Woolston Wasps

Woolston Wasps Link Club Inspection report for early years provision

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315284 Unique Reference Number 21 June 2007 Inspection date Susan Patricia Birkenhead Inspector

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Woolston C.P. School, Hall Road, Woolston, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 4PA

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E-mail

Sandra Lesley Ogden 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?

Woolston Wasps Link Club is one of four clubs owned and managed by the Wasps Link Club organisation. The club opened in 1994 and operates from the dining hall, adjoining activity area and the school hall of Woolston Community Primary School in the Woolston area of Warrington. The children have access to the school field and playground area for outdoor play. A maximum of 50 children may attend the setting at any one time. The club is open each weekday from 08.00 to 09.00 plus 15.00 to 18.00 during term time and 08.00 to 18.00 during school holidays, all year round. The club serves the school and one other school in the area. At present holiday care is available at one of the other sites registered.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 68 children from four to eight years on roll. The club supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. The club employs four members of staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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 stay healthy because they are cared for in an environment where staff promote effective hygiene practices and procedures. Children are aware of the importance of personal hygiene as they routinely wash their hands before snack and after using the toilet, using bars of soap and paper towels. They inform the inspector that they do this 'because they have germs on their hands, which get onto the food and make them ill if they are not washed'. Activities involve visitors from the community to raise children's awareness of dental hygiene. The written policies reflect the procedures for sick children and when they are taken ill at the club their parents are contacted to collect them. Staff use anti-bacterial sprays for the cleaning of surfaces and play materials. Staff complete food safety training to ensure snacks are hygienically prepared. Therefore, children are positively protected from the risk of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular daily access to the extensive outdoor play area, weather permitting where they enjoy taking part in group games, such as the parachute game and football. They organise their own sports day in line with the school events and make up rosettes to issue to competing teams. They can select from the range of outdoor resources and also take outdoors play materials from inside, such as construction. Their physical development is further promoted indoors, where children take part in the exercise classes organised by the staff. Therefore, children recognise the importance of physical exercise and how this contributes to their well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have independent access to a jug of drinking water and beakers during the session. At snack time children are served with a beaker of fruit squash or water according to their preference. The varied daily snack the children receive incorporates aspects of healthy eating, such as toast, raisins, and fresh fruit is available each day. At times, children have access to less healthy options, such as hot dogs and waffles and occasional treats at the end of the week include cakes. Children's understanding of healthy eating is positively promoted through the discussions they have with staff and the effective wall display they create to reflect healthy foods. They recall foods that are good for them and can identify the less healthy options when asked. Children are organised well at snack time where they sit together in smaller groups of approximately eight to eat their snack, therefore, promoting a socially interactive time for all.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for by familiar staff in a welcoming environment within the school that some of them attend daily. Children know the routine followed and confidently make their way to the seating area on arrival where staff take the register. Children have access to the dining hall, main school hall and the activity area. Areas are set out before the children's arrival creating different areas of interest and play to encourage children's enjoyment following their school day. The walls of the activity area boasts numerous displays for children and parents to enjoy, which reflect the interesting themes children have completed, and a good level of information, which includes staff qualifications, certificates of training they attend and details of 'Kidscape'. As a result, children's sense of belonging is promoted very well within an organised setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A wide range of play materials are accessible to children within the club that are appropriate for their differing ages. Very good use is made of the storage units on wheels, which enable the children to independently select from a good variety of creative materials and role play

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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 items. The safety of the play materials is part of the daily checks staff complete prior to the children arriving. Play materials are cleaned very regularly and damaged items are disposed of, which ensure children stay safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is promoted well as they play because the staff make them aware of potential hazards and the consequences of their actions. In addition, children respect and co-operate with staff direction and adhere to the boundaries set. For example, they recite and extend some of the ground rules in place, which staff make more interesting and memorable through the rhymes they create. There are systems in place for signing children in and out of the club, resulting in children's attendance being accurately recorded daily. They practise fire evacuation regularly, the details are recorded and visits from the fire safety officers further reinforce children's understanding of fire safety. The school take responsibility for completing risk assessments on all areas the children have access to and the club staff routinely complete daily checklists to ensure risks are minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the staff have attended child protection training. They clearly demonstrate through discussion their awareness of the signs to look for and the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child in their care. The written child protection policy in place refers to the staff responsibilities and the local procedures they follow. However, details regarding the procedures to be followed in the event of allegations being made against a member of staff lack detail.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and secure within the link club because of the very relaxed and friendly environment created. They develop positive relationships with the staff and friendships with other children and tell the visitors what a good time they have at the club. They have opportunities to come together to share news with others in the group. Older children show care and concern for the younger ones as they involve them in role play situations. Children select for themselves what they want to do and show interest in all they do. They build using construction materials and assist each other in making models, such as a 'chain saw on wheels' and the cars, recruiting the help of the staff when necessary. Children have regular access to the outdoor area where they play group games or play individually with the skipping ropes and hoops. They involve staff in a game of snap and noughts and crosses in small groups or

