Scutler's Den Holiday Club at St Wulstan's R.C. Primary School

Scutler's Den Holiday Club at St Wulstan's R.C. Primary School Inspection report for early years provision

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EY291703 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2007 Inspection date Deborah Ball Inspector

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Elmfield Walk, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, DY13 8TX Setting Address

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E-mail

St Wulstans Playgroup Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, 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?

St Wulstan's Child Care Group was registered in 2004. It operates from two rooms within St Wulstan's Roman Catholic Primary School, in the town of Stourport-on-Severn. A maximum of 30 children may attend the setting at any one time. Children from the age of 2 to 14 years of age attend the setting. The setting is open each weekday from 08:30 and 17:00 during school holiday periods. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 42 children aged from 2 to 14 years on roll. The setting offers support to children with learning difficulties and disabilities, and children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting employs five members staff all of whom hold appropriate qualifications. The setting receives support from the local authority.

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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. Children benefit from being cared for in an environment where very good hygiene practices are encouraged. The children receive excellent support in learning to manage their own personal care as they learn the importance of regular hand washing at appropriate times, such as after using the toilet, playing outside and before meals. The premises and equipment are maintained to a high standard of cleanliness and children enjoy helping with appropriate tasks to keep the rooms and equipment clean and tidy. Children's welfare is promoted because staff have attended first aid training and can administer treatment in the event of an accident. Appropriate systems are in place to ensure that accidents are well recorded and shared with parents at the end of each day. Positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection when children become ill and relevant information about infection control and the advised minimum exclusion periods

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical play is an integral part of children's time at the setting and helps them to develop positive attitudes to the importance of fresh air and exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. Children are able to be active and participate in a wide range of physical activities outdoors using the playing fields. They enjoy taking part in organised games and sports or use their imagination to develop their own games using the equipment available. Children enthusiastically take part in several indoor physical activities, such as large floor games and dancing to popular music. The children enjoy organised games and sports. For example, they participate in swimming lessons, play crazy golf in Stourport and enjoy hiking up Stagborough Hill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an awareness of how to keep healthy through a variety of carefully planned activities that help them to understand the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Mealtimes are very social occasions when children sit together to eat their packed lunches and share their news. A family atmosphere is created as the children have time to be with their siblings or friends and talk about what they have been doing. Children benefit from a good selection of wholesome and nutritious snacks which always include a selection of fresh fruit and can help themselves to drinks at any time. The children recycle waste food in the compost bin and this leads to a high level of meaningful conversations being held about how food helps them to grow and stay healthy. This sets good examples and moulds children's attitudes towards healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a clean and well maintained care environment. They are able to move freely and safely throughout the provision and have plenty of space to engage in play with their peers. Children benefit from a wide range of age-appropriate toys and equipment. These are of good quality and are well maintained to ensure that they are safe and suitable for the children to use. Resources are very well stored to allow children to make independent selections and decisions about their play. Children are encouraged to report any broken toys to the staff. Discussions about how to care for their resources ensure that children play sensibly and learn to respect and value shared equipment. In partnership with staff, children are able to develop their own wish list of toys that they would like and these are planned and budgeted for accordingly.

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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 Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, where risks have been identified and minimised. Staff understand, and are very committed to, their responsibility for children and use a comprehensive risk assessment, site security and fire prevention strategies to best effect in ensuring children can play safely and enjoy their time during the holidays. Children are directly supervised by staff, both indoors and outside. There are effective procedures in place for the safe collection of children by only known adults and includes the use of a password system. Children develop a clear understanding of how to keep themselves safe through topics, activities and talking about key risks and how to deal with them. For example, children have the opportunity to learn about keeping themselves safe as they discuss road safety whilst

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

exploring the local community. They have devised their own safety and behaviour rules which are presented in a positive manner, are recalled daily during key worker sessions and are displayed in the main hall. Children are confident to ask the staff questions about visitors to the setting. These lead to informative discussions about staff working at the setting to keep the children safe and secure. Clear boundaries are set when children play outside which ensures they have the freedom to run around and enjoy outside spaces, while still remaining safe. Children regularly practise fire evacuation procedures to ensure that they are aware of the action that they should take in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe and protected from harm as the staff have a professional understanding of child protection procedures. Staff are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities to protect the children in their care and are able to recognise the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. The staff have easy access to detailed policies and reference guides to help them implement correct procedures when necessary. However, the child protection policy is out of date because it does not make reference to the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance. Therefore children's welfare is not fully protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting and benefit from the child-friendly and stimulating environment provided. Close and warm relationships are developed throughout the club and this is particularly evident with the young children attending who readily involve staff in what they are doing, share their news and chat freely. The staff are attentive and caring and an effective key worker system encourages children to make special relationships with the adults who care for them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to make their own decisions about what they want to do and so feel a sense of control in their lives. The staff plan a basic structure to the sessions, however children's participation is highly valued and they are encouraged to plan and lead their own play and follow their own interests. Regular meetings are held with children to ask them what they want to do and involve them in planning their own activities. These play ideas are then incorporated into the group's activity plans and children's views, comments and suggestions are always taken seriously and acted upon. This makes children enthusiastic and helps them to feel an integral part of the group.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are kept fully interested and stimulated with a wide range of different games and activities. For example, they are able to choose between small world play, table top and floor games, billiard tables, building with construction toys or enjoying games on a playstation. The children use their imaginations widely as they draw, make things from dough or enjoy making up their own games. Children are encouraged to recycle by placing spare paper into a box. A good balance of rest and active times are offered throughout each session and children are

