learn the importance of showing respect to all. Partnership with parents is good. Parents provide appropriate and relevant

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Helping children make a positive contribution

information about their children to the staff. This helps ensure children receive individual care and attention.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are supported by the people in charge having level three qualifications in childcare, but the deployment of staff to cover absences in the crèche does not ensure babies and young children are cared for by suitably qualified and experienced staff. For example the three staff in the crèche on the day of inspection had been working at the provision for less than a month, and none of them held a childcare qualification. Permanent staff are encouraged to update their knowledge by attending regular childcare courses. This ensures sufficient staff have knowledge of current child care practices to support the care of the children within the play scheme. The settings policies and procedures are shared with parents who are kept well informed about the service and their child's activities. Most documentation is used effectively to ensure children are well cared for and parents wishes are respected. However, the management do not ensure that all the

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Organisation

requirements are met, for example, accident records, risk assessments, and the sick child policy. There is a good induction programme for new staff, but the recruitment procedure is inefficient, with some staff who have not been vetted by Ofsted working alongside children. This means that overall the provision does not meet the needs of the range of children who attend.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection three actions and four recommendations were made. The actions related to regulatory documentation. Children's welfare is now protected by a procedure in the child protection statement that deals with allegations made against staff. The other two actions that referred to vetting procedures for staff and accident records have still not been met, and these remain as actions for the purpose of this inspection. The four recommendations made at the last inspection were also in relation to documentation. The setting was asked to develop an induction procedure, devise an emergency evacuation procedure, make parents aware of a sick child policy, make policies and procedures available to parents and obtain a booklet relating to child protection. The manager has met all of these recommendations, although the sick child policy is still incomplete.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure accident records are acknowledged by parents • devise and implement a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious, and make sure parents are made aware of it • ensure regular risk assessments are conducted on areas of the premises used by children, such as the gate leading to the river, and ensure an action plan with time scales identifies any action to be taken • ensure that there are effective procedures in place for checking that staff are suitable to work with children • develop and implement an action plan detailing how suitable staff will be deployed to cover staff absences in the creche.

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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 These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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