Paintbox After School

Paintbox After School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Paintbox After School

Unique Reference Number EY236119 Inspection date 13 September 2005 Inspector June Cotton

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Paintbox After School

Setting Address Carlton House, The Mount, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 4RG

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E-mail

Registered person Maria Letizia Hudson 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?

Paintbox Out of School Club opened in January 2003. It operates from a large self-contained unit as a breakfast, after school and holiday club and serves the local area of Heswall, Wirral and, in particular, St Peter's Primary School. The children also have the use of the enclosed outside courtyard and a nearby park. A maximum of 24 children between the ages of 3 and 8 years may attend at any one time, children aged from 8 to 11 years may also attend. The group opens weekdays during school term time from 08:00 to 09:00 and from 15:30 to 18:00. They also offer holiday care from 08.00 to 18:00. There are currently 40 children aged from 3 to 11

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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 years on roll. Five staff work with the children, two of whom have a relevant qualification. Two of the staff work full time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of following good hygiene and health routines as they independently manage their own personal care. However, hand dryers are not always switched on and they all dry their hands on the same towel, this contributes to cross contamination. Children enjoy participating in a wide range of outdoor physical activities such as cricket or parachute games. They gain an awareness of the benefits of regular fresh air and exercise on a daily basis, weather permitting. Individual children gain confidence and test out their coordination and organisation skills in team games or small group activities. Children understand the importance of having regular drinks to stay healthy as they help themselves to drinks after playing vigorous games. Special dietary needs are recorded and respected when snacks are provided.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are secure and confident in the well-planned breakfast and after school and holiday club. Their well being is protected in daily risk assessments and the staff's good knowledge and understanding of health and safety policies and procedures. However, a record is not kept of visitors to the club. All the children demonstrate a sound understanding of emergency escape procedures when they have the opportunity to practise regular fire drills. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the club leader attends training on child protection issues and procedures. Children have an understanding of safety rules and understand and respect boundaries. They remind each other of the purpose of rules and look out for each others' safety when playing in the park, such as staying within set boundaries and wearing fluorescent vests. Activities are appropriately supervised to enable children to accept challenges and confidently test out their skills in a supportive environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They can choose from good quality resources and equipment which is easily accessed or available from staff members.

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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 Children are happy and confident and enjoy being together in the relaxed and friendly environment. They relate well to staff and each other and develop a strong sense of belonging as they readily contribute information through the ideas book and help to make the patchwork quilt. They are well supported by staff who skilfully adapt activities or introduce new ideas to involve children across the age range such as when they provide additional equipment to make extra dens. Children confidently accept challenges and persevere with good levels of concentration when they paint and mix primary colours to make brown. They make decisions and choose from the interesting range of stimulating activities and resources available. Adults and children communicate effectively and take time to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

listen and respond to each other in informal chats. Children's individual interests and preferences are recognised and provided for in energetic physical play or imaginative play and quiet, relaxing craft work. The children's creativity and imaginations are stimulated with the wide range of craft activities which are provided such as junk modelling, weaving, sewing and knitting. They particularly enjoy visits to the park where they play cricket, climb, swing and collect conkers and leaves, enhancing their physical development and interest in nature.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled, they have positive relationships with adults and relate well to one another. They are well behaved and are all involved and included in agreeing boundaries and standards of behaviour for the whole group when they help discuss the club's rules with new children so they know what is expected of them. The children's self-esteem is developed in a positive approach where staff offer children regular praise, celebrate success and value kind actions such as when they welcome new children and show them how to play new games. A fully inclusive environment enables children across the age range to be actively and confidently involved in all areas. Children play cooperatively and learn to negotiate successfully in a game of cricket and when making dens. All relevant information is gathered and shared with parents when children join the club through registration forms. Informal chats, letters and notices promote an effective

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Helping children make a positive contribution

partnership between staff and parents to support children in the setting

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in a calm, comfortable environment where they have fun choosing activities from the interesting available options and playing in the park. Staff are qualified and experienced in playwork as well as having up to date first aid and child protection training. They work effectively as a team as they assess and respond to the needs and interests of individuals. Children are appropriately supervised both indoors and outdoors and regular discreet head counts at the park ensure that all children are present.

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Organisation

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 required documentation is in place apart from a record of visitors to the setting. A comprehensive booklet of Paintbox policies is available for staff and parents and effective procedures are followed. 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

Some recommendations were made at the last inspection, these related to safety, staff clearances, policies and staff's knowledge of child protection. All current staff are fully cleared and vetted and the club manager has attended child protection training, these ensure that the children are well protected. Hazards in the garden have been removed and an outings policy has been devised, further ensuring the children's safety. Policies and procedures have been updated, promoting partnership with parents.

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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 that children's hygiene procedures in the bathroom are improved to further promote their health • develop staff's knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities to further promote diversity within the club • ensure that a record is kept of visitors to further ensure the children's safety.

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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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