LittleU Holiday Club

LittleU Holiday Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348264 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2007 Inspection date Diane Ashplant Inspector

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Dickens Heath Primary School, Three Acres Lane, Shirley, SOLIHULL, West Midlands, B90 1NA

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Setting Address

01217 338359 Telephone number office@dickens_heath.solihull.sch.uk E-mail Nicola Michelle Brown 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?

LittleU Holiday Club opened in 2007. It is privately owned and operates from Dickens Heath Primary School in Dickens Heath, near Solihull. The scheme has use of play space within the Foundation area of the school including an integral kitchen and toilets. Children have use of an attached outdoor play area, the school fields and playgrounds for outside play. The club serves the local and surrounding areas. A maximum of 40 children may attend the playscheme at any one time. The playscheme is open during the school holidays and sessions are from 09.00 to 16.00. There are currently 44 children from three to 11 years on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are five regular members of staff and also three part-time staff and a student. Three quarters of those who work with the children hold appropriate childcare qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is very well promoted through regular opportunities for physical play both in the attached play area which they freely access throughout the session and the school play

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 ground where they practice skills such as balancing, throwing and skipping. A wide range of wheeled toys and fixed equipment encourages their developing physical prowess. Children also enjoy group games such as netball and competently handle different wheeled toys. Inside children of all ages engage in table tennis, dance on the mat or explore the tunnels. Staff carry out regular cleaning routines to ensure that children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment. Children are learning about personal hygiene through daily routines such as hand washing after toileting and before eating and cooking activities. There are clear procedures for managing an emergency and several staff hold current first aid certificates. This ensures that appropriate action is taken in the event of a child being ill or having an injury.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a good range of healthy food choices and there is a carefully planned menu which supports all dietary preferences. All food is prepared in the adjoining kitchen and includes regular fresh fruit and vegetables. Children also learn about food through cooking activities such as making pizza toppings and rice crispy cakes. Children have regular drinks of squash and milk during the session although water is not readily accessible which limits their independent choices. All dietary needs are clearly recorded and respected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have use of ample space within this child-orientated environment where their safety is a priority which means they can move about confidently both inside and out. Staff are generally alert to any potential hazards and a risk assessment highlights any current concerns. However, exposed sockets and trailing brambles do pose some risk to children's safety. There is a good balance of staff supervision during the more adventurous activities such as the use of outdoor equipment with the younger ones and allowing children independence to choose where they go and what they engage in. Children are reminded about the guidelines in place which helps them develop their responsibility towards their own and other's safety. There is a good system for managing arrival and departures and security of the premises is well maintained. All equipment and resources used are selected with regard to children's safety and regularly

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

checked to maintain a good standard. These are set out so that children can access them safely and independently. Staff are fully aware of all procedures necessary to ensure children's safety at all times, such as safe collection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities as regards child protection and are aware of how to manage and pass on any concerns appropriately. This is part of the initial induction of staff to ensure all have a suitable understanding. There is a very comprehensive policy in place which complies with all current guidance and is shared effectively with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit greatly from their attendance at this playscheme which is very well planned to ensure they have an exciting and stimulating time with a full range of experiences to challenge and engage. Children have access to good space which is carefully set out to provide different areas of occupation such as table football and tennis and imaginative play in the tents, quiet time in the reading area or on the computer and a wide range of unusual creative activities. The entrance provides a very welcoming area which is decorated with items of the children's work in line with the pirate theme which links the whole programme. Children have free access

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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 to an attached outdoor play area at all times where they have a variety of activities set out for them or create their own imaginative play sessions. There is an excellent balance of more structured activities and children's choices which fully respect that this is the children's time for fun and enjoyment. The week's programme is carefully planned with staff having different roles and responsibilities as they engage and support children as necessary, with individual staff skills successfully incorporated.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are relaxed, confident and thoroughly enjoying their time here. They play on their own or with friends and interact happily with the staff who engage spontaneously and enthusiastically with them and clearly enjoy their time spent together. The whole atmosphere is lively and exciting with a superb choice of activities so that children enjoy making pirate swords and hats, paint sea scenes with a palate of different blue tones or make chocolate coins. Staff succeed very well in enabling children to have a very positive play experience as they choose freely from a wide range of activities and resources carefully designed to ensure they have fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into this bright and attractive environment which is decorated with items of the children's work and where they are received individually by a member of staff at the door. Most children are well known to staff and all required information is taken and carefully compiled so that they are all understood and valued as individuals. Children from different ages mix very well together as staff are successfully able to adapt activities accordingly and where older children naturally guide and support the younger ones. There is a very good range of resources which provides for the needs of the different ages and these are easily accessible by children and changed frequently. This means they have lots of choice and independent selection. Staff are aware that some children have specific needs and work closely with parents to ensure they are fully included, accessing outside support if necessary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good as they all clearly enjoy their time here and engage enthusiastically in a wide selection of interesting activities. Staff are aware that children still need some structure and so at the start of the day they all meet together to welcome each other, explain about the day's programme and remind them of the guidelines. Children of all ages play well together and older ones take on extra independent tasks, such as dispensing the food and supporting the younger ones.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents works well and they are informed in advance of the programme of activities. Good display boards provide all the necessary current information and policies and procedures of the group are readily accessible. Staff are friendly and approachable so that there is regular discussion each day and lots of children's work is taken home to share.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The playscheme is well-organised to provide an exciting and entertaining time for the children present. Staff make good use of the space within the school both inside and outside to offer a very child-orientated and varied programme which is well supported by a good range of play resources. The programme is well planned by staff to create a relaxed and enjoyable time and where children have good choice about what they do. Each day incorporates outdoor play and

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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 many different craft activities which are modified according to the ages of the children so that all have a chance to participate. There is a well-organised group of staff who know each other and most of the children well and provide a supportive and enthusiastic team who are committed to providing a fun time for the children. All appropriate procedures are in place to ensure the suitability of the staff working with the children including those taken on specifically for the playscheme. Staff engage very well with the children, enthusiastically joining in with their games and suggesting ideas and challenges to extend their play. They are responsive to the children and generally well deployed.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place to support the safe and efficient management of the scheme and this is well organised and up-to-date. All daily records are well maintained and confidentiality is appropriately safeguarded. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of 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): • ensure that fresh drinking water is available to children at all times • ensure that reasonable steps are taken to minimise the hazards to children as regards exposed socket covers inside and brambles in the outdoor play area.

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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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