Foxes Den

Foxes Den Out of School Care Club Inspection report for early years provision

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207233 Unique Reference Number 12 July 2007 Inspection date Karen Ann Byfleet Inspector

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Newton Primary School, Buxton Road, New Mills, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK22 3JS

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Setting Address

01663 744358 mob 07990595082 Telephone number thefoxesdenclub@btinternet.com E-mail Foxes Den Out of School Care 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?

Foxes Den Out of School Club has been registered since 1993. The provision operates from the main hall of Newton Primary School in New Mills, Derbyshire, and accepts children from the school and local surrounding areas. It is registered to care for 40 children aged three to eight years. However children attend from four years of age to over eight years within the registration numbers.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 88 children on roll who attend various sessions and the group supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The setting operates five days a week term time only and sessions are from 07.45 to 09.00 and 15.30 to 18.00.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Four staff work with the children and have relevant childcare qualifications. The setting receives support from the local authority.

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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 is well maintained. Toys and equipment are in clean condition and good procedures are in place to help the children learn about their personal hygiene. They follow daily routines with regard to hand washing before eating and after using the toilet. Staff are positive role models as they follow good procedures when preparing foods. For example, washing their hands before handling food and ensuring all prepared food is covered until the children are ready to eat. All staff hold relevant first aid certificates. They follow correct procedures when dealing with accidents and medication, which helps to promote children's health and well-being. A sick children's policy helps to ensure children are protected from illness and infections.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted and all children's dietary needs are discussed with parents. A good selection of healthy, nutritious foods are provided for the children's snacks. They enjoy a range of different fresh fruits such as oranges, apples and bananas and a variety of sandwich fillings such as ham, cheese spread and banana. Children offer their suggestions for different snacks and occasionally make their own. For example, they enjoy making their own pizzas with different toppings. This helps children develop a positive approach to healthy eating. Drinks of orange squash and blackcurrant juice are offered to the children at snack time and they are able to request drinking water throughout the session.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical activities, which helps to encourage them to have a positive attitude to a healthy lifestyle and develop their physical skills. They participate in physical games and have many opportunities to play outside. They enjoy the large outdoor space where they use a good range of equipment such as the fixed climbing and balancing equipment, and play a range of ball games. Within the outside area is a 'secret garden' where the children enjoy exploring and learning about living things.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is maintained satisfactorily. Areas are well maintained and provide a warm, welcoming environment where children are able to move around in comfort. There is a good large space within the setting enabling children to play with a good range of activities, which helps to promote their development. The staff are well organised and help create a stimulating environment. They encourage children to make free choices, for example, the children requested the pool table to be out and staff happily set this up ready for when the children arrived. Toys are stored in lockable cupboards which the children have access to during the session, enabling them to exchange toys and games as they wish. The provision has satisfactory processes in place to help keep children safe. Safety and cleanliness of toys is ensured as staff clean all toys regularly and check for any faults, and risk assessments are completed helping to protect

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children from harm. However, security of the premises is compromised. Although doors leading into the building are not able to be opened from the outside, which ensures no one can enter the building, children are able to open these from the inside. Fire safety is promoted well in the setting. Staff practise fire drills with children to ensure they understand the procedures. However, these are not practiced on a regular basis.

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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 Children's welfare is safeguarded as a detailed policy for child protection is in place and understood well by staff within the setting. They have attended up to date training and are fully aware of procedures to follow if they have any concerns about children's welfare. This helps to protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and enjoy their time within the setting. They experience a wide range of activities which contributes to their development inside and outside. For example, they enjoy creative activities where they are able to make objects such as pirate hats, which are to be used in a forthcoming event. They also enjoy cookery nights where make such things as pizzas for snack time. Children’s individual needs are met well and their welfare is promoted as staff provide positive support and children show lots of interest as they play with the good variety of age-appropriate toys and games, such as board games, puzzles and computer games. Planning is in place and staff include children in this. They ask for their ideas and suggestions, for example, the children decided they wanted the pool table out and staff accommodated this request. The children have also requested a cinema night, which is planned, where they will

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

watch a movie and have popcorn and ice-creams.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain good levels of self esteem and confidence as staff freely offer them praise for their efforts and achievements. For example, when the older children help the younger ones with the rules around playing pool. Children’s independence is developed as staff allow them to freely choose activities and include them in the planning. There are many opportunities for children to engage in relaxing activities such as reading or practising their recorder skills. The enclosed outdoor play area enables children to participate in a good range of physical activities and with the use of the 'secret garden' they are able to explore and investigate living things.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of equal opportunities as they are proactive in ensuring all children are treated as individuals and have equal access to all toys, games and resources. Children's individual needs are discussed fully with parents and any requirements are highlighted on children's individual record sheets. Staff know the children well and are able to ensure their needs can be met. A suitable range of toys promoting positive images of diversity are readily available through the resources. For example, there are books, puzzles and small world figures, all of which help to raise children's awareness of diversity and help them to develop positive attitudes. They undertake activities which include celebrations from around the world and they participate in activities within the local community. For example they have been involved in the 'best dressed lamp post' competition which is held locally, making models of African animals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The setting has good experience of providing care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. They ensure activities can be adapted if needed to ensure inclusion, and there are good liaisons between the parents and school to ensure continuity of care for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children within the setting are well behaved. They know and understand the boundaries and rules of the setting. Staff are consistent in their approach and have sound procedures in place to manage behaviour issues if and when they arise. This helps children feel secure, knowing what they can and cannot do. The children play well together and have developed positive relationships with their peers and the adults caring for them. For example, the older children

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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 help the younger ones with the rules around pool and they play co-operatively with the computer games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff promote positive relationships with parents and work in partnership with them to meet children's individual needs. They obtain all relevant information from parents such as contact details and any allergies children may have. A detailed information booklet is provided for all parents which contains information on the types of activities they will undertake, staffing and policy statements. The full policy file is available for parents to access at any time. Information on what the children have been doing and any messages from school are passed on to parents as they collect their children, ensuring they are kept fully informed about their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All appropriate information about individual children is gathered and recorded onto their registration sheets. Daily registers of children and staff attendance are well maintained and all policies and procedures are in place which contribute to the effective organisation of the setting. Staff hold relevant childcare qualifications and they know the children well. Space is well organised and good use is made of available resources to ensure children are occupied and having fun. Staff are attentive to children's needs which contributes to them having a sense of belonging and their being happy.

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Organisation

Staff training is ongoing as they regularly update their knowledge and skills, contributing to the quality of care they provide. Recruitment procedures for new staff are sound. All relevant checks are undertaken in order to confirm suitability of people who are employed to work in the setting. Staff are proactive in ensuring they continue to provide a happy, safe environment for the children as they are positive in their approach to ensuring the premises are safe. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the setting: devise a system for recording existing injuries; record medicines that are self administered by children, and provide information to parents regarding policies and procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Staff are proactive in evaluating the practice of the setting. They have implemented a procedure for recording any existing injuries children arrive at the setting with. Staff within the school pass on information and this in turn is passed to parents. Parental signatures are obtained to show they have been informed, ensuring the welfare of children is maintained and consistent. The setting have detailed medication record sheets, which will be completed when a child self-administers any medication or when staff within the setting are requested to administer by parents. However, there have been no instances to date. An updated information booklet for parents has been devised and implemented. This ensures parents have all the required information around the setting's policies and procedures. A full policy and procedure file is also made available to parents.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • devise an effective system for managing the exits • ensure regular fire drills are practised with the children.

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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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