The Village Pre School and Kids Club

The Village Kids Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY283153 Unique Reference Number 26 June 2007 Inspection date Gill Ogden Inspector

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St. Lawrence C of E Primary School, Lower Church Road, Skellingthorpe, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 5UZ

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E-mail

Lynn Heath Graham 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?

The Village Kids Club was registered in 2004. It operates from the school hall of St Lawrence's Church of England Primary School, Skellingthorpe, Lincolnshire. The club serves the village of Skellingthorpe. It is open each week during school term times from 15:15 to 18:00 and from 08:30 to 17:30 during school holidays. If there is enough demand a reakfust club is provided between 07:45 until 09:00.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club is registered to care for 35 children under eight years of age. There are currently 84 children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Of the five staff work with the children, four hold a relevant child care qualification and one is working towards it. The club is a member of 4Children.

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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's health needs are given high priority. Staff effectively implement good hygiene procedures, for example, ensuring tables are wiped with anti-bacterial spray before and after being used for meals and snacks. It is made clear to parents that children who have contagious illness may not attend because this is detrimental to others. Children have good personal hygiene habits, knowing that they must wash their hands after using the toilet. All staff are first aid trained so are able to deal appropriately with any accidents that may occur. Children have plenty of space to move around indoors for physical activities such as dancing to keep them fit and also go outdoors to enjoy sports activities whenever the weather is suitable. Facilities are made available for children to rest if they need to during the holiday club but similar facilities are not available in the after school provision.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a filling and nourishing snack after school. They always have fresh or dried fruit accompanied by crisps, crackers or breadsticks. In the colder weather children have toast as an addition to their fruit. They are allowed one drink of squash and additional drinks at snack time and throughout the session are always allowed water. During holiday club children bring their own packed meal which is kept fresh for them in a large fridge. Special dietary needs are given close attention.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in safe and secure premises. Doors from the hall lead out into the school and the grounds. Access into the school is strictly monitored at the main entrance and the door into the grounds which is used by parents when they pick their children up is kept locked. Staff are able to see who is outside through the glass door panels and windows from the hall. The premises are well-maintained and all the necessary safety equipment is in place and checked regularly. Daily risk assessments are carried out on the premises. Venues for visits are rigorously checked for their safety and suitability. Also during the visit staff report anything they are not happy about to the proprietors and often follow this up with written comments.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety knowledge is prompted by staff throughout the sessions and they all take part in regular fire drills. Some children reinforce their road safety skills on their walk to the club from another school in the village. They are escorted by staff and procedures such as a younger child walking alongside an older child are always implemented. Toys and play equipment are suitable and in good condition. Children bring to staff's attention anything that is broken during their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further safeguarded because staff are fully aware of their child protection responsibilities and it is an agenda item at every staff meeting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and settled in the group. They arrive enthusiastically and immediately become involved in the wide variety of activities that are set out ready for them. Staff greet them warmly and actively involve themselves in their play. Activities are planned for both the

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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 after school and holiday club in some detail and are related to children's social, physical, intellectual and emotional development. Children's experiences in the club are planned to complement, rather than replicate, what they do at school. All staff are clear that children are spending leisure time in the club and although they are automatically learning from their activities the main purpose is that children should have more freedom to do what they prefer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities are planned in line with themes throughout the year and forward planning is excellent. Children are already booking their places for the school holidays to go on exciting trips such as to the zoo, a science museum, bowling, and an adventure park. In previous holidays they have visited local museums, the local football league club and to see a Disney production on ice. The visit to a recycling centre, where the children use waste materials for craft activities and learn about recycling in general, is always very popular. Additionally, children welcome visitors to the group who provide a variety of differing experiences for them such as circus skills and dance workshops. The plans for this summer's holiday are related to films and the children will explore film animation throughout the holidays. Their current theme for the term is related to oceans and summer and they are doing activities related to sea creatures and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

talking about sun safety. In these ways, children enjoy high quality leisure activities that equal what they might have done with their families.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made welcome in the club and lots of information is gathered from parents to ensure that children's individual needs can be met. Amongst their activities children have opportunities to learn about the wider world and staff work hard to make sure that children are introduced to festivals other than those they learn about at school such as Yom Kippur and Sukkot. Children's own cultures are reinforced by, for example, celebrating birthdays by having cake for snack and making cards for events such as Father's Day. National events such as Children in Need are supported by the children, most recently by holding a talent contest. On the whole behaviour is good and children abide by the boundaries that they are involved in setting. Staff do not shirk from handling any persistent behaviour difficulties and address them with the group as a whole and with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents and carers are very warm yet professional. Parents speak highly of the provision. They are given plenty of information about the group in general and newsletters keep them up to date with activities and events. For example, not only are they told well in advance about any outings they are also given some useful information about the places to be visited so they can make informed decisions about whether their children should go. They are also regularly consulted about other activities their children are involved in such as how long they think children should be allowed to spend using play stations. Parents are encouraged to contribute directly to their children's play by providing, for example, 'junk' for the children to use creatively.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Staff are very careful to make sure that the day-to-day practical organisation of the group ensures children's welfare needs are met. Whilst some staff pick up children from another school and escort them to the club, others ensure that everything is set out appropriately in the hall before the first children arrive. A staff member signs children in as they arrive and a full register

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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 is taken when all the children are present. Because some children do not sty for long, snack is offered soon afterwards and children come and help themselves when they are ready. Parents sign children out when they leave.

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Organisation

Staff are experienced and mostly qualified and solid systems are in place to recruit, induct and appraise them. There is a strong team ethic and regular meetings between all the provisions belonging to the owner ensure best practice is shared. All the necessary records and other documentation are in place but not all of it is always kept on the premises which can have a potentially negative impact on the overall care provision for the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of recommendations made at the last inspection records have been established for the administration of medicine, written procedures are in place to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff and a policy has been developed in the event of a child being lost. This results in a stringer framework being in place for the care of children. However, all documents are still not kept on the premises and made available for inspection. This is carried forward as a recommendation from this inspection.

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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 that a comfortable rest area is available to children during the after school provision as well as during the holiday club • ensure that all records are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times.

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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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