Barley Fields Children's Club

Barley Fields Children's Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348923 Unique Reference Number 27 September 2007 Inspection date Donna Suzanne Lancaster Inspector

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Barley Fields Primary School, Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, Cleveland, TS17 0QP

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E-mail

Andrea Broughton 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?

Barley Fields Children's Club has been registered since April 2007. It is a privately run group. The group operates mainly from the club room at Barley Fields Primary School in the Ingleby Barwick area of Stockton. The group also use the library, the reading area, the music room and the school hall. The club have use of the school playgrounds for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club is registered to care for a maximum of 24 children at any one time. There are currently 40 children on roll, of which 26 are aged under eight years. The group is open each weekday from 07.30 to 08.55 for breakfast club, 15.00 to 18.00 for after school care, during term time. The group also operate each school holiday from 08.00 to 18.00 apart from the Christmas holidays and the last two weeks of the summer holidays. The group serves children attending the school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club employs five members of staff, including the manager. All staff hold relevant childcare qualifications and some are in the process of further training.

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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's health within the setting is supported well by staff who have a excellent understanding of promoting children's health and hygiene. For example, children have a well developed awareness of hygiene routines as they learn the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines, for example, they regularly wash their hands and understand why they need to do so. Staff supplement this with gentle reminders about flushing toilets and washing hands. They are kept safe from the spread of infection by an effective sickness policy being in place. Appropriate consents and records are in place for the administration of medication and recording accidents. Good 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

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Helping children to be healthy

enjoy playing sports games such as football, rounders and music and movement.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a buffet style breakfast which allows children to select from a range of healthy cereals and fruit. They choose from a wide variety of fruit at snack time and a selection of nutritious foods is served at tea time. For example, cheese, crackers, baby tomatoes, dips, raw vegetables and a variety of sandwiches. Drinks are freely available and packed lunches provided during the school holidays are stored appropriately. Meal times are a sociable experience; staff sit with children and talk to them about their day at school and about the different foods that are healthy. This helps to raise their awareness of the importance of healthy eating. Children are relaxed, happy and certainly enjoy their food. Children are involved in menu planning. Staff plan food tasting activities to encourage the children to try different foods, such as food from different cultures. Staff have detailed information about children's individual health and dietary

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a spacious, warm and welcoming environment. Children's art work is displayed around the room, giving children a sense of belonging and ownership of the environment. Premises are secure with good systems in place for monitoring visitors and for ensuring children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised. Children are safe and secure as comprehensive daily written risk assessments of the areas used by children identify any issues that need rectifying. For example, the floors are kept free from hazards and children find a suitable space to get the large equipment out. Clearly defined procedures for the emergency evacuation of the building are in place and are practised regularly by the out of school club. Children are very familiar with the procedure and know how to evacuate and where they must stand once outside the building. This means children's safety is further promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good understanding of their role and responsibilities under child protection. The required procedures and documentation are in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Procedures are in place in the event of an allegation against staff. This means the staff give high priority to protecting children's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The indoor and outdoor space is organised effectively, enabling children to explore and take risks while being supervised. Well organised outdoor areas enable children to develop their physical skills and use their imagination well. They use a broad range of safe, well maintained

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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 toys and equipment, suitable to the age and stage of their development. Resources are attractively displayed and stored at child height, enabling them to enthusiastically make their own selections and develop their independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Positive relationships have been developed between staff and children. This results in children being happy and very settled. The staff plan and provide a range of varied activities in conjunction with the children to promote fun, enjoyment and friendship. Children also enjoy free play as they select what they would like to do. For example, showing off their magic tricks, making cups of tea and bathing the babies in the home corner. Children confidently use the whole environment and explore activities freely. They engage in their chosen activities with lively enthusiasm and concentrate well, and become very engrossed in activities they enjoy, for example, when they are making pictures with the ink stamps and making robotic dogs with the bricks. They take turns, play co-operatively, help each other and are proud of their creations, for example, when building a fort together and positioning the play people in it, they pose for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their photograph to be taken with the finished product. Children relax after their busy day at school in the comfortable seating area, where they watch TV, read books and chatter to each other.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have high self-esteem, and share lots of conversation with staff and their peers. They talk about their day at school and other interests outside the club. Children behave very well. They are praised often and good behaviour is appropriately encouraged and reinforced. Children are confident to ask questions and their interactions with staff are warm and trusting. For example, when children are learning to knit with knitting needles and finger knit, the staff chat to them about their own experiences with their parents and grand parents when they were young, and how they also learnt how to do this. As a result children participate with enthusiasm and the atmosphere is happy and relaxed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a positive attitude to others and gain a good understanding about the wider world through the positive images displayed in the provision, looking at different festivals, dressing up in traditional clothes and tasting foods from different cultures. Children with learning difficulties and disabilities are able to participate fully. The setting promotes inclusive care and all children are welcomed. Staff liaise closely with parents and other agencies to ensure children's welfare and development is fully promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A very effective partnership with parents has been developed. Useful information is discussed prior to their child starting the club. This ensures that staff are aware of children's needs. General day to day information about the club is displayed on the parents notice board, including the procedure to follow in the event of a complaint. However, the address of the regulator is not included. Parents are kept constantly updated on their child's time whilst at the club, through regular newsletters and verbal discussion at the end of each session. Positive feedback was received from parents about the standard of care that their child receives. Policies and procedures are effectively shared with parents.

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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 Children behave well. A calm and consistent approach to behaviour management is demonstrated by all staff. They provide good role models, using praise frequently to develop children's self-esteem and to help them understand when they have done well. They use timely interventions where they use distraction or clear explanations, which protects the child.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children attending after school and during the holidays enjoy the use of their own club room; the library; the hall; the reading area and the music room. The areas used are well organised and staff make the very best of the toys and equipment to maximise the space offered to children. This means that children have ample space to move around freely and confidently. Staff to child ratios are maintained at all times to ensure that children are supervised well in all areas used and are cared for well. Consistency of staff promotes good team work, stability and continuity of care for the children attending.

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Organisation

The required policies and procedures are in place, which supports the care of the children. All records are accurate and up to date. Through the registered provider's own knowledge of recruitment procedures, she ensures all staff working with the children are suitable to do so. However, these procedures are not yet fully formulised. The registration certificate is displayed and all confidential documentation is stored securely in a locked cupboard. Close links have been fostered between the school and the provision, which has a positive impact for the continuity of care for children.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets 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 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):

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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 • ensure the contact address of the regulator is included in the complaints procedure • further formulise the systems for the recruitment and vetting of staff.

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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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