Play 4 Ages

Play 4 Ages Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343827 Unique Reference Number 01 May 2007 Inspection date Stephanie Graves Inspector

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Sevenoaks Cp School, Bradbourne Park Road, SEVENOAKS, Kent, TN13 3LB

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E-mail

Play 4 ages LTD 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?

Play 4 Ages is owned and managed by Play 4 Ages Limited. The provision opened in 2007 and operates from a dining hall within Sevenoaks Primary School, in Sevenoaks, Kent. A maximum of 34 children may attend the setting at any one time. The setting is open each weekday from 15.15 to 18.00 during term time only. All children share access to an outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 20 children aged from four to under eight years on roll. The group also welcome children over the age of eight years. Children currently come from the school. The setting currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group employs two members of staff. Both hold appropriate play work qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children actively take part in a wide range of experiences, which promote their knowledge and understanding of good hygiene. For example, they understand the importance of washing their

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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 hands and readily use antibacterial hand gel before helping themselves to food 'to make sure their hands are clean'. They wear disposable gloves and aprons during food activities. Staff use appropriate cleaning solutions to make sure surfaces are hygienically clean and provide disposable plates and cups for the children when they are eating and drinking. This systematic practice helps to greatly reduce the risk of cross infection and ensures children develop an exceptional understanding of good hygiene concepts. Children benefit from the required procedures which ensure they are taken care of if they have an accident or become ill. For example, accidents are well recorded, in chronological order and children do not attend the setting if they have an infectious illness. Children's physical development and sense of wellbeing

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Helping children to be healthy

is consistently promoted. They are provided with a range of highly energetic activities, including outdoor games, such as 'tag' or 'basket ball', but can also rest on padded cushions or take part in more relaxing activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to drinks at all times and know they can help themselves. This helps to ensure they do not become dehydrated. They eagerly look at a displayed menu for tea to see what is on offer. Healthy options are provided, including wraps, cheese and biscuits, nachos, yoghurt and a variety of freely available fruit. Children help to prepare their own tea, for example, by independently selecting what they would like and sprinkling cheese on nachos. Staff hold food hygiene certificates, which helps to ensure food is properly prepared and served. Children enjoy talking about their favourite foods and socialise together at the table. Posters and well planned activities help to reinforce healthy eating. Children's dietary requirements are respected because staff work with parents to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for and supervised closely within a safe and welcoming environment. Older children know where to wait for collection after school and younger children are taken to the setting by school staff. There is plenty of space for children to move around and access the experiences available within safe boundaries. Potential hazards are identified through daily risk assessments and although effective action is taken to reduce risks, this has not been recorded clearly. Toys and resources are new, although they are checked regularly to ensure they are safe and suitable. The equipment provided helps to promote an accessible and stimulating environment. For example, storage units containing well labelled toys and resources can be accessed safely. Children learn how to help keep themselves safe through effective staff explanations. Subsequently, they can relay messages to other children, such as, how to carry

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

scissors safely 'in case you bang into somebody and poke them with the point'. This helps children to become aware of keeping others safe, as well as themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well cared for because effective procedures promote their welfare and safety at all times. For instance, staff apply effective measures to help safeguard children. These include recording existing injuries, incidents or concerns and by ensuring children are never left alone with unvetted adults. Staff have received training and the provider keeps them up to date with requirements. The written procedure for safeguarding children is based on current requirements and a range of information is readily available.

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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 outstanding. Children enter the setting eagerly and settle extremely quickly. They continually demonstrate very high levels of well being and involvement. This is because the emphasis is very much on them being able to freely access and enjoy an extensive range of free play opportunities after their school day. Children play purposefully and thoroughly enjoy spending time together, relaxing whenever they want to and creating their own experiences. They have extremely good relationships with dedicated staff who are highly active in offering them a variety of well-planned, creative activities. Children find the experiences on offer exciting and stimulating and can access many well labelled resources. Some children prefer time by themselves, for example, playing with magnets, or potting balls on a pool table, while others delight in a game of table tennis with a friend. They thrive on opportunities, such as, painting marzipan flowers

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with food dye and concentrate meticulously to ensure this is applied carefully. Children explore outside, searching for twigs to make their own May poles using different coloured crepe paper ribbons, which they twist around the bark.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children imaginatively recreate real life scenarios, such as dressing baby dolls, through role play. They are self-motivated with tasks, including re-arranging a train track to make sure the carriages can go backwards as well as forwards under a bridge. Children talk about their favourite activities, which currently include 'trains' and 'playing with everything'. Staff are completely supportive and spend the vast majority of their time meeting the children's play needs. They talk to them and actively take part in games and activities. Effective questioning encourages the children to communicate about what they are doing, for instance as they plant seeds outside. They are not afraid to ask for what they want and can be heard to ask 'please can I open the packet?' as they prepare to sprinkle the seeds into pots. Children show consistent levels of curiosity and interest during outdoor pursuits, for example, they are innovative as they try to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

piece large construction components together to make cubes. Staff offer plenty of support as they encourage them to complete the task. Children thrive on the range of experiences and opportunities available and their emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities are exceptionally well promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed equally into the setting and cared for according to their individual needs. They are encouraged to make independent choices and all children share equal access to the play environment. Toys and resources promote positive images of diversity and include musical instruments and dolls. Children with learning difficulties are well supported by staff who work with their parents and the school to ensure their needs are met. Children are friendly and well behaved. They are involved in decision making and have actively contributed to a list of club rules, which include, taking turns, no bullying, 'don't be rude' and 'try to cheer other people up’. This helps to promote their sense of responsibility and encourages them to treat others with respect. Staff are good role models and manage children's behaviour in a way that promotes their welfare. They are heard to praise children's achievements and good behaviour regularly,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

which helps to develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from consistency of care because staff work very closely with parents to ensure their needs are addressed. The provider takes positive steps to ensure that parents are kept well informed about all relevant policies and procedures and a comprehensive range of information is attractively set out for parents every day.

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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. Children flourish within a very well organised environment. They are settled and comfortable and feel secure and at ease with dedicated staff and their surroundings. They eagerly access a wide range of play opportunities and do so independently. Systems ensure the adults working with children are suitable to do so and staff are well qualified. The registration certificate is displayed and the records of attendance show clear arrival and departure times for children and staff. A comprehensive range of documentation and records are in place and made available to parents. Although action taken to reduce risks has not been clearly recorded on the daily risk assessment, children are well supervised at all times. Children's welfare, care and learning are promoted, due to the policies and procedures, which underpin very good practice. The group provides a professional service. As a result, the needs of all the children attending are

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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): • continue to develop the daily risk assessment by clearly recording any action taken to reduce risks.

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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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