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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 able to make up their own games, play outside, be physical in the hall or chat to their friends. Children are taken on outings where they can explore places of interest, leisure facilities and the countryside. For example, the children have enjoyed outings to the Severn Valley Railway, Wyre Forest Glades, Ragley Hall, the West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley Museum and to the cinema.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individuality is valued and staff help children feel good about themselves by providing a wealth of positive support, praise and close attention. There is a strong commitment to seeking children's ideas and suggestions for how the club can be improved and staff consistently promote positive behaviour, group co-operation and a belief in mutual respect. This results in children developing a strong sense of self worth because they are made to feel that they matter. Children behave well, showing a clear understanding of what is expected of them. They are always treated fairly and staff have clear, reasonable expectations that the children respond well to. Star charts are used effectively to reward children for positive behaviour such as being helpful, kind and playing well together and staff are effective in their use of positive praise and in setting good examples, which the children follow.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children use a good selection of playthings and activities that help them to understand their own backgrounds and the wider society. Books, cultural puppets and multi-cultural resources and artefacts are used as part of children's every day play, while interesting themes help them to understand the significance of special days and different festivals such as Divali and Chinese New Year. Clear arrangements are made towards ensuring the setting’s practice is inclusive, and good relationships have been developed with support services outside the group to ensure children can receive the right type of additional help when they need it. There is a detailed equal opportunities statement which reflects practice and staff are committed to ensuring all children are included and their individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The staff establish a good partnership with parents and carers which contributes significantly to children’s well-being in the setting. They enjoy friendly but professional relationships, enjoying open, honest and fun conversations with each other at arrival and collection times. These positive relationships help the children feel settled and secure. Parents receive regular newsletters to ensure that they are well informed of operational information and planned events. Notice boards are used effectively to help parents understand such things as which staff are caring for their children and the policies and practices that are followed to keep children healthy, safe and having fun. Lots of photographs are displayed which chart the activities, outings and the friendships made at the setting, and this acts as a visual diary that all parents can see and comment on. Parents have easy access to the range of policies and procedures,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

which are openly displayed in the portfolio for their attention. There is a good complaints policy in place which clearly informs parents of the ways in which they can raise concerns and confirms the setting's commitment to ensuring parents' views and comments are always taken seriously.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the excellent organisation of the group and play an active role in defining how their club runs and the activities that they are involved in. Space and resources are very well organised and children benefit from this. They have easy access to their playthings and

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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 can freely and easily move between the available play space. Children enjoy physical activity each day, either outside in the playground, the environmental area or inside in the school hall. The staff are motivated and enthusiastic in their work and actively engage themselves in children's play. Staff consistently interact and converse with the children throughout the session. As a result, children relish their time at the setting and are very happy in the care of trusted staff. The staff work well as a team and hold regular meetings to discuss good practice and share ideas. This effective system of communication is further supported through ongoing discussions between staff each day.

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Organisation

Excellent systems are in place for the recruitment and induction of staff. All staff are subject to vetting procedures to ensure that they are safe and suitable to be in contact with children. Appraisals are undertaken to monitor staff practice and identify training needs. The staff are encouraged to attend relevant training courses to improve or refresh their knowledge. Internal spot-checks are undertaken by more senior members of staff to ensure that staff effectively implement the policies and procedures of the organisation and to assess the enjoyment and well-being of children.

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Organisation

Children's care is enhanced through excellent, clear and up to date record keeping. All of the required documentation is in place, easily accessible and stored securely to ensure that confidentiality is maintained. Children's individual needs and preferences are well recorded, ensuring that they are effectively met by staff. They are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that staff are aware of their changing needs and interests. The setting's comprehensive range of policies and procedures are implemented effectively by staff to promote excellent outcomes for children. These documents are readily available to parents to ensure that they are aware of the operational procedures of the setting. With the exception of the child protection policy, all policies are continually reviewed and updated to ensure that they reflect current good practice and professional advice. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to ensure that toilet paper is always available in the toilets and to reinforce children's awareness of safety rules with regard to the playground.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Good progress has been made since the last inspection which has significantly improved the care and safety of children. Arrangements for ensuring children's independence in seeing to their personal hygiene have been improved. Domestic hygiene procedures have been introduced and are displayed in all care rooms. Careful arrangements have been made to ensure supplies of toilet paper are regularly replenished. Children develop a clear understanding of safety rules with regard to the playground. They have developed their own safety and behaviour rules and staff are proactive in talking to children about safety issues. As a result of these improvements children’s health, safety and well-being is assured.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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): • update the child protection policy to make reference to the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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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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