East Hunsbury Primary School Kids Club

East Hunsbury Lower School Kids Club Inspection report for early years provision

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220195 Unique Reference Number 03 July 2007 Inspection date Rachael Mankiewicz Inspector

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Penvale Road, East Hunsbury, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN4 0QW

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E-mail

East Hunsbury Lower School Kids Club 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?

East Hunsbury Lower School Kids Club opened in 1994. It operates from the small hall and one classroom within East Hunsbury Primary School. The Kids Club serves the children attending the primary school. It is registered to care for 36 children from 3 years to under 8 at any one time. Children attend a variety of sessions. Staff are able to support children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group opens five days a week term time only. The breakfast club session is from 08:00 until 08:45, the after school session is from 15:30 until 18:00. Four permanent staff work with the children, three of whom have playwork qualifications at Level 2. The setting receives support from a local authority development worker.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy regular outdoor play and benefit from the fresh air and exercise. This helps support their continued growth and development as part of a healthy life style. They

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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 enthusiastically take part in ball games and team activities on the playground, on the playing field or in the hall, depending on the weather. Children become aware of the effect of physical activity on their bodies as they are reminded to calm down and rest after energetic exercise. Some children relax with quieter activities such as reading books and playing with dolls as the others play dodge ball.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a sound awareness of healthy eating and enjoy a good range of nutritious foods, such as fruit, yoghurts, and sweet and savoury biscuits. Their dietary health is maintained because records are kept of any food requirements and staff are knowledgeable about children's dietary needs and provide accordingly for this. Children know they should take fluids as a way to maintain their health and to access more water after energetic play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a generally clean environment where they use suitable hygiene practices. For example, they wash their hands before they have their snack. The environment is generally clean and hygienic, which helps to prevent the spread of infection. Children's welfare is safeguarded because staff have up to date knowledge of first aid in the event of any accident, and appropriate procedures are in place if children are unwell.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where risks are identified and minimised. Staff are deployed effectively to provide suitable supervision. Children are aware of the need to keep themselves safe in the out of school club area and the familiar external school environment. The staff encourage children to think sensibly and safely as they use the equipment and resources. Children are reminded not to run around indoors when the tables and activities are out. Older children are aware of the needs of the younger children particularly when they are all playing together in the playground. Children keep themselves safe by staff talking to the children about safety issues. For example, they are reminded what to do in the event of a fire and they are involved in evacuation practices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's well-being is promoted well through policies and procedures regarding safety, including checking resources regularly to make sure they are safe and suitable for the children's needs. Staff are able to seek appropriate care if accidents happen. Children are protected well as a result of the good supervision by staff and their comprehensive understanding of the local Safeguarding Children Board’s guidelines for child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time at the club after a busy day at school. They are happy, relaxed and well settled. Children enthusiastically take part in planned and spontaneous activities in the hall and in the playground or other areas outside. They excitedly play sports and ball games outside, then choose quieter activities when they come inside. Children enjoy a range of art and craft activities and take pride in their achievements. For example, some children show pride in their plasticine models. They understand that they need to take turns to use the computers in the computer room. Older children are able to pass on their knowledge to the younger ones as they play in harmony, and help at various levels. They laugh and have fun with each other and with the adults as they participate in activities that engage them all well.

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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 Staff involve themselves in some of the children's activities to offer support and interact with the children. They talk about matters that are significant to the children. Children have sound relationships with adults at the setting and this helps their sense of security and well-being. They know the staff well as most of them work at the school during the day. Staff informally evaluate their practice and the activities at the end of each day to monitor the quality of care of the children and plan for future sessions. They seek children's views to ensure the programme meets their needs and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled and happy with the part they play at the out of school club. They develop their confidence and self-esteem as they choose how to spend their time involving themselves in quiet activities or being active in their play. Children make suggestions to the staff about other resources they might need from the store cupboard that day, such as extra large dolls or a different video. Staff respect the children’s suggestions in the suggestion box for new ideas and for which resources they would like at the club. Children's views are used to plan future activities. Children learn to respect each other and the choices of others, take turns and share. They are well behaved, take ownership of the club rules and generally needing little reminding of the expectations and boundaries. Children understand that some of the group need more help than others and they make all children welcome. Their understanding of diversity

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is fostered well by the provision of positive images of different people and the experiences of celebrating the festivals and lives of people from other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care, welfare and development are promoted because the staff have developed friendly relationships with parents. A policy is in place regarding learning difficulties and/or disabilities which details how the service will be provided to children. The very good levels of support ensure that all children are included and receive a great deal of individual attention so that their needs are effectively met. Parents are informed about how they may complain about any aspect of the service although the information does not reflect recent changes to the complaints system. Practice is based on generally good policies and procedures which are made available to parents. The information regarding the complaint procedure lacks some detail.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the effective organisation of the staff, space and resources both inside the premises and in the outdoor area. They access play equipment and make choices of what to use as they know what is available in the accessible storage. Staff are deployed well to provide good supervision and this allows children to mix and interact across the age range of the primary school. Children's care and enjoyment are promoted because the staff work well together as a strong team. Staff have relevant playwork qualifications which, along with their skills and knowledge, help to fully support children's welfare and well-being. However, there are no staff with the required qualification to Level 3 which is a breach of the National Standard 1. This compromises children’s future well-being. Staff informally evaluate their practice and the activities at the end of each day to monitor the quality of care of the children. There are

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Organisation

vetting procedures in place to check the suitability of staff. Children's well-being is generally safeguarded because well-completed records, policies and procedures are in place. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the setting was asked to improve the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. This area has been developed and children gain further awareness of the wider world through uses of resources and a variety of activities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The setting was also asked to address the requirement for staff qualifications. This has been met in part as three members of staff have Playwork qualifications to Level 2 of the National Vocational Qualifications. A further recommendation has been made as a result of this inspection to ensure that the manager has an appropriate Level 3 qualification.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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): • ensure that parents are made aware of the policy regarding complaints and the record of complaints • ensure that an action plan is set out detailing how training and qualifications requirements are met.

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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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