Walter Infant School

Fordingbridge Playscheme Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

109869 Unique Reference Number 26 July 2007 Inspection date Pamela Woodhouse Inspector

p.1

County Junior School, Penny's Lane, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1HJ

p.1

Setting Address

01425 654134 Telephone number town.clerk@fordingbridge.gov.uk E-mail FORDINGBRIDGE TOWN COUNCIL Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

p.1

Setting Address

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Fordingbridge Playscheme opened in 1975 and operates from the hall, a classroom and school playground in Fordingbridge County Junior School, Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Children also use the swimming pool under the supervision of a qualified lifeguard. A maximum of 80 children may attend the setting at any one time. The playscheme is open Monday to Friday for the first two weeks of the school summer holidays from 10:00 until 15:00. Children have a choice of times and sessions, these are 10:00 to 15:00 or 10:00 to12:00, 10:00 to 13:00 or 13:00 to 15:00.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 115 children aged from four to 11 years on roll. Children come from the local and surrounding areas. The setting currently supports a number of children with learning disabilities.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting employs 10 members of staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate qualifications and one is working towards increasing the level of her qualification.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's well-being is suitably promoted. Discussion with parents and clearly recorded information with regard to their children's health or dietary requirements enable staff to plan for these appropriately. Parents are kept informed of any accidents which befall their children which means that they can make a decision about seeking further treatment or advice if necessary. The two staff who have current first aid certificates work throughout the sessions each day so that there is always a suitably trained first aider on duty to administer treatment to the children as appropriate.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide their children's packed lunches and a drink. These are stored in a cool room to keep the contents fresh and safe to eat. In addition children are able to help themselves to a healthy fruit snack and drinks of water throughout the day. This promotes their independence and encourages them to begin to take some responsibility for their personal needs. However, there is no check to ensure that children take a drink at regular intervals.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to exercise. They enjoy using the swimming pool each day for fun and to improve their swimming skills and are able to play outside on the adventure play equipment where they can, for example, climb and balance. Children also use the playground for games and activities which help to keep them active.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's safety and welfare is compromised because entrances are not kept secure throughout the day. This means that they are able to leave the premises unnoticed and unauthorised people are able to gain entry. This was raised at the previous inspection and has not been addressed. The outside play area is safe, however, children can easily climb the fence to gain access to the pond beyond and are in danger of falling in because there are too few adults supervising them diligently. Staff are very clear about the emergency evacuation procedures and are able to put these into practice, this information is also given to the children at the start of the playscheme but is not practised with them. Consequently, the procedure has not been tested to ensure that it works in practice and compromises children's safety in an emergency situation.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children receive close supervision indoors and when they are using the swimming pool. A qualified lifeguard is always in attendance and two staff also supervise the children who use the pool in small groups for added safety. As a result, children are able to enjoy their swim and water fun safely.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is adequately safeguarded. The manager has undertaken child protection awareness training and the adults know that the procedure is to report all concerns to her so that she can seek the appropriate advice and support.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and confident in the welcoming environment. They are self-assured and enthusiastically participate in a wide range of activities. Children remain focussed on what

p.3

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 they do because activities are well planned and offer them appropriate challenges. There is great emphasis on creative activities which are resourced well and children are encouraged to use their own ideas with input from the adults where requested. They immerse themselves in pretend play with a range of props which stimulate their imagination, for example, they act out mock battles adapting resources to make shields.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play well together, some with established friends and others with newly made friends. This is possible because children are introduced to each other at the beginning of the playscheme and are made to feel welcome. They enjoy the company of their peers, for example, working amicably together constructing a complicated train layout, making up their game as they go along. Children are supported well by the adults who care for them. They are not intrusive and intuitively know when to intervene to assist with, but not take over the activity, for example, when the children are making masks and designing logos.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a mutually respectful relationship with their peers and the adults who care for them. They are polite and wait their turn, for example, when playing board games. They happily accept that for their own safety and to have plenty of space to swim, there must be a rota to use the pool. Children know what is expected of them and are well behaved. They are introduced to the 'rules' at the beginning of the playscheme and know that these are in place so that everyone can enjoy attending without fear of feeling intimidated.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are made welcome and have full access to all facilities and activities regardless of their need. For example, less able children have an individual time in the pool and high adult: child ratio's mean that they are well supported either on an individual basis or in small groups.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive sufficient information about the playscheme several months before it operates to enable them to make a decision about enrolling their children. This gives them details, for example, about time and costs and brief information about the type of activities their children will be able to participate in. The programme is always flexible so that children can help make the decisions. Parents have the opportunity to discuss their children and share any issues in relation to them or the playscheme with the manager at the beginning and end of the session.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The provision is inadequate. The Registered Body does not have a full understanding of the regulations applying to registration and consequently children's safety and welfare is compromised. Procedures for ensuring that staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children are not rigorous and appropriate action has not been taken to notify Ofsted each time there is a change to the manager of the setting. As a result, Ofsted have not been able to conduct appropriate checks to determine their suitability. These are a breach of the regulations. Children's safety is further compromised because adequate precautions are not taken to secure the premises and supervise outside play.

p.4

Organisation

The provider does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.4

Organisation

Indoor space is used effectively to enable children to move around freely and play in safety and comfort. Their activities are well presented and ready for them to begin using as soon as

p.4

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 they arrive, this means that they can take full advantage of the time they attend. Adult: child ratios are maintained and often there are higher ratio's than required so that children can receive individual care and attention where appropriate. Some staff have suitable child care and teaching qualifications but details of these are not shared with the manager. Consequently she does not always know that the required qualified staff ratios are being maintained.

p.4

Organisation

Required documentation is maintained in relation to the children so that their individual needs and requirements are known to the manager. This enables her to plan for their requirements accordingly. The attendance register accurately reflects the number of children attending which means that there is a clear record of how many children are on the premises at any one time.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to; conduct a risk assessment on the premises identifying actions to be taken to minimise the risk of a child leaving the premises or a person gaining unauthorised entry; develop and implement an action plan detailing how a minimum of half of all permanent childcare staff will hold a level 2 qualification in childcare; develop and implement staff induction training.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection no action has been taken to minimise the risk of a child leaving the premises or a person gaining unauthorised entry, consequently this remains an issue and an action has been raised for the provider to address this with immediate effect. An adequate system is in place to ensure that half of the staff have a suitable childcare qualification and a staff/volunteer induction session is implemented before the children arrive for the first time. This means that some staff have appropriate childcare experience and knowledge and all staff are clear about health and safety issues. They receive sufficient information to enable them to support the children and promote their safety and welfare. However, this knowledge is not always implemented effectively and is commented on in greater detail within the report.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions:

p.5

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 • ensure that there are effective procedures in place for checking that staff are suitable to work with children • ensure that there are effective procedures in place for informing Ofsted of all management changes as they arise • ensure that staff are deployed effectively when children are playing outside • ensure that the premises are secure so that children are unable to leave them unsupervised and to prevent other people from gaining unauthorised entry. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6