Harwell Primary School

Arty Party Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

123062 Unique Reference Number 31 July 2007 Inspection date Linda Close Inspector

p.1

Endlesham Church Hall, Balham, Balham, SW12 8JL Setting Address

p.1

0208 675 7055 or 07817 424 898 Telephone number julia@artyparty.net E-mail Arty Party Limited Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

p.1

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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Arty Party has been registered since 1997 and is one of four similar holiday activity settings operated by the same registered person. Arty Party takes place within one of the halls of the Balham Community Church, and is situated within close walking distance of Balham High Street. Four members of staff and 30 children aged from four to 11 years were present at the time of this inspection.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Arty Party provides children with the opportunity to undertake a vast range of art and craft activities, under the guidance and support of experienced and trained staff. Children are also offered time to relax and play in the outdoor play space. The facility operates during school holidays from 09:00 to 15:30 on weekdays only. Most children who attend live locally and children are brought to and collected from the site by parents or carers.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Five staff work at the facility, two of whom hold a relevant teaching qualification and one has a Montessori Diploma. The manager has a National Vocational Qualification at Level three in Play work. All staff have experience in caring for children and have Fine Art qualifications or experience.

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 are cared for appropriately if they have an accident because staff who are trained first aiders are present at every session. Parents give their written permission for staff to seek emergency medical treatment or advice if required. Children are only given medication if it is provided by parents with written instructions and staff make sure it is stored safely. Staff keep any accident and medication records appropriately and they share them with parents at the end of the day. Children are asked to wash their hands before eating their lunch and after messy activities. They willingly cooperate but they all share two handtowels which risks cross infection.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children bring snacks, drinks and a packed lunch from home each day and no meals or snacks are provided by the play scheme staff. Most parents are aware that lunch boxes are not stored in a fridge. Parents pack food appropriately to keep it in good condition. Children can ask for fresh drinking water and a tray of beakers is set out for outdoor play. However, there is no drinking water set out for them to access freely at other times.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children make good use of a secure outdoor area for energetic play at break times. They only use this area for short recreational breaks mid-session and after lunch as the setting is totally devoted to art work and time is not set aside for games at other times. However, they enjoy their play and take healthy exercise at this time.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and their parents are warmly welcomed into the setting at the start of each day. The outer door is monitored at the beginning of the day until all of the children have arrived and then it is locked to keep children safe. A visitors book is correctly maintained. The hall used for art and craft activities is sufficiently spacious for the numbers of children attending. The outdoor play area is level and secure.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The group is very well resourced for the children's art and craft work. A wide range of good quality art materials is available for the children. The materials for each day are well prepared by staff before children arrive. Children have ample space for their art activities. The provider and staff check the hall for safety before each day begins. They ensure that no sharp or unsuitable objects are left in the hall. The kitchen door is kept closed during the sessions. The fire log shows that evacuation practice takes place every week. The provider does this to safeguard the children because most attend for just one week at a time.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected in relation to child protection issues because staff are well informed. The provider and staff work with children outside of this scheme and they know what signs and symptoms suggest ill-treatment. The provider knows that referrals to appropriate agencies are to be made without delay if staff have any concerns for the children's safety and wellbeing.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy to be in the setting. They eagerly join their friends and thoroughly enjoy the relaxation that the art activities bring to them. The day gets off to a jolly beginning with children taking turns to tell jokes to the group. Children of all ages sit together which enables them to be with their siblings and friends.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The range of activities planned for the children is shown on a timetable so that parents can help children to choose art works that appeal to them before registration. There is a rolling programme of activities so that children are unlikely to repeat a particular piece of work. Staff offer alternatives to maintain children's interest if this is the case.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children were observed making clay ships to put in decorated glass jars and they took great care with their work. The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' theme continued into the afternoon when the children gazed in amazement at a selection of real fresh fish such as red snapper and mackerel. They handled and explored the fish and looked closely at their fins, scales and teeth. Children learned a lot about fish and they went on to make delightful observational drawings in charcoal which they then framed using cardboard 'driftwood'. Children also study the works and styles of artists including Stanhope Forbes and J.D. Mackenzie. They learn how to use a wide range of interesting materials over the days that they attend and are involved in creating two and three dimensional models and pictures. Staff are kindly and supportive and they give the children the confidence and encouragement that they need to complete their attractive

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made welcome at the setting no matter what their individual needs are. Staff share information with parents about children's health and general wellbeing which enables the staff to offer continuity of care. The children are fully engaged in their art work which is interesting and stimulating. Staff are firm but kind in their approach to behaviour management. The children know what is expected of them and they are polite, co-operative, busy and content.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's parents are given useful information about the planned activities. Printed leaflets describe the aims of the setting and an outline of what children will do each day. Parents are able to see for themselves what approach the setting takes to dealing with accidents and infection control because policy and procedure documents are displayed. Parents say they choose this setting by recommendation from other parents or because their older children have attended previously and have enjoyed the activities.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The provider ensures that all members of staff are checked for their suitability to work with children at the time of their employment. Most staff have fine arts qualifications and all are experienced in working with children either in the play scheme or in school settings. Suitable contingency plans are in place to ensure that sufficient staff work with the children at all sessions. New staff have the opportunity to become familiar with the routines and procedures in the setting before taking responsibility for the children and their activities.

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 The hall, furniture and resources are very well prepared in most respects before the children arrive. However, the children have immediate access to fresh drinking water at break times but they must ask for drinks when the session is in progress. Hand drying facilities are not well organised. All of the necessary documents, policies and procedures are in place. Records are correctly maintained to support the smooth, safe running of the setting for the children and they are held in readiness for inspection at any time. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Two recommendations for improvement were made at the time of the last inspection. Staff agreed to ensure that the fire fighting equipment is positioned effectively and that equipment is checked. There are now extinguishers in place in all rooms which are checked regularly. Children and staff carry out emergency evacuation procedures every week to ensure that all know what to do in the event of a fire. The fire log shows that the last evacuation took less than one minute and this routine clearly supports children's safety well. The provider also agreed to review the induction programme for new staff. At the time of joining new staff are now given a job description and they are introduced to the policies and procedures of the setting. All staff work side by side which enables new staff to benefit from direct supervision and enables them to seek advice from more experienced staff.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required either the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 good. The registered person meets 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 further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide fresh drinking water for children to access at any time • ensure that children have hand drying facilities that prevent cross-infection

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.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

p.5