Seesaws Kool Kids Holiday Club

Seesaws Holiday Support Group

Inspection report for early years provision

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Seesaws Holiday Support Group

Unique Reference Number 229054 Inspection date 10 August 2005 Inspector Adelaide Griffiths

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Seesaws Holiday Support Group

Setting Address Baptist Church Hall, Chester Road,Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield, W Midlands, B73 5HY Telephone number 0121 350 2779

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E-mail

Registered person Jayne Ackers Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School 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 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?

Seesaws Holiday Club registered in 1998. It is linked to Seesaws Day Nursery on Chester Road, Sutton. The group operates from a large hall in the Baptist Church on Chester Road. It is situated on a busy main road in Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield. A maximum of 35 children may attend the group at any one time. The holiday club is open five days a week during school holidays. Sessions are from 09:00 until 18:30. There are currently 198 children aged from 4 to 11 on the roll. Children come from a wide catchment area as most of the parents travel past the playgroup or associated nurseries on the way to work.

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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 Five staff work with the children. All staff hold early years qualifications. Staff numbers are supplemented by students on short term placement during the summer holidays.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are effectively learning about hygiene matters. On outings staff carry wipes to ensure that children's hands are clean, for example after touching animals. Children demonstrate that they are used to the well established routine of hand washing. They line up for the toilets and for washing hands before dinner and following some activities. Children's health is protected with consent for medication and emergency medical treatment. Records of medication and accidents are accurately and consistently maintained. Children's inhalers are safely stored but kept within reach so that they are readily available for use. Two first aid boxes are well stocked and appropriately maintained. All staff have current first aid qualifications. Children benefit from healthy meals and snacks. A balanced menu is planned and a hot meal provided on 'in days' when the group stays on the premises. Staff are

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Helping children to be healthy

informed of children's individual dietary requirements which are updated consistently. Staff prepare drinks daily and ensure that these are available to children. Individual bottles of drinks supplied by parents are within easy reach to allow free access to children. Children have opportunities to participate in a good range of physical activities. They frequently walk when going on trips. A good proportion of outings is to places that include facilities with equipment for children to engage in active play. After lunch children can participate in boisterous or quiet play activities. They may also choose to sit quietly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, bright environment. There is sufficient space for all children in the large hall. Owing to effective organisation of furniture there is ample space for children to move around and play freely. Security to the hall is maintained at all times with controlled entry to the premises. Because toilets are located away from the hall, staff escort children at all times. Except for church staff the group has sole use of the premises during the day. There are good measures in place to ensure children's safety. Windows are secured with grilles and children sit comfortably whilst participating in activities. Staff carry out daily risk assessments which are recorded. Children are clearly learning about personal safety as staff remind them constantly not to run in the hall or to not to swing on chairs. They are gaining good understanding of fire safety due to monthly

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

fire drills which are recorded. All additional measures are in place to comply with fire

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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 regulations. Effective arrangements are in place to safeguard children's safety on outings. Staff carry a good range of supplies including mobile phones, emergency contact numbers, medication (if required), first aid boxes and drinks of water. Children wear badges with the name and telephone number of the associated nursery. Children's names are not included. There are firm procedures in place in the event of children being lost, and staff are well informed. Additional staff are on hand to participate in outings to ensure that children are effectively supervised. There are clear policies and procedures for transporting of children from a pick up point to the play scheme on a daily basis. Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded. There are well written policies in place

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to protect children and staff have good understanding of procedures. Staff ensure that they keep up to date by attending courses and parents are informed of staff's role and responsibility in protecting children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children benefit from stimulating activities. Children are developing memory and recognition skills in their activity of matching cards and identifying pictures. Children work at assembling a large world map puzzle which helps them to develop problem solving skills. They are all clearly concentrating whilst involved in making flags. They colour in some parts of the sheet with crayons and stick tissue paper on other parts. Staff praise children constantly and give encouragement with activities. Younger children are clearly developing self help skills. They are learning how to hold and use safety scissors with supervision. Children are working well together to construct a collage of animals and talk of where is the best place to stick pictures. Children use their imagination to assemble plastic shapes with which they make trains and cars. Children are free to choose activities and request resources which

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are made accessible to them. Children benefit from frequent outdoor activities when they go on trips. Following their visits to places of interest children reproduce these in drawings which demonstrate their creativity and skills in concept formation. Children describe outings as their favourite activity due to opportunities to access large outdoor play equipment. In the playground at the nursery children can play on equipment including slides, climbing frames and swings to promote their balancing and coordinating skills. Opportunities for quiet activities are well planned to fit in with daily routines. Children are encouraged to listen to short stories and to join in with singing. Sessions end with a circle time when children review the day's activities with staff.

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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 All children are highly valued in the setting. Staff meet their individual needs by agreeing with parents all aspects of care. Staff are well informed of children's needs in regard to their requirement to use inhalers and dietary preferences. Quiet or new children are paired with a buddy for part of the day to help them gain confidence. Children in the group come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Staff include themed days in the weekly activities so that children can gain some understanding of other cultures. They have participated in Italian, French and Indian days during which they learn a few words in each language and have meals of the related countries. Staff organise interesting activities to raise children's awareness of the wider community. A well planned itinerary is in place for the duration of the summer weeks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities to go on outings to places of historic interest, for example Blakeley Hall and the Think Tank in the city centre. Children are effectively learning to develop independence and self reliance. Staff set out tables and children fetch chairs which they are reminded to carry carefully. Children access their own drinks and in doing so demonstrate that they are gaining self help skills. Children are clearly growing in self confidence. They request resources and decide on forming small groups to play with construction toys. They play well together or alongside one another. They are well behaved and show that they are clearly aware of boundaries of behaviour when they remind others of rules. Unacceptable behaviour is managed positively by experienced staff who discuss with children reasons for their behaviour and alternative responses. Although a behaviour management policy is in place procedures are not discussed with new staff to give

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Helping children make a positive contribution

them the confidence in addressing behaviour issues. At present there are no children with special needs at the play scheme. Staff have previously cared for children with special needs and have arrangements in place to do so effectively. All children's needs will be met in consultation with parents and additional staff made available for extra support. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that children are cared for in accordance with their wishes. All new children have a settling in period. Parents are informed of the provision's policies and consent obtained for relevant procedures including outings and the celebration of festivals. An information board with news about the setting and some policies is located at the entry door of the setting. A complaints procedure with the name and address of the regulator is included. There is good communication between staff and parents. When children are taken on outings

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents, who wish, may contact staff on their mobile phones at any time.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Good organisation is in place for the care of children. Staff attend updating courses to ensure that they are informed of good practice. There is good team spirit which contribute to all staff feeling comfortable in the setting. There are well established routines and well planned activities. Children are organised in groups according to their age for most activities. This arrangement encourages all children to participate actively and provides opportunities for them to interact with their peers. All staff

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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 benefit from an induction period. The registration certificate is clearly displayed and the daily registers of attendance for staff and children are accurately and consistently maintained. All consent forms are signed by parents. All children's records are stored securely and are accessible when required. Staff are aware of procedures in regard to the retention of records which are updated frequently. They are also aware of the requirement to notify Ofsted of significant changes. A wide range of policies and procedures are in place to support staff in working with parents and for the care of children. Overall, the needs of the range of children who attend the play scheme are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Recommendation included at last inspection are met by ensuring that accidents records are accurately and consistently maintained.

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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 all staff are informed of a consistent approach to behaviour management.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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