Kids Hangout @ Parish

Parish Church School Kids Club Inspection report for early years provision

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253659 Unique Reference Number 31 July 2007 Inspection date Susan Hoult Inspector

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Parish Church School, Acland Street, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 2SU

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E-mail

Parish Church School Kids Club Committee 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?

Parish Church School Kids Club has been registered since 1997 and is run by a voluntary management committee. The kids club operates from classrooms and the hall within Parish Church School. It is situated close to the town centre of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire and serves the local community. The kids club is registered to provide out of school care for a maximum of 32 children aged three to under eight years. Older children also attend the club. At present there are 170 children on roll aged four to 11 years, of these, 80 are aged under eight years. Sessions run from 07:45 to 08:45 and from 15:30 to 18:00 during term time and 08:30 to 18:00 during school holidays. The kids club supports children who speak English as an additional language and those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The kids club has 14 staff who work with the children either in term time, holidays or both. Of these eight hold a relevant qualification and two are working towards a qualification. The kids club receives support from Children's Links.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Staff promote children's health well. They follow effective routines to make sure the premises are kept clean and encourage children to develop and maintain good personal hygiene habits. Staff ensure parents know which illnesses will prevent children from attending to help prevent the spread of infection. The first aid box is kept up to date and is easily accessible. There is always at least one member of staff present who has a current first aid certificate so that any accidents are dealt with effectively. Staff access suitable training as necessary to administer any specialised medication. However, there is not always written permission on the premises for the staff to administer medicine sent in by parents which may impact on children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular fresh air and physical activities in the school grounds when the weather is suitable. When the weather is inclement, children use the school hall for large physical play. Children enjoy a wide range of activities that help develop their large muscle skills, body control and hand to eye co-ordination. For example, children have great fun playing football, tennis, table tennis, using large sit-in spinning tops, the large netted trampoline, riding bikes and scooters, using skateboards and running around together in the large playground. Inside, two children have great fun using dance mats linked to a video. In the holidays, when the weather is dry and warm enough many activities usually used inside are taken outside. For instance, children choose to colour, play with sand and water, board games, a giant four-in–a-line game, table football and make a den using material laid over wooden playground equipment. Children

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Helping children to be healthy

are able to rest as they wish in the comfortable book area on cushions and pillows.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff and parents share information to meet children’s dietary and health needs effectively. Staff ensure that any allergies a child may have are recorded and are taken into account fully when organising activities. Children gain a good understanding of healthy eating through activities, discussion and the breakfasts and snacks provided. For instance, children attending breakfast club choose from a selection of cereals, toast and fruit. Snacks comprise mainly of fruit, toast and occasionally plain biscuits. Water and fruit are available for children to help themselves to throughout sessions to ensure that they do not become thirsty or hungry.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where there are effective procedures in place to prevent unauthorised access to the setting. Parents ring a bell to alert staff to their presence. Whilst decorating work is being done during school holidays staff are extra vigilant to ensure children are not left unsupervised. The risk of accidental injury to children is minimised through staff's conscientious checking routines and the use of risk assessments. Children use a wide range of clean, stimulating and developmentally-appropriate toys and equipment that capture their interest. Daily routines, regular fire drills and staff adeptly reinforcing safe practices, such as reminding a child not to play with a ball on the trampoline in case they hurt themselves, help support children's understanding of taking responsibility for their own safety. The inside and outside areas are laid out well to encourage choice whilst maintaining safe play

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

areas. Wooden play equipment in the playground is set on impact absorbing surfaces and the pond is securely fenced.

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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 Staff actively safeguard children because they have a good understanding of child protection procedures and know how to put these into place should they have concerns about the welfare of a child in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy meeting with old and new friends in a welcoming environment where staff create a calm, friendly atmosphere where children can enjoy active play and relaxation. Children are happy, confident and enthusiastically join in a wide variety of pursuits. The staff plan activities to capture children's interest and enable them to develop their skills and learning. These plans are flexible so that children’s ideas and wishes are also considered. For example, a group of children recently decided that it would be fun to have tournaments during the holidays. These now run twice a day with prizes, donated by local businesses, awarded to the winners. Children are involved in choosing themes for the home corner and contribute towards them, for instance bringing in brochures for the ‘travel agents’.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children positively gain from being able to organise their own time and are proud of their achievements. For example, a child chooses to make a birthday card from an assortment of craft items such as glitter, coloured buttons, different textured coloured paper, foil and foam shapes. A group of children then use the resources to make decorative masks which they attach to sticks. One child is excited when they find a young frog on the grass near the enclosed pond and discusses the life cycle of frogs with a member of staff. The staff support the children well participating in, and extending, play as appropriate whilst recognising that at times children like to enjoy their leisure time together without adult involvement. Meal and snack times are social occasions where children sit together and chat happily amongst themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in the kids club. They form good relationships with each other as well as the staff who value and respect them as individuals. This helps raise children's confidence and self-esteem, enabling them to make positive choices and decisions whilst becoming more aware of their own and others needs. Children enjoy activities, look at books and play with resources that help them understand their own and differing cultures. For example, two children use resources from the ‘travel agents’ to create a scenario of a stewardess and a passenger on an aircraft. Dressing up clothes including a steward’s jacket and an African type outfit plus boarding cards and tickets add authenticity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well supported by staff who use ongoing praise, encouragement and explanation effectively. They are also skilled at standing back whenever possible to enable children to resolve their own disputes. Children of all ages play well together and abide by the rules for time-limited use of the electronic games consoles to ensure that everyone who wishes to has the opportunity to have a turn.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive, friendly relationships staff have with parents as this helps create a relaxing, trusting atmosphere and helps ensure that necessary information is exchanged. Parents speak highly of the approachable staff, the service provided and say how much their children enjoy attending.

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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’s care is enhanced by the staff who have a high regard for the well-being of all children. They make every effort to create a welcoming environment where children can relax before and after school and in the holidays even though they are still on school premises. The kids club has all the necessary policies and procedures, however, they are not all fully up to date to reflect the good practice that is in place. Children's records are up to date, stored confidentially and are shared with parents as needed to ensure continuity of care.

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Organisation

The staff team provide good role models for children creating a happy, friendly atmosphere where equality of opportunity and an inclusive environment is promoted well. Effective recruitment, vetting and induction procedures, regular staff and committee meetings and the current introduction of staff appraisals ensure that children are well protected and are cared for by staff who are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and consistent in their approach.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The kids club has effectively completed the recommendations made at the last inspection ensuring that parents sign accident records, all relevant information is included on medical consent forms, that child protection issues are shared effectively with parents, that all staff are aware of the Code of Practice relating to special educational needs and to ensure that committee members understand their roles and responsibilities. This means that the health, safety and welfare of the children cared for has improved.

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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 parents give prior written permission to administer any medication • ensure all policies and procedures are up to date.

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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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