Eton College

Let Us Play Scheme Inspection report for early years provision

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110158 Unique Reference Number 11 April 2007 Inspection date Heidi Wilton Inspector

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Oldbury Way, Fareham, Hampshire, PO14 3BN Setting Address

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E-mail

Let Us Play Scheme 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?

Let Us Play Scheme (LUPS) opened in 1986 and is committee managed. Operating from St Francis School in Fareham, the scheme provides holiday care for children with profound and multiple or complex needs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The scheme opens five days a week for five weeks of the year, one week at Christmas, one week at Easter and three weeks during the summer holidays only. Sessions are from 10.00 to 15.00 daily. There are 31 staff that offer one to one support working with children who attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children who independently use the toilet are encouraged and reminded to wash and dry their hands to ensure they are protected from cross infection. Many children need constant supervision and staff members are always present to oversee and help them. Children's privacy is respected and staff change children sensitively, chatting with them while they do so. Staff use robust

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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 procedures for changing nappies and clothes as they wear gloves, spray changing facilities and dispose of nappies and soiled articles. Parents are informed from the outset about the sick child policy to ensure they are well informed of incubation periods. There is always sufficient staff with first aid qualifications and the first aid officer is always present. Accident and medication books are filled out accurately to ensure children are kept safe and healthy. However, there is no written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This compromises the well-being of the children and delay in their care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have food and drink according to their own individual routines. Parents provide a 'lunch box' meal and children enjoy this social time as they laugh and chat to each other. Staff discuss the foods with the children and talk to them about healthy foods. They care for children with a one to one ratio to ensure all children's needs are met. For example, some children need help with feeding, others need to be fed and some need to eat separately to ensure the environment is not too noisy for them. Parents are consulted about allergies and dietary requirements and this is crucial as the children may try to eat something which will not agree with them. Staff know each individual child well and use the colour coded system to ensure they are aware of each child's needs, allergies and dietary requirements. Children are being taught good table manners and are encouraged to eat properly and to not take each other's

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of equipment in the outside playground. They have fun lifting the parachute up and down and enjoy swinging on the swings. The swings are easily adapted to allow children in wheelchairs to have a go. Children love to jump on the soft play equipment and enjoy being spun around in the soft play ring and laugh and scream with excitement. Children who have little movement or no control over their bodies are able to feel they have taken control by using some of the technical equipment. For example, the sound beams detect the slightest movements, such as an eye brow moving and the beam makes noises. This gives children a sense of independence and taking control over their own bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed when they arrive at the setting and are cared for by experienced and trained staff. Children are cared for in rooms according to their specific needs and have access to other areas during the day. Equipment is set up by the staff before the children arrive and is checked to ensure it is clean and well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe due to the increased ratios as there is always one adult to each child. All doors are kept secured when not in use and visitors press the buzzer at the front door and can be clearly identified. Staff discuss safety with the children but much depends on their understanding and awareness of the environment. Safety is the staffs responsibility and they remain vigilant at all times. The fire evacuation drill is displayed in every room and drills are conducted regularly with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The setting have a child protection policy in place and this is included as part of the induction process for the staff. The manager is the Child Protection Coordinator and she demonstrates a clear understanding of where to make referrals and the procedures to follow should she have a concern.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have the opportunity to use resources and equipment which has been set out by staff to meet their individual needs. All the staff know the children well and are aware of each child's needs and requirements. This ensures they provide activities for the children which are accessible, will capture their attention and maintain their concentration. Staff continue routines from home to ensure consistency with care is achieved for the children. They communicate with parents regarding likes, dislikes and anything else significant to the child's routine.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Many of the children are encouraged to explore the environment and decide what they want to do for themselves. They have opportunities to experience and move their bodies to music and enjoy clapping their hands to the rhythms. Staff encourage children by interacting alongside them. Children have fun playing games of football and staff enable children in wheelchairs to join in by pushing them around and talking to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy exploring arts and crafts as they glue and paint and have fun squeezing the corn flour and water in their hands. Children are all included with all activities, for example, the Play Dough is made with gluten free ingredients to allow all children to access it. They laugh and chuckle as they play with the water tray, squeezing small water pumps and splash the water.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond well to the staff and many listen to the instructions being given to them. Staff praise and encourage the children which in turn boosts their self esteem and confidence. Children receive consistent care at the setting and the use of positive praise and distraction methods enables them to learn right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All the children are treated with equal concern and their individuality is respected. Staff see all the children as unique and give them equal access to equipment and resources providing it is appropriate for their needs. Staff discuss with children why their peers have specific disabilities and invite siblings of the children with disabilities into the setting. The setting believe it is essential to build good relationships with the whole family to benefit the children who have the disabilities. Children attending the setting are very relaxed and happy and this is helped from the good relationship between the setting and home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The staff are experienced and trained in the care of children who need additional support. All senior and junior staff are trained and trainees learn and gain support from the experienced staff. The setting work alongside parents, outside agencies and with the schools children attend to ensure consistency for the children is achieved. The children's needs are seen as individual and routines for the day are devised around each child. Staff use specialist equipment for the children to ensure they are included and to promote their independence as far as they can.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff work with children on a one to one ratio and know their individual needs well. Children are cared for with patience, sensitivity and consistency. Children are given time out and staff use positive language and distraction techniques. They are encouraged to become calm and then are distracted into other activities. Behaviour management is discussed with parents from the outset and on a daily basis to ensure children gain consistency with behavioural management strategies.

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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 Parents are involved with the scheme and many work at the setting. Children's needs are discussed between the parents and staff from the outset and many parents trust the service which is being provided. One parent stated the setting 'is an extremely valuable respite service where parents can leave their children safe in the knowledge their children are safe and having all of their needs met no matter how complex'. Parents have access to policies and procedures daily and are told about the complaints procedure when their child starts at the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The manager is qualified and experienced and has a robust vetting procedure when employing new staff. Staff have an induction when they start with the play scheme to ensure they are well informed about policies, procedures and routines of the scheme. The children are cared for by adults who are committed to the children's needs and who build friendships with them. Staff have a clear knowledge of the children's requirements through an effective 'colour coded' system ensuring the setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

There is a lovely team ethos amongst the staff and this is evident from they way they work together. The staff illustrate they are clearly dedicated to their work and love caring for and playing with the children. Staff work closely with parents and siblings to build a relationship and to provide support.

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Organisation

Children are marked on the attendance register and all documentation is kept securely filed away. The manager shows a good understanding of the National Standards and understands her responsibility to ensure the play scheme adheres to regulations.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to development documentation including records, policies and procedures for the efficient and safe management of the provision. The setting have policies and procedures in place and ensure the lost child policy is discussed with parents at the outset to ensure they are aware of what action is taken should a child become lost. This keeps children safe. The setting now have comprehensive medication and accident records to clearly show the administering of medicines to the children and recording of accidents. This ensures children are kept safe and healthy and parents are well informed. The setting have a complaints policy detailing Ofsted's contact address. This ensures children are kept safe and parents are well informed of routes to follow should they have a concern.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • gain written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for all the children

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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

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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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