Zone 4 Kids

Zone 4 Kids Inspection report for early years provision

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EY275725 Unique Reference Number 11 September 2007 Inspection date Julie Larner Inspector

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Coquet Park First School, The Links, Whitley Bay, NE26 1TQ Setting Address

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E-mail

Tynemouth Nursery Group Ltd Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day 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?

Zone 4 Kids has been registered since 2003 and is privately owned by Tynemouth Nursery Group who also run four other settings throughout North Tyneside. The group is based in Coquet Park First School, Whitley Bay. It offers wrap around care for children attending the school and in the local area. The group can provide care for 48 children under 8 years. There are currently 53 children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group use two purpose built rooms and have use of the enclosed school yard for outdoor play. The group operates from 07.30 to 09.00 and from 11.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday during term-time. During the school holidays the group links up with Zone 4 kids at Whitley Lodge who provide care from Monday to Friday, from 07.30 to 18.00. There are two permanent members of staff working in the group, including the manager, who both hold relevant childcare qualifications. Additional staff can be used from the companies other groups as and when needed.

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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. Children benefit from varied, nutritious snacks that they enjoy, such as pasta salad and bread rolls. They make choices about what type of fruit they want from apples, grapes and nectarines. Snack time is a social occasion where staff and children talk happily about their day at school. Children's requests are listened to by staff as they provide more cherry tomatoes when children are hungry. Fresh water is freely available on a table at the children's height to help them take care of their own needs. Staff ensure that children's dietary needs are met as they collect information from parents which the manager then shares verbally with the staff team to make sure they are all aware of foods that children cannot have.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to be active during most sessions. They play in the school yard which ensures that they benefit from physical exercise. Staff flexibility allows children to take part in after school activities provided by the school, such as tennis.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff practice good hygiene procedures to help ensure that children's health is safeguarded, for example, they wear aprons and disposable gloves when serving food. Children take care of their own personal hygiene, as they wash their hands before snack time. Staff ensure that they are vigilant and encourage this well as they stay near the toilets to ensure all of the children have completed this task before sitting down to eat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from cross infection due to sound procedures that staff follow consistently if children are ill. They ensure that children feeling poorly are monitored, take their temperature and contact the child's parents if necessary. All of the staff team are trained in first aid, further ensuring that children's welfare is protected. Whilst written parental consent is in place to allow staff to administer non-prescribed medications, there is not written parental consent for prescribed medications which must be in place meaning that a regulation has not been fully met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move very freely and confidently around the setting. Managing access to the setting ensures that children are protected and is achieved very well. The setting is fully enclosed and has an intercom and monitor system allowing staff to see who wants to gain access. This equipment and the staff's good knowledge of the importance of checking people who want to gain access ensures that children remain safe from unauthorised persons. Daily written checks of the area ensure that it is consistently safe, however staff need to ensure they have a contingency plan in place where equipment goes missing, for example, socket covers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are reminded of rules in the setting by staff, for example, not to run around in the setting and to wait at the exit for their parents to leave the premises which creates a safe environment for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children select activities and toys that they want to play with easily due to these being stored at child height. Children confidently approach staff to request other toys and equipment that they want and staff listen to their wishes by bring these out of the cupboard. Children are very

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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 interested in what is available as they rush into the setting and settle down to play where they want, for example, as they concentrate on imaginary play or construct models.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded well due to staff's knowledge and training in child protection. All staff attend training to ensure they can detect signs and symptoms of abuse and monitor situations of concern to help ensure that children are safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very comfortable and relaxed in the setting. They have very positive relationships with staff and other children in the group. Children play happily together as they help each other on the computer games and play games with dolls and prams. Children approach staff confidently and share cuddles before they go home. They are listened to by staff as they talk about themselves, their family and what they are doing for their birthdays.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a mixture of free play and adult led activities. Some children enjoy colouring in birthday cakes to make a display on the wall, while others choose freely from set out toys and equipment. Staff are sensitive to children's individual needs in a very positive way. For example, they support children well and spend individual time with children to settle them into the group to help them feel welcome and valued.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Some children are confident communicators as they talk happily to visitors and share experiences from their family life. Children have developed positive relationships with other children as they seek out each other to play imaginary games and challenge each other on the computer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy attending the group where they become involved in a range of themed activities that develops their learning and are cared for by staff who respect and value them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Relationships with parents work well and are very positive. Parents are complimentary about the setting and the staff team who they feel are approachable, which makes them feel able to discuss any concerns. Information about how the group works is passed to parents both when their child starts to attend and through a notice board which displays policies and procedures and a file containing useful information. Staff pass over relevant information to parents daily on a verbal basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have good opportunities to learn about diversity through fun and interesting activities that are well planned by staff. A recent banquet with foods from different cultures helps contribute to children's understanding of other cultures. Displays of different languages around the setting on welcome posters show that the group values differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well in the group. A calm and settled atmosphere is created by staff as they use a sensitive approach, which works very well, to encourage children to think of others and remind them of the behaviour that is expected. These consistent boundaries help children to understand the expectations in the group. Staff provide a good role model for children, as they encourage them to say please and thank you and praise children for their efforts, for example, when they try new foods.

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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. Staff deploy themselves well in the group to ensure children feel safe and supported. They sit with children and enjoy conversations, talking to them about what they are doing. Staff work together well as a team. They use resources, space and their time well to provide a comfortable environment which meets the children's needs successfully and through regular discussions they share information about children's needs to help children to feel settled.

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Organisation

Sound induction procedures ensure that all staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Staff complete their duties in the setting to ensure that the session runs smoothly and care is consistent for all children, for example, staff sit with children who have attended tennis as they have their snack time during the middle of the play session. Staff training in certain areas, such as first aid and child protection is an expectation of the group and further benefits the care of the children.

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Organisation

The necessary paperwork is mainly in place and well organised. However, details of staff, such as names, addresses and telephone numbers are not all in place meaning that a regulation has not been fully met.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the group agreed to ensure that times of staff and visitors attendance were clearly recorded. The group have details of times staff have attended and the visitors book now clearly shows the times of attendance.

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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 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 that written parental permission is always in place before administering medication

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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 that the relevant details for staff are recorded and available on the premises, for example, their name, address and telephone number.

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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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