Halewood Youth Centre, Junior Club & Playscheme

Playscheme

Inspection report for early years provision

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Playscheme

Unique Reference Number 313110 Inspection date 02 August 2005 Inspector Chris Scully

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Playscheme

Setting Address Halewood Youth In Community Centre, Lichfield Road, Halewood, Knowsley, Merseyside, L26 1TT Telephone number 0151 486 2865

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E-mail

Registered person Halewood Youth In Community Centre Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School 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 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?

Halewood Youth in the Community playscheme has been registered since 1996.They operate from a purpose built youth club where many activities take place for local people. The out of school provision have sole use of the centre during their hours of opening. Four large areas make up the club and include a gym, pool/table tennis room and soft play. Children may attend from the age of four provided they attend school full time. The club is open from 15.15 till 17.30 Monday to Thursday during term time. In the holiday period the play scheme operates Monday to Friday from 10.00 till 12.00 and

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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 13.00 till 15.00. There are currently 100 children aged from 4 to 8 years on roll. This setting also provides care for children over 8 years. Children attend from the local community. The setting supports a number of children with special educational needs. The setting employs 11 staff. All staff, including the manager, hold appropriate early years and play work qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's physical development is promoted well. Children have daily access to a range of physical activities within the sports hall. They regularly enjoy outings to places that test and develop their physical skills such as the Crocky Trail, where they negotiate various obstacles. Children know and understand the importance of good personal hygiene in order to keep themselves healthy. They have created a range of notices around the setting as reminders to others. These include signs within the toilet areas reminding children to wash their hands and keep germs away. Children are well protected due to good sickness, medication, accident and emergency procedures. These procedures are effectively carried out when on off site trips and ensure children's health and well being. Children are able to purchase a range of snacks, sweets and drinks from the snack bar. However these are not always healthy options. The staff have established links

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Helping children to be healthy

with the local "veggie man" and purchase fresh fruit from him during the week. Children are keen to purchase fruit such as bananas when they are available, however this is not always available on a daily basis. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of eating healthily through a range of planned activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The setting provides spacious facilities which are very welcoming to children and adults. Staff and children have created a fun, safe environment in which they can take part in a range of self chosen activities. The setting is generally well maintained. The children are very much at the heart of this setting and have a strong sense of belonging. The children are able to move freely around the well organised environment. Rooms are designed to provide different areas for rest, play and physical activities. Children's independence is fostered well as they choose their own resources and where to play. The risk of accidental injury is minimised in the well organised setting. Staff have clearly identified areas of concern and are proactive in reducing any potential risk to children. Children learn to keep themselves safe through planned activities and

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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 discussions. They have access to a range of organisations to enable them to seek further support and advice such as Bully Busters and Childline. Staff have a good understanding of child protection. All staff have undertaken appropriate training and are aware of any action they may need to take to protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have excellent opportunities to become engaged in a range of play and sports based activities. Staff have established very good relationships with the children who feel very safe and secure in their care. Staff spend considerable amounts of time talking and listening to children. They are highly skilled at supporting children and enabling them to become fully involved in self chosen activities. Children enjoy a range of exciting and interesting activities. Children become totally engaged in mod rock activities and work very well together to create their end product. The highly effective key worker system ensures children are very well supported in all aspects of care and play. Children's art work is attractively displayed around the setting. This effectively fosters the children's confidence and self esteem. Children are keen to show others their achievements and will bring their attention to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

specific pieces of work. Children have an excellent relationship with others, they have made firm friends and enjoy each others company. Children are often engaged in activities with friends, such as art activities or sitting together to watch TV. Children talk enthusiastically about trips they have been on, such as Disney Land and forthcoming events such as the Crocky Trail. The excitement at the thought that they will get very dirty during this trip is contagious. Children are eager to tell others of their favourite things to do, that they enjoy meeting their friends and the staff are "great". Children are at the core of this setting and their views are highly valued by the staff. They are encouraged to decide on how funding should be spent and have high levels of input into the purchase of new resources. Staff are skilled at meeting and supporting the individual needs of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the setting. Staff have built good relationships with the children that enable them to feel safe and secure. Staff obtain sufficient information to enable them to meet the individual needs of the children. Staff are proactive in ensuring all children are fully included in activities and outings. Additional staff support is available for children in order for them to participate fully. Children get on very well together, they learn the importance of sharing and taking turns for example, when using the snooker tables.

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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 Staff place strong emphasis on working together and building friendships through discussions and planned activities. Children learn about the world in which we live through a variety of activities such as a multicultural African day. However, there are limited positive images within the setting relating to race, gender and disability. Children are well behaved and respond well to staff's requests. Clear, safe boundaries enable children to know what is expected of them as individuals. This means children feel safe and secure in the environment. Staff work effectively with parents and outside agencies to ensure that children with special needs are appropriately catered for and have appropriate support systems in place. Clear written information keeps parents informed of the organisation of the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

setting and the range of activities provided to all children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the excellent leadership of the setting. The staff and managers work very well together to ensure all children are provided good quality care and play opportunities. Children are effectively protected as the organisation makes rigorous checks to ensure staff are suitable. All polices and documentation are in place and maintained to a high standard. The excellent organisation of the setting is recognised by the awarding of the Making Space kitemark. This means the setting was awarded additional funding for resources which were chosen by the children. The setting has made excellent links within the community and several local schools that enables them to provide additional sessions and improve upon the existing resources for children. Children are cared for in a very positive and supportive environment that actively contributes to their all round development. The setting has a strong commitment to

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Organisation

improvement, this is reflected in the programme for staff training and the seeking of additional funding to secure new resources and to fund various trips. All staff hold play work qualifications and have undertaken numerous in-house training opportunities to extend their skills, knowledge and understanding. This significantly enhances the children's health, safety and well being. Staff have very good opportunities to meet as a team to enable them to plan future activities and events. This has had a significant impact upon the care and activities provided to the children. Staffing levels are effectively organised to meet the needs of the children. This means children have excellent levels of positive interaction, attention and support. Overall, the needs of all the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The setting has enhanced the children's safety and well being in addressing the two recommendations from the last inspection. Children's arrival is now recorded within the daily register and parents sign all entries within the accident record.

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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

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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): • further enhance the children's access to healthy food and drink options from the snack bar

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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