MAGIK Out of School Club

MAGIK Out of School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343704 Unique Reference Number 30 August 2007 Inspection date Donna Suzanne Lancaster Inspector

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Middleton St. George C E (Aided) Primary School, Neasham Road, Middleton St. George, Darlington, County Durham, DL2 1LD

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E-mail

West Park Day Nursery Limited Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Sessional care, Out of School 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

M.A.G.I.K out of school club has been registered since March 2007. The club provides wrap around day care for children aged three to eight years. The facility is situated in Middleton-St-George Primary school, which is located in Middleton-St-George village on the outskirts of Darlington. The community room is the main play area used for childcare and the provision also has use of the associated facilities of the school. There is an outdoor play area available.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The out of school club operates from 07.30-08.55 and 15.20-18.00, Monday to Friday, term time and is registered to care for 48 children aged three to under eight years. The wrap around care operates from 08.55-12.50 and 11.25-15.20 Monday to Friday term time. The wrap around club provide care for 16 children aged 3 to under 5 years. During school holidays the club is open from 07.30 until 18.00. There are currently 85 children on roll, of which 52 are aged under eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are four members of staff , of whom, three are qualified and one is working towards a teachers degree.

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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 satisfactory. Good standards of cleanliness are maintained in the facility. This ensures children are cared for in a clean environment to help keep them healthy. Cleaners are employed and the out of school staff clean as needed throughout session. Children are aware of the importance of following good hygiene routines and know to wash their hands after using the toilet to prevent the spread of infection. They wash their hands routinely as they arrive at the club, in preparation for eating their snack, which helps them to understand simple hygiene practices. However, not all children are given plates to eat their food from. Appropriate accident and medication records are maintained to safeguard children's health. Minimum requirements are met for first aid training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Sufficient provision is made for children to take part in physical activity both indoors and outdoors. This enables children to learn that exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The provision has access to the outdoor playing area and hall where children enjoy playing games such as football and passing the dice and naming a sweet or vegetable they like. Children attending the holiday club are taken for walks and trips to enjoy the fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

Planning is in place to help raise children's awareness of the importance of eating nutritious foods to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The provision provides breakfast and a satisfactory light tea during school term time. Parents provide packed lunches during the school holidays, and the club provides a light tea. Children are offered a sufficient choice of snacks, however, there are no alternatives given to children if they do not like what is on offer. Children have access to drinks, however, at times this is not easily accessible to younger children. Children are also encouraged to have a drink after outdoor play when they are hot and tired out. Information is obtained from parents regarding special dietary and health requirements and is recorded for reference.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a suitable, spacious and welcoming environment. Staff identify and minimise risks to children and have taken steps to keep them safe such as ensuring there are no trailing flexes and preventing their access to electrical equipment. They supervise children closely so they are unable to leave the premises unattended and so they are not at risk from other users of the building. Clearly defined procedures for the emergency evacuation of the building are in place and practised regularly with the children so they are aware of what to do should an incident occur during their time in the out of school facility.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a satisfactory understanding of their role and responsibilities under child protection and some have attended training in this area. The child protection policy is available and available to parents and staff to see. The policy includes the procedure to be followed should an allegation be made against a member of staff. However, some staff do not have a clear understanding about this procedure to be followed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Equipment is of good quality and is kept in a clean, safe condition. Children choose from a wide range of resources. Accessible storage allows children to develop their independence and make

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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 choices about what they wish to play with. Suitable cushions are provided so children can rest and relax if they wish.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children interact with staff in an easy, relaxed manner, and talk freely to them whilst playing board games and during arts and craft activities. This positively supports their developing confidence and self-esteem. They show great interest in some activities, such as throwing and catching the dice and when the children are playing with the dinosaurs. Warm relationships are evident and they approach staff confidently as they ask to play outside and to ask them to play games with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are interested in the wide range of toys and resources. For example, making pictures with felt shapes, sticking coloured feathers on to the peacocks tail and playing with the play people. The staff have a sound understanding of child development, they plan and provide a varied range of activities to support this. For example, decorating biscuits, making collages, guessing boxes, balloon races and tasting foods from around the world. Children enjoy each others company when they are playing games such as the pizza topping game, dinosaurs and indoor football, they talk, laugh and giggle together. The staff and children plan activities for the school holidays together, which include trips out, outings to the park and the soft play centre.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Partnership with parents and carers is good. Staff work successfully in partnership with parents to meet the individual needs of children. Parents are valued by staff and positive relationships have been established with them to ensure children receive good quality care. Parents receive an information brochure when their child starts the club. Policies and procedures are available and shared with parents, including a complaints procedure, however, the system for recording complaints needs to be further developed. A notice board and regular newsletters keeps them well informed of the clubs activities. Parents communicate daily with staff verbally regarding their child's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are warmly welcomed into the setting and good relationships have been formed between children and staff. Staff take positive steps to promote the welfare and development of all the children attending. There are procedures in place to ensure children with learning disabilities or difficulties are supported well and an appointed person is responsible for coordinating the provision. All children have equal access to resources and activities. They are beginning to learn about the wider world through some planned activities to celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year. They access a sufficient range of resources and activities to develop their awareness of diversity including books which reflect the diversity of society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. The staff act as good role models and manage behaviour well, promoting children's self-esteem and confidence by giving appropriate and sincere praise and encouragement. Children are happy and they know what is expected of them, they are familiar with the settings rule's and boundaries and can confidently recite them. As a result they demonstrate good manners and show concern and consideration for others. They share equipment, take turns and play well together.

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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 satisfactory. All children are settled and relaxed and staff work well together as a team to provide a warm and caring environment for children and their parents. Rooms are well organised to enable children to initiate and extend their own play. Space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. The registered person uses satisfactory recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are appropriately vetted and qualified. Consistency of staff working in the club promote good team work and adult-child ratios are met.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are in place and are shared with staff and parents appropriately to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Mandatory documentation is in satisfactory order and meets requirements. Children's records and written consents are in place, they are kept in an organised and secure manner.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 satisfactory. 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 fresh water is more accessible to younger children • further promote children's hygiene by providing plates at snack time • improve staff's knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation made against a member of staff • further develop the system in place to record complaints.

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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 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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