Owls Kids ClubOfsted inspection, 1 May 2007

Owls Kids Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344190 Unique Reference Number 01 May 2007 Inspection date Alison Edwards Inspector

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Sutton Bonington Primary School, Park Lane, Sutton Bonington, LOUGHBOROUGH, Leicestershire, LE12 5NH

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E-mail

Jenny King 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Owls Kids Club registered under its current ownership in 2006. It is run by a private provider, and operates from Sutton Bonington Primary School in the Rushcliffe district of Nottinghamshire. It is registered to care for a maximum of 32 school aged children under eight years of age at any one time. Primary school children aged eight years and over also attend. Children from Sutton Bonington and Normanton schools currently use the provision.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children are based in a playroom in a single storey prefabricated building in the school grounds. A second classroom in the building is available for children's use, and male and female toilet facilities are provided in the building. Children also have supervised access to the main school hall, the school cookery room, and toilet facilities adjacent to the hall. Children use the school playground for outdoor play. The club opens from Monday to Friday during term time from 07:45 to 08:50 and from 15:30 to 18:00. It opens during some school holidays from 08:00 to 18:00. Children attend a variety of sessions. There are currently 160 children on roll, including those attending holiday schemes. There are currently six adults caring for children, of whom three hold recognised qualifications at Level 2 or 3.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in clean and well-maintained premises, so helping to maintain their health. Staff remind them to follow appropriate hygiene practices within daily routines, such as washing their hands before tea, in order to minimise risks of cross-infection. Ready access to the school playground and outdoor equipment enables children to regularly enjoy active play in the fresh air, for example as they climb and swing on horizontal bars. Children often show interest and enjoyment when using their small muscle skills, for example as they draw and colour. A comfortable quiet area enables them to relax quietly according to their needs whilst reading, playing board games, or watching television.

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Helping children to be healthy

Written information is sought from parents regarding children's individual health, care and dietary needs. However staff sometimes lack immediate awareness of this information, so potentially hindering their ability to manage specific conditions, such as chronic illnesses, in children's best interests. Suitable arrangements are in place to deal with any minor accidents because first aid supplies are kept accessible, and a staff member with a current paediatric first aid qualification is present at each session.

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Helping children to be healthy

Arrangements for provision of meals and snacks help ensure children are suitably nourished and contribute to a generally balanced diet. Children attending before school are offered breakfasts such as cereal and toast. Parents of children attending full day sessions during school holidays are asked to provide healthy packed lunches with chill packs to help ensure these can be safely stored. Children attending after school are offered a drink and biscuit on arrival, and choose from a selection of substantial items such as cheese or jam sandwiches, usually followed by fresh fruit, for their tea later in the afternoon. Dilute squash and fresh drinking water are constantly accessible to children, helping to ensure they take sufficient fluids.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are confident and at ease when using the main, well-designed playroom where furnishings are used well to create a sociable environment. For example, they relax comfortably in a quiet area with large sofas, board games and television. They have easy access to an extensive range of well-organised storage with a variety of creative materials, construction sets and puzzles for use at low tables and chairs. Children have independent access to male and female cloakroom facilities off the main foyer, whilst a second classroom across the foyer provides additional space for larger-scale indoor activities such as making dens. Children benefit from having ready access to the school playground in most weathers. Here, they enjoy outdoor activities such as ball games, use of climbing and balancing equipment, or sand play. Additional access to the main school hall provides further scope for active play, particularly in the darker

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

winter months or in very poor weather. Additional cloakrooms in this area ensure there are sufficient toileting facilities for the maximum numbers of children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good arrangements are in place to promote children's safety. For example, clear procedures are in place for staff to check promptly with schools and parents if a child who is expected does not attend the after-school provision. Staff are aware of the clear written procedures which are in place to manage emergencies, such as a fire or a child going missing. Children recognise and respect arrangements to maintain their safety, for example telling staff when they are

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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 leaving the playroom to play outside, or vice versa. Staff supervising different areas of the premises then communicate with each other by cordless phone, arranging to move from area to area as necessary to ensure staffing levels in each area match children's usage. Consequently, good levels of supervision are maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of what child abuse and neglect mean and of their responsibilities to act on any child protection concerns, so helping them to safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children across the age range are usually very settled and relaxed within the welcoming and friendly environment. They are confident in their dealings with adults, for example when choosing from a range of options for their afternoon meal. They are friendly and cooperative with each other, for example as they negotiate use of resources such as a small snooker table. Children are often absorbed in their chosen activities, for example as they show sustained interest in drawing, or in playing at an outdoor sandpit. They enjoy choosing between a varying range of activities and resources which help to support their overall development. For example, children are able to develop their own imaginative ideas through making puppets or drawings. They extend their thinking skills by playing different board or electronic games. They talk freely with peers and adults about their experiences and ideas, for example events during the school

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

day, and spend time looking at a range of books when relaxing quietly. Specific craft activities, such as making balloon people or pipe cleaner modelling, are planned for most sessions, enabling children to develop their awareness of different creative materials and techniques if they so wish.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Staff are calm and friendly in their dealings with children, so helping them feel confident and included in the group. Children treat each other and their surroundings with consideration, for example as they handle games and play equipment sensibly. They are able to move freely between activities such as outdoor play or use of games and books, so enabling them to exercise independent choices. Clear written guidelines are in place to help children understand what behaviour is encouraged, for example, taking turns and helping to tidy up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A useful handbook helps ensure parents and staff have a shared understanding of arrangements for children's care, such as booking and collection arrangements, the range of daily activities, and policies relating to issues such as child protection and equal opportunities. Displays including staff photographs and job titles help ensure parents have relevant information about adults looking after their children. Opportunities for informal discussion at the start of the morning or end of the afternoon enable staff and parents to share relevant information on daily events and experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The premises provide easy access for adults and children with limited mobility, so helping to ensure the physical environment is suitable for children with disabilities. Children make use of some resources reflecting different cultures and lifestyles, such as dressing-up clothes and dolls with different skin tones. Planned activities incorporate recognition of festivals such as Chinese New Year or Diwali. Consequently, children are helped to recognise and respect some aspects of diversity.

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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 satisfactory. Staff make appropriate use of available time, space and resources to maintain children's welfare by enabling them to relax or play actively, and by ensuring they are offered appropriate meals. Necessary policies and procedures, such as those to be followed in the event of a fire, or in the event of child protection concerns, are in place. Staff are aware of how to implement these to underpin the organisation of children's care appropriately. Required contact, personal and health records for individual children are maintained. However, staff occasionally lack familiarity with specific details of these, so potentially hindering their ability to manage any chronic medical conditions effectively. Daily registers of staff and children's attendance demonstrate that required adult to child ratios are consistently maintained. Systems do not yet clearly demonstrate that recruitment procedures are in line with current guidance with regard to ensuring that all

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Organisation

staff are suitable to work with children. Overall children's needs are met.

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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 to meet the National Standards. 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 satisfactory. 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): • develop more effective systems to demonstrate that adults working with children are suitable to do so • improve arrangements to take appropriate measures if children are unwell by ensuring staff have a clear awareness of information provided by parents regarding children's individual health and medication needs.

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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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