Hop Skip and Jump Playscheme

Hop Skip And Jump Inspection report for early years provision

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EY253334 Unique Reference Number 16 August 2007 Inspection date Catherine Greenwood Inspector

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Guildford Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 0PZ Setting Address

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01932 722192 Telephone number dawn.hunt@asph.nhs.uk E-mail Ashford And St Peter's NHS Trust Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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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?

Hop Skip and Jump holiday playscheme has been registered since 2003. It is located in the grounds of St Peters Hospital in Chertsey and is linked with First Steps Day Nursery. It gives priority to children of staff employed at the hospital.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The premises used by the playscheme are purpose built. There are designated quiet rooms, with a large room available for group activities. Children have access to a secure outdoor play area. The playscheme is registered to care for a maximum of 30 children at any one time and currently has 106 children on the mailing list and 27 children on roll. Opening times are from 08:00 - 18:00, Mondays to Fridays during school holidays. The playscheme currently supports children who have learning difficulties and/or disability.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The playscheme employs three members or staff or more depending on the number of children attending, all of whom hold a relevant playscheme or early years qualifications.

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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 show excellent personal independence as they wash their hands, pour drinks of milk and help themselves to a snack which is made available on a café style basis. Staff help small groups of children to prepare the mid-morning snack, which includes healthy food such as apples, bananas, and raisons. Children are protected from the risk of cross infection because staff encourage them to follow good hygiene practice, for example, they wear disposable aprons whilst preparing the snack. In addition, there is a written health and hygiene policy in place. There is a member of staff on the premises at all times who holds a current first aid certificate and details of children's accidents are recorded and parents informed. However, some entries have not been signed.

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Helping children to be healthy

In good weather children can choose to play outside. They create their own challenges, for example, practising handstands on the grassy area and enjoy using the skipping ropes. Children have the opportunity to use roller blades and other resources in the outside play area such as barrels, hoops, large wooden trucks and two swings suspended from large trees. However, the resources for outside play are limited, which means that some children do not have sufficient physical challenges.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises is safe and secure. There are good systems in place for children's arrival and departure which include a separate entrance, with a digital entry system for parents to use. Children know the safety rules. For example, they say that when they are playing on the swing tyre there has to be two children so they can help each other. Staff plan safety awareness weeks where the fire and local police services visit the playscheme and talk to the children about road safety and stranger danger. Highway officers and other people visit to talk about railway safety. A good range of age appropriate and well maintained play equipment is made easily accessible to the children at all times and staff complete daily risk assessments of the premises. This means that safety hazards are minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire evacuation procedures are displayed in a child friendly way on a poster in the hallway so children know what to do in the event of a fire. They take part in fire drills completed by the adjoining day nursery, however, these drills do not always take place when the playscheme is running and are not completed frequently enough.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because staff have a secure understanding of child protection procedures. They re-visit the procedures every year as part of an in-house training day, and current documentation such as what to do if you're worried a child is being abused, is displayed. There is a system in place to record existing injuries, however, there is no system in place to record any confidential child protection concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Communication with children is very good. Staff consistently speak to the children in a calm and respectful way and encourage them to develop independence and take responsibility. As

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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 a result, children are very friendly and are keen to talk to each other and adults. They speak very positively about the playscheme and the things they enjoy doing. Staff show interest in what children say and do and provide the right amount of interaction, for example, when younger children need help with writing their name they sit next to them, engage in conversation and offer support. Consequently children achieve their aims and feel proud of efforts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff plan creative activities that are related to themes such as 'fashion', which are chosen according to children's interests. They display children's work on a board in the main play area. This shows that children have used shirts, felt, glue, material and fabric paints to create their own designs. Advance written planning is no longer used because the children decide what activities they want to do on a daily basis. Consequently, children are very good at occupying themselves, making decisions and choosing activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children draw creatively, for example, pictures of hamsters and Dr Who. They play on the three computers, use the magnetic snakes and ladders board, playstation, snooker table, construction and imaginative play resources and board games. Children take part in cooking activities to help prepare food for teatime, such as pizzas, pancakes, cakes and making sandwiches. They develop good self help skills as they are encouraged to volunteer for tasks such as hoovering and washing and drying up after meals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff base themselves at activities where children need help. For example, to sew items such as beads, net, and felt onto patches of material. Staff also sit on the floor and help children to understand the rules for some of the board games. Consequently children try hard to achieve new skills and work well as part of a small group. They collectively take part and win creative competitions through Surrey childcare services which include activities such as t-shirt printing and mosaic designs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and at ease. This is because staff meet their individual needs and they are given the freedom to choose their own activities. Children are very well behaved, form good friendships and enjoy each others company. They are extremely polite and remember to say please when asking for additional resources, such as the felt pens. Staff get down to the children's level, talk through any minor incidents in a calm manner, and encourage children to talk to others involved, and resolve the situation. Consequently children are quick to co-operate and develop confidence in dealing with issues. Parents are informed of all behaviour including any unnecessary language. However, there is no confidential system in place to record any significant incidents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed about the playscheme and their children through the use of daily communication, e-mail, letter and a notice board. Children take part in activities which help them to learn about different cultures through themes such as 'around the world' However, there are insufficient resources that reflect positive images of culture, race, gender, religion and disability. The playscheme currently supports children with learning difficulties and/or disability. Staff have a good knowledge of the action they need to take to meet children's individual needs, for example, through talking to parents and providing additional support. Staff ensure children with learning difficulties understand safety rules and what has been explained to the whole group.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Staff are observant of the choices that children make and work very well as a team. They take it in turns to supervise the outside play area, which means that in good weather children can move around freely for most of the day. Children benefit from having access to two additional smaller rooms which they use independently. They enjoy using these rooms for quiet play, and make themselves comfortable by putting cushions on the floor whilst playing with things they have brought in from home and other resources. Staff sometimes join the children within the small rooms, for example, to finish playing board games after lunch.

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Organisation

The registered person meets with staff prior to each playscheme to discuss plans for the children and any problems. Documentation is well organised and most record keeping systems are in place. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote children's welfare, care and learning, for example, in relation to recruitment and suitability of staff. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to conduct a daily risk assessment on the premises, ensure children have independent access to drinking water at all times and provide a notice board to display information for parents. A comprehensive risk assessment has been completed for the whole building which includes the day nursery in 2006 and a daily safety check list is used for indoor and outdoor areas, drinking water is made easily accessible in the main play area for children to help themselves, and a wipe board has been fitted outside the entrance to the playscheme. This is used to record information such as reminding parents to bring in sun cream, hats, and informing them about any special events. This means that children's health and safety, and partnership with parents has been improved.

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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. 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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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 parents are asked to sign details of all accidents to children

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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 • devise an outings procedure and improve the frequency of fire drills • devise a system to record any confidential child protection concerns and review and update child protection procedures to ensure they include all necessary information

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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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