Conker Club

Conker Club Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

507916 Unique Reference Number 11 September 2007 Inspection date Judith, Mary Butler Inspector

p.1

North Farnborough Infant School, Rectory Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 8AJ

p.1

E-mail

Conker Club Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Conker Out of School Club registered in 1995. It is managed by a committee of parents. The club operates from rooms within North Farnborough Infant School. Children have access to the school hall, library and computer room, play ground and field. A maximum of 26 children may attend at any one time. The club opens from 15:15 to 18:00 Monday to Friday term time only.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 58 children aged from five to under eight years on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The club serves children who attend the infant school. The club currently supports children with learning difficulties.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently six staff employed to work directly with the children. Of these, five hold relevant early years qualifications.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have daily access to a well equipped and fun outside area. They are confident in their physical skills and run, jump and climb with ease. Children access a good range of outside toys and equipment, including: sit and ride toys, bats, balls and climbing apparatus. Staff plan the sessions to include a great deal of time outside. They provide a range of resources set up for the children to make individual choices about what they wish to play with. Children enjoy their time outside and are able to 'let off steam' after a full day at school.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are independent and able to identify their own needs, for example, going to the toilet if they need to. They are aware of consistent hygiene procedures and line up to wash their hands before snack time. They know that they need to wash the germs off of their hands prior to having food and drink. Procedures and documentation are in place to protect the health of children and parents are requested to countersign all documentation completed about their child. However, the accident records hold insufficient detail to inform parents of accidents that have occurred to their child.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Staff provide children with a range of healthy, nutritious and fun snacks. Children are independent and really enjoy making their own sandwich, choosing and spreading the filling they have chosen. Children have access to drinking water throughout the session from the water fountain outside and on request when playing in the hall. Snack time is a sociable occasion, taken outside whenever possible. Children enjoy the opportunity to chat to each other and the staff and share their news during the show and tell session.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are clean, well maintained and welcoming to children. Children play freely within the hall and outside areas and there is sufficient space and facilities for their needs. Children enter the hall happily and with ease and are greeted enthusiastically by staff as they arrive. Staff undertake daily safety checks to minimize risks to children. Children are aware of keeping themselves safe, for example, they chat about holding the knife correctly when making their sandwich. Emergency evacuation procedures are displayed however; these processes are not regularly practised by the staff and children. Staff do not regularly record the evacuation process to evaluate any problems occurring.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff provide children with a good range of equipment within the playground and field. Children are confident in selecting the toys and resources they wish to use. Resources are appropriate for the age and stage of the children who attend. Staff sort and check the resources to ensure that they are safe and well maintained.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. They are clear about the routes for referral should they have a concern regarding a child in their care. Policies and procedures are in place; however these are not stored together and readily available for the inspection.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and happy in the setting. They select the toys and resources they wish to use from the range set up by staff prior to their arrival. Children approach staff to request further equipment and this is soon bought out from the shed. Staff are very aware that the children need to relax following their day at school. They allow children free choice regarding the activities they wish to take part in. Children really enjoyed helping to make the den over the fixed apparatus in the playground using brightly coloured material.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff provide children with a happy relaxed atmosphere. Children benefit from the high level of individual attention they receive from the staff. Children and staff play games together, for example, football and swing ball. Children are comfortable and at home in the friendly atmosphere, they develop good relationships with their peers and staff within the setting.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well behaved and share the toys and resources showing co-operation with others in their play. Staff offer general reminders about the expectations for behaviour and act as good role models. Children often remind each other of the expectations, for example, reminding each other to take turns when playing on the equipment outside. Children access a range of resources that reflect the society we live in, for example, dressing up clothes, books and small world toys. Children with identified learning difficulties receive a very high level of support within the sessions they attend.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Registration forms record children's individual needs and staff also exchange information with parents when they collect their child. This ensures staff are able to meet the needs of all children in their care. Parents receive information about the setting through the parent pack, notice board, newsletters and verbal communication that takes place each day.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Staff make effective use of the available space, and whenever possible provide children with a range of resources outside in the well equipped playground areas and field. Children move freely and confidently around all areas identified for their use. They choose the resources and toys they wish to use from the range available. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities within the setting.

p.4

Organisation

A recruitment process is in place and all staff have completed the relevant vetting procedures. Effective procedures are maintained to accurately record the time and days that children attend. All of the required documentation is in place, however, not all the information held is accurate and documents are not stored together to ensure they are readily available at all times. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was requested to review and update the documentation, ensure that all areas used by the children were safe and make the first aid box readily available.

p.4

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 All of the required documentation is now in place and the manager ensures these are reviewed on a regular basis. However, not all of the documentation is kept together or readily available for the inspection. The staff now complete a daily safety check and this ensures that the premises are safe and secure for the children who attend. A first aid box is now in place within the hall and further first aid resources are available within other areas of the school.

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 accident reports hold accurate and sufficient details of accidents occurring to children • provide children with regular opportunities to practise the emergency evacuation process and these are recorded to identify any areas of concern when completing the evacuation process • ensure all documentation is updated to hold the correct information, stored appropriately and readily available for the inspection

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5