Boston West Kids Club

Boston West Kids Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY152275 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2008 Inspection date Elisabeth Wright Inspector

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Boston West Childrens Centre, Sussex Avenue, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 7QG

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Setting Address

01205 312864 Telephone number postmaster@bostonwestkids.plus.com E-mail Boston West Kids Club Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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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

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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?

Boston West Club was registered in 2001. It operates from a purpose built children's centre adjacent to Boston West Primary school in a residential area of Boston.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 205 children on roll. The setting is registered for 24 children under eight years per session. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting opens five days a week before and after school during school term time and offers full day care at the play scheme during school holidays. The setting has supported a number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Five staff work with the children. Two have early years qualifications to level 3 and one to Level 2 who is working towards a Level 3 qualification.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting is a member of Boston West Joint Childcare Group. The setting gained Quality Assurance recognition in 2005 with Children's Links, Growing in Quality.

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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 promoted well because staff effectively support children in personal hygiene routines, for example, hand washing after outdoor play and before eating, by using posters and pictures to remind them along with verbal encouragement. All staff have current first aid training, including relief staff and a fully stocked first aid box is available, therefore if children have an accident or become ill they are cared for well. Parental consent for emergency medical treatment or advice is obtained at registration, thus ensuring that children's well-being is protected in the case of an accident or emergency. Children's well-being is monitored closely by staff and procedures are in place for the recording of any illness, the administration of medication and any accidents that may occur, thus ensuring that parents are fully informed about their child's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well-nourished at the club and benefit from the provision of healthy snacks and meals. Children attending the breakfast club benefit from a range of healthy foods, for example they eat toast and healthy cereals and sometimes have fruit in the holidays when they are there for longer. Packed lunches are stored appropriately to ensure that food is safe for the children to eat. Water is available at all times in a dispenser which ensures that they do not become thirsty or dehydrated; they also have access to sugar-free juice that they can help themselves to as required. Snack and meal times are happy, social occasions where children develop independence skills and take responsibility for tidying up. Children's dietary needs are always met as procedures ensure that all staff are clear about a child's individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from free access to the outdoor garden area, offering a wide variety of physical and outdoor play. The provision of a canopy allows children to benefit from playing in the fresh air when it is raining. They develop good physical skills using a range of equipment including wheeled toys, bats, balls and scooters.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident in an environment that is thoughtfully organised with their needs in mind. They benefit from being cared for in a clean building where maintenance issues are quickly identified and acted upon. For example, on the day of inspection the heating failed the staff acted promptly to install temporary heaters, to maintain a suitably warm environment in the children's area and contacted a heating engineer to rectify the problem swiftly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy a wide range of appropriate play equipment which is well-maintained and cleaned regularly. Children are comfortable in requesting specific items and activities, organising their own play with friends, for example, making use of art materials and sharing small world toys or computer games. They have easy access equipment, including sports equipment, games, imaginative play, arts and crafts, computer and books. Staff are deployed well, ensuring children are supervised in all areas at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The policies and procedures that are in place ensure the safety of the children, for example, risk assessments are carried out and reviewed monthly and daily checks of the building and garden ensure that hazards are minimised and the children can play safely. The building and outside area are secure, staff are aware of anyone entering the building and ensure that visitors

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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 are monitored at all times. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussion and they become familiar with emergency procedures as they practise the fire drill. An accurate fire log is kept and fire safety equipment is checked regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected because staff have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities with regard to child protection policies and procedures. They demonstrate a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and are able to act appropriately with due regards for the welfare of the child and confidentiality.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and happy in the club's welcoming environment. They are confident and have good relationships and interaction with staff, enabling them to request and organise their own play or to take part in planned activities. Children are able to complete art and craft activities and indoor games with minimal supervision, developing relationships well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The wide range of resources keeps the children busy and interested. For example, they can use the computers, paint and draw in the art area, use the quiet room to look at book and relax or play outside with equipment play house. Children are offered a quieter environment to complete homework and read should they want to. Staff are skilful in supporting the children's own ideas and extending their activities by the use of open-ended questions and suggestion. Adult-led activities are flexible and children are able to adapt them to their own idea which develops their independence and self-esteem. However, because the setting does not use written or formal plans, staff are not always fully aware of the children's individual progress or development needs. Relationships between the children are strong as they chat and play together, with staff providing unobtrusive supervision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Because staff provide the children with good role models the children are developing respectful relationships with adults and each other. The friendly and happy environment in the club enables the children to develop self-esteem and confidence, as they choose activities and chat with staff, sharing their ideas and choices. Children are proud of their achievements and completed work, some of which is displayed and some taken home. Children develop a positive attitude towards diversity as they celebrate different festivals and use books and toys that reflect positive images of all areas of society. The setting provides a good level of support for children who have English as an additional language. They are proactive in finding out about their home culture and ensure that resources are available to support this, including the use of some words and phrases in the child's home language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued as individuals and the policies and procedures in place ensure that all children are included in available activities. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are supported well in this setting because there is a designated and trained member of staff who ensures that adaptations are made and that staff and children understand the child's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour in the setting is good as staff work together with the children in their care to establish agreed rules and acceptable behaviour. Children are handled appropriately and with respect

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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 when minor issues and disputes arise. Positive behaviour is promoted through the good role models the staff provide and a strong emphasis on praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. Relationships are open and strong and parents appreciate the flexible service offered by the club. They are provided with comprehensive information at registration so that they are well-aware of the policies and procedures of the setting. A wide range of information is gathered from parents initially which ensures that the children's needs are understood. They are kept informed of outings and general topics through regular newsletters. However, because planning is not formally presented parents are not fully informed of the activities their children are engaged in. Staff are always available for a daily chat with parents or discussion regarding specific requirements because they value the benefits this has for the children in their care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted because they are cared for in a well-organised environment. The setting ensures that the people who care for them are suitable to do so through rigorous vetting procedure. The ratio of staff supports the children well in their play. Staff are offered training opportunities to add to their qualifications enhance their knowledge and understanding of current childcare issues and trends which ensures that they are kept up to date.

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Organisation

All staff, parents and committee members have access to all policies and procedures which generally work in practice ensuring children's safety, enjoyment and achievements. A robust induction process ensures that staff have a good understanding of the organisation of the setting and are comfortable and confident in their surroundings, consequently the children receive a good level of care. Registration procedures are in place to record the hours of children's attendance. However, these are not always robustly applied because staff are not vigilant in checking that parents have signed their children in correctly noting the times. All required documentation is kept securely and appropriately in a lockable filing cabinet with due regard to confidentiality.

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Organisation

Children benefit from good organisation of time, space and resources. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the setting agreed to ensure that the food provided for breakfast and snacks gives children access to a range of food which is healthy and nutritious. Good progress has been made. Food provided is healthy and nutritious which promotes good eating habits and healthy lifestyle from and early age.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The setting also agreed to provide regular training for staff to ensure their knowledge of child protection is current and up to date. Good progress has been made. Training schedules for staff are in place it ensure that child protection training is carried out regularly. Staff

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 demonstrate a secure understanding and knowledge of their roles and responsibilities in this area.

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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.

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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): • ensure that the system for registering children's attendance hours is rigorously applied • develop a system for planning to ensure that children's individual needs are fully met.

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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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