West Berkshire Mencap

Services

Inspection report for early years provision

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Services

Unique Reference Number 955621 Inspection date 01 August 2005 Inspector Melissa Cox

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Services

Setting Address Enborne Gate, Enborne Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 6AT

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Services

Telephone number 01635 41464 E-mail administrator@westberkshiremencap.org Registered person West Berkshire Mencap Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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Services

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?

West Berkshire Mencap Children's Services are provided by West Berkshire Mencap, a registered charity. The out of school care services, which first started in 1997, meet in the Mencap Centre building, which is owned and run by the charity. The centre is purpose built and facilities include a large hall, a multi-sensory room, a quiet room and an enclosed outdoor play area. Children attending have learning disabilities and come from all areas of West Berkshire. Facilities offered include a holiday playscheme, Saturday schemes and an after school club.

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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 The playscheme operates for a number of weeks during school holidays, offering activities and care for 25 children aged 3 to 8 years. This meets on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 9:30 and 15:30. 'Sat Fun' meets one Saturday per month, offering activities and care for ten children aged 5 to 10 years between 9:30 and 12:30 and 13:30 and 16:30. 'Share Our Saturdays' meets on two Saturdays per month, offering activities and care for twelve children aged over 8 years between 10a.m. and 4p.m. After school clubs meet during term time only. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, the 'Active Zone' catering for 12 children aged 4 to 19 years, operates between 15:30 and 18:00 .On Thursdays, between 16:30 and 18:30, the 'Fit Club' caters for a maximum of 12 more able children. The Children's Activities Officer and

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

the leaders of all the Clubs have or are undertaking early years qualifications. A variety of staff are employed during the year, as well as volunteers. The number of children on roll varies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's good health is promoted effectively by staff who demonstrate an excellent knowledge of the procedures for promoting health and hygiene. Staff consistently wearing disposable gloves and aprons for nappy changing, sustains high levels of hygiene and helps prevent the spread of infection. Children explore, test and develop physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. They explore the neon lights in the sensory room and investigate the bubbles in the vibrating light tube. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs. Staff's excellent knowledge and understanding of each child's disability and individual needs, ensures that children are able to try new skills within safe limits. Children's healthy growth and development are fostered well as staff show an excellent understanding of their individual dietary requirements. Children frequently

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Helping children to be healthy

access drinks during the day and staff meet requests for extra water to quench their thirst during the hot weather. Meal times are sociable and staff are aware of children who may have special dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children use a good range of safe, good quality, developmentally appropriate resources. Play areas are spacious and welcoming for all the children. The children are made to feel confident and secure in their environment through the good

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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 deployment of staff who work directly with them. Staff's awareness of children's developing abilities helps to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place to avoid dangerous situations. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because staff are extremely vigilant and use thorugh risk assessments to reduce hazards. Children use high quality specialist equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development. All children are safe and included because of the sensitive adult support and well planned adaptations to resources and activities. Regular communication with parent's also contributes to children's safety. Children are very well protected by staff who have a clear understanding of child protection policies and procedures and give high priority to the children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Children are enthusiastic and self-assured in the club's welcoming environment. All children arrive happy and eager to participate. Those who are new to the setting are helped to settle by staff who are sensitive towards their individual needs. The children make excellent progress because staff recognise the uniqueness of each child. The activities and experiences for all children are rich and varied meeting their individual needs very well. All staff are skilled and sensitive to the management of the children and their behaviour. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them to develop a strong sense of self. Children are very well supported by staff who are skilled at encouraging children to extend their experiences and at listening and talking to them. Staff regularly evaluate the activities they provide to ensure the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children take part in activities that offer suitable challenge and promote their wellbeing and development. There is an excellent range of well maintained resources which are used to interest children and develop their learning. For example: the multi sensory room and specially adapted outdoor area. Children throughout the setting are motivated and become engrossed in a wide range of developmentally appropriate activities, indoor and outdoor, which provide good levels of challenge. Children are begining to make sense of the world and express their ideas as they join in a diverse range of exploratory and sensory experiences. The staff have excellent relationships with parents and co-operate well to meet each child's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are welcomed and play a full part in the setting because staff value and respect their individuality and the family context for each child. Staff support less able children in sharing and turn taking. They have high expectations and set consistent boundaries which helps children learn to negotiate with others and take responsibility

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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 for their behaviour. Staff increase children's understanding of right and wrong, children respond well to gentle reminders to care for their environment and each other Children develop a positive attitude to others through varied positive images displayed around the setting. They visit the local community and develop a secure knowledge of the wider world. An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's wellbeing in the setting. Staff actively seek parent's views about their children's needs and interests before the child starts at the setting and on a regular basis throughout their time there. Staff ensure that all parents know how their child is progressing and developing. As a result, staff work together with parents, carers and other professional bodies to organise the environment and plan appropriate activities to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

ensure the children take part at a level appropriate to their needs. Children benefit greatly from their involvement in the setting, which contributes to their good health, safety, development and learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is significantly enhanced by the setting’s effective and efficient organisation. Staff working with the children are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and consistently promote the children's wellbeing in line with the comprehensive and robust polices and procedures. Staff and volunteers demonstrate a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities with relevant induction procedures and good opportunities to receive further training. This is used to help develop their skills in organising the provision, to meet the children's needs, keep them healthy and safeguarding their welfare. The manager is dynamic, enthusiastic, and well informed about special needs. The senior management team monitor and evaluate the provision through regular meetings, training and promoting the personal development of all the staff. The group have an effective plan which they are following to ensure that they will have suitably

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Organisation

qualified staff .This dedication to improvement results in a happy and focussed team who work effectively meeting the personal development and achievements of all the children. The team of staff and volunteers work together very well and cover the activities on offer effectively so that children's play is supported and extended. They organise the indoor and outdoor space effectively and rotate activities through the week so that all children may experience them equally. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 The last Children Act Inspection required the provider to develop effective procedures to be followed if a child becomes ill whilst at the centre and to prevent the spread of infection; ensure that the complaints procedure includes the details of Ofsted as regulator; ensure that the times of arrival and departure of children are recorded in the register; make available the child protection procedures to parents. The group have made significant improvements which promote the children staying safe. Clear and robust procedures for complaints, sickness and recording the attendance have been implemented. Updating the documentation, policies and procedures ensure staff recognise their responsibilities and roles towards the children's care. As a result children's safety and well being is protected well because

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Improvements since the last inspection

staff are able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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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): • to continue to follow the action plan to ensure half of staff hold appropriate qualifications

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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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