Morley Newlands Academy

Hanslope 326 Club Inspection report for early years provision

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141797 Unique Reference Number 03 March 2008 Inspection date Christine Cutts Inspector

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Hanslope County Combined School, Long Street, Hanslope, Buckinghamshire, MK19 7BL

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E-mail

The Trustees of Hanslope After School Clubs Registered person Childcare Type of inspection 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 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?

The 326 Club opened in 1997. It operates from two school halls within the local village school. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The club supports children with special needs. They open five days a week 50 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 15:00 until 18:00 term time only and from 08:00 until 18:00 holidays only. There are currently 64 children on roll. Three part time and three full time staff work with the children. Three have early years qualifications. The club receives support from a mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children recognise the importance of being healthy. The club promotes positive messages of healthy food, by supplying fruit occasionally for snacks, they also have fruit jelly pots and low sugar squash, which helps the children develop their understanding of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Generally children's hygiene is promoted. Children follow good personal hygiene routines, they are independent in self-care skills, helping to prevent the spread of infection, for example they know to wash their hands after using the toilets and before snacks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is well promoted as staff have relevant first aid training and implement effective hygiene procedures to minimise the risk of infection. However, the first aid box is not fully stocked with in date items.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are treated appropriately if they become unwell or are injured, staff reassure and comfort children and parents are contacted to collect their children. All documentation is in place to ensure children's health is maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a well-organised and safe play space which allows them to choose between quiet and more boisterous activities. They access a good range of well maintained and good quality play equipment and resources which are carefully selected to ensure that they are developmentally appropriate for the children present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussions with staff. Children know not to leave the hall unless they have informed a member of staff and understand that staff need to know where they are in order to keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe because the staff identify areas of risk and remove them. The groups resources and equipment are safe and regularly checked including electrical equipment and fire extinguishers. However, fire drills are not recorded to ensure they are undertaken routinely. The implementation of effective systems, such as the arrival and collection of children and the recording of visitors contribute to ensuring children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff have a good understanding of the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child. They follow the setting's child protection procedure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are enthusiastic and self-assured in the club's welcoming environment, they enjoy this time at the end of the school day when they can relax and be active, in accordance with their needs and interests. Children can sit and chat with their friends, sit quietly or play more boisterous games, such as dodge ball.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a range of well maintained resources that children can choose from, and a good balance of adult and child initiated games help children to make progress and enjoy themselves. Good quality, stimulating toys provide choice and challenge. Children very much enjoy the construction toys, making jets, rocket back packs and water pistols. Many children enjoy reading books or free painting garden and flowers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the enthusiasm of the staff who join in the children's play, offering consistent praise and encouragement, which builds children's confidence and self esteem enabling them to develop new skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 have evident good relations with the children who are happy to chat to the staff about their school experiences and home life developing their sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show good levels of confidence and self-esteem because the staff praise and encourage them continuously, helping to increase their sense of achievement. This means that relationships they build with staff and other children are positive experiences. They play well and cooperate with each other, taking turns and sharing popular pieces of equipment, such as the mini football game.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit because staff have a secure knowledge of the children's needs. The children gain an awareness of themselves and an understanding of the wider world through, socialising together and being part of the school community. A range of resources that reflect diversity are available for children to use, including dolls, puzzles and books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are well met. The club and play scheme are able to support children with learning difficulties and children for whom English is an additional language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit greatly from strong relationships between staff and parents and secure links between home and the setting. Partnerships with parents are good and parents support the club and staff, happy with the care provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Staff have the opportunity for professional development and the registered provider actively encourages staff to attend training. Staff morale is good and the team work well together to promote children's health, enjoyment and achievement.

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Organisation

Most policies and procedures are effectively implemented. Children benefit from qualified and experienced staff, who are very caring. All children receive good support from a staff group that enjoy their company and know them well, helping them to feel secure and confident. Information kept about children is relevant and helps promote their welfare, and regular informal discussions with parents ensure continuity of care for the children. Children enjoy coming to the setting and have fun while they are there.

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Organisation

Overall, the setting meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provision was asked to devise and implement a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious and make sure parents are made aware of it. Children are further protected from cross infection with the implementation of a sick children's policy which is shared with parents. The club was also asked to ensure parents are informed through feedback, about the children's activities and progress. Parents now have information about the children's activities through newsletters, notice boards and activity sheets as well as through verbal exchanges with staff at pick up times.

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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 In addition the club were asked to ensure staff recognise and extend play opportunities that may arise through children's play. The children benefit from the enthusiastic staff's involvement in the children's games; during the play scheme children have a planning day when they can choose all the activities from photos of the resources available. The group were also asked to ensure that all visitors to the club sign in and out. Children's safety is enhanced by the introduction of a visitors' book, visitors are challenged, identified and asked to sign the visitors' book.

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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 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): • ensure the first aid box is fully stocked and contents meet current requirements • ensure fire drills are carried out regularly and recorded in fire log.

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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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