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

individually. Children make good use of the creative materials accessible to them. They rise to the challenge of painting without using brushes and select items, such as sponge pieces, straws and cardboard shapes. Therefore, children are encouraged to have fun, enjoy their stay through the many worthwhile opportunities they experience.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's play and activities are well organised following the flexible play plans developed by staff, which are displayed for parents and children to see. They have times to relax, watch television or a favourite film and sit quietly in the activity area, where they can chat or listen to music with their friends. Children have good opportunities to select and make decisions about their play as well as taking part in a range of adult initiated activities. Children's understanding of the wider world is very well promoted through the interesting range of activities and experiences provided. Therefore, children's independence is fostered and they continue their learning of the wider world outside school. Children are supported well through the positive staff interaction and involvement in their play and activities. As a result, children show a good level of respect for the adults who care for them.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued well as individuals and have equal access to play and activities without stereotyping. A good level of information is recorded to enable staff to meet the individual needs of the children and information parents receive includes an 'all about me section', which is completed for some of the children. Children develop a positive understanding of diversity because they have access to a small number of resources and celebrate a variety of festivals through the creative activities and food tasting experiences, which include Chinese New Year, Easter and Christmas. The wall display provides good evidence of the 'disability awareness week' organised, which incorporated 'deafness awareness' activities led by a visitor to the club. As a result, children develop an understanding of sign language and learn to sign their own name. The link club provides an environment of inclusion for all children, therefore, positively

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Helping children make a positive contribution

supporting children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and are responsive to staff intervention, and as a result show consideration for others. The staff work together effectively to provide a consistent approach to the management of children's behaviour and use methods, such as time out, which allows children to reflect on the behaviour exhibited. Children learn about the boundaries established and contribute to the formation of the link club rules on display to promote ownership. Staff regularly praise the children's good behaviour and achievements. This contributes to building the children's self-esteem and confidence. They play cooperatively and recognise the need to share resources and take turns when playing with specific resources, such as the computer games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the open, friendly relationships between parents, carers and staff. They receive verbal feedback regarding their child's well-being on collection at the end of the session. This helps to promote continuity of care between home and the link club and establish good partnership with parents and carers. Parents receive appropriate information regarding the setting through the policy file made available for them to read initially. They exchange information with staff through the registration forms, which are updated monthly. Some parents or carers complete the 'all about me' booklet, which outlines individual detail, such as their child's likes, dislikes and favourites. The very positive feedback from parents indicates how happy they are with the care and stimulation their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. An effective recruitment and selection procedure is followed by the directors to ensure suitably qualified and experienced staff care for children. However, staff files are held at head office and, therefore, details of their employment are not available on site for the inspection visit. Staff confirm through discussion that adults employed who have not completed the necessary vetting procedure do not have unsupervised access to children. A high ratio of qualified staff, are responsible for the children's care and contingency arrangements ensure the required staff ratios are maintained. Staff are committed to attending additional training from which the children benefit. The staff team meet regularly to discuss the planning of activities and training attended which contributes to the positive organisation of the setting. The directors hold supervisors' meetings monthly, which include supervisors from other settings and complete

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Organisation

staff appraisals quarterly and annually.

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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 All required documentation, which contributes to the children's health, safety and well-being is in the main in place, with the exception of the incident record. The written policies and procedures in the main provide sufficient information regarding the link club practices and procedures. Information is regularly reviewed, shared with parents, and respects confidentiality. However, the complaints policy and the reporting format does not clearly reflect the recent changes in regulation, the uncollected child policy, which although it is said to be available could not be located and the child protection policy lacks some detail. Therefore, minor amendments are necessary.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection the provider was asked to conduct a risk assessment on the premises identifying action to be taken to minimise identified risks due to the school's electrical appliances and food waste being stored in the indoor play area. Since the last inspection the school have given attention to ensure food waste is not stored in the area the link club operates and the daily checklists completed by staff contribute to minimising risks to the children.

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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. 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): • review the current policies to ensure information recorded reflects the procedures for dealing with allegations against staff, uncollected children and the reporting timescales for managing complaints • ensure a system for recording incidents of necessary physical intervention is in place and make available for inspection evidence of staff clearances.

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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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