Marian Vian Primary School

Children's Opportunity Centre Inspection report for early years provision

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101592 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2007 Inspection date Glenda Sinclair Inspector

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Bowen's Hill Road, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 8DU Setting Address

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E-mail

Children's Opportunity Centre Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day 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 Children's Opportunity Centre Holiday Scheme opened in 1991. It operates from the playroom, quiet room, multi-sensory room and therapy room and two outside play areas at the Forest of Dean Children's Opportunity Centre. This is a purpose-built facility for children with special needs and their families in Coleford, Gloucestershire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The scheme provides activity days for a mixture of children with and without special needs, and activities are designed to include all the children. The scheme serves the Forest of Dean area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 39 children from two to seven years on roll. The group opens every half-term holiday and for a part of each Easter and summer holiday. Sessions are from 09.30 to 15.00.

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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 have ample opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise as they have ready access to an outside play area and the children are able to choose whether they play inside or outside for a large part of every session. Indoors, they join in with simple action songs, which helps to strengthen limbs and develop co-ordination. There is a quiet room available if a child feels tired or poorly and a good standard of hygiene is maintained. Staff encourage children to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet, which helps them to learn about personal hygiene, as well as minimising the risk of cross infection. Nappy changing procedures are appropriate. Staff are warm and reassuring, helping children to develop a sense of trust and emotional well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Snacks are healthy and nutritious and meal times are used to continue children's learning experience. Staff expect children to remain seated whilst eating and will help children to begin feeding themselves, if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are well-maintained, clean and child-friendly. Doorways and corridors are wide enough to allow wheelchairs and specialist equipment to be used safely. The outside play area is totally enclosed and, therefore, children are unable to leave the area unsupervised. There is a soft play surface and a partial canopy is fitted to allow children to play safely out of doors in most weather conditions. All equipment and toys are clean and in good condition. They pose no safety risk to children. Staff are aware of the risks of too much sun and encourage children to wear hats with neck protectors, when playing outside in the sunshine. Fire procedures are in place and fire drills are practised regularly. Security is good. Visitors are admitted via an answer phone system. Door handles are high thus preventing children leaving the premises unsupervised. On outings, children are accompanied by a high percentage of adults to ensure

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

their safety. Transport is checked regularly and all drivers have appropriate clearance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a sound knowledge of the signs and indicators of child abuse and are familiar with the procedure to follow if they have any concern about the safety or welfare of a child in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Staff provide a variety of stimulating, but fun, activities throughout the holiday. Action songs form a popular part of the sessions. Children join in at their own level, most assisted by their own adult helper. They learn through simple repetition, often using simple sign language. The songs and actions are designed to exercise weak limbs and to help with balance in a way that children can enjoy. Children have access to the usual creative activities such as sponge and hand printing. They also have an interesting time with a wide range of tactile and other sensory experiences such as playing with plastic foil or a tray filled with cold pasta, corn flour, water and paint. They are also able to develop their other senses in the on-site sensory room. Children's individual learning programmes are continued throughout the holiday, so that their progress is not delayed by the long break.

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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 Children go on outings such as a trip to the park to play and enjoy an ice-cream treat, or a visit to a neighbouring garden to feed the goldfish in the pond. At the end of every week, the scheme finishes with a family day, when families come together to enjoy a special treat such as a trip to the seaside or to a large play area in the Forest of Dean.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The senior staff know the children very well and are used to following the learning plans laid down in their primary care group. They are able, therefore, to respond to each child's individual needs and are able to help junior staff members with suggestions to aid each child's development. For example, staff recognise when children are able to take the next step forward with becoming more independent and feeding themselves. They are able to provide the necessary specialist equipment to help with this. The group supports children with a very wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities and the excellent ratio of adults to children enables them to offer a high degree of support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff use praise well to offer encouragement for every achievement and to positively reinforce good behaviour. They give simple, but clear, explanations about why good behaviour is important. They encourage politeness and praise children for being kind to each other. The partnership with parents is good. Staff and parents work closely together in the best interests of the children. Staff keep parents very well informed and provide suggestions as to how parents can supplement the activities planned throughout the scheme. Staff also provide each parent with an evaluation sheet at the end of the play scheme.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The play scheme meets the needs of the children for whom it provides. Staff organise the premises and other resources to enable children to learn happily and safely. Staff complete an evaluation form for the play scheme annually and use it to plan future developments, including staff training on such matters as how to develop children's self-esteem. There is an induction procedure in place for new staff and each new staff member has a mentor. Staff meetings are held to disseminate information amongst the staff. Staff and visitors sign in and the children's register is recording the correct information. Medication records are recorded appropriately but the new accident book does not contain a space for parents to countersign so, on occasions, parental acknowledgement has been missed. All the necessary information is recorded to ensure children's safety and all the required parental permissions are in place. The complaints procedure

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Organisation

does not have the regulator's correct address.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, staff were asked to ensure that staff attendance was recorded daily with the actual times of attendance. Staff now sign in and out and times are included. The staff were asked to practise regular fire drills with the children. Drills are now held, at least once, on each play scheme and more often on the longer schemes so that all children have the opportunity to become familiar with the procedure. The staff were asked to ensure that written records of medication were signed by parents. Parents now sign the records, which minimises any risk of parents accidentally repeating a dose. Lastly, the staff were asked to ensure that the child protection statement included the procedure to follow if allegations were made against a

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 member of staff and the need to inform Ofsted. This policy has now been suitably updated to protect children but does not contain Ofsted's correct address.

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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 parents countersign the accident record on every occasion.

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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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