The Camp

The Camp Inspection report for early years provision

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EY288824 Unique Reference Number 21 February 2008 Inspection date Charlotte Jenkin Inspector

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Unit 8, Whitewalls, Easton Grey, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 0RD Setting Address

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E-mail

Catherine Louise Bolwell 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 Camp Out of School Club opened in 2004 and operates from a single purpose building situated on a small industrial estate at Easton Grey, Malmesbury. A maximum of 40 children may attend the club at any one time. The club opens each weekday from 15.00 to 18.00 during term time, and 08.00 to 18.00 in the school holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 106 children aged four to under eight years of age on roll. Children come from a wide catchment area. The club supports children with special needs. Children have access to toilet facilities, an enclosed indoor physical play area, an open play space downstairs and an upstairs area for relaxing and free play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club employs five staff and all of these, including the manager, hold appropriate qualifications.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and rest in warm, clean premises. Staff are consistent in implementing hygienic routines in the setting and children are encouraged to practise appropriate hand washing routines. However, on the day of the inspection the group had run out of paper towels and children were sharing hand towels that were changed during the session. This has the potential to put the children at risk from cross infection. Children benefit from staff's up to date knowledge of first aid and their awareness of the correct administrative procedures to follow if children have an accident or require medication whilst in their care. This promotes the children's health and safety whilst in the provision.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff gain information from parents regarding children's dietary need and allergies prior to them entering the group. This information is recorded and any needs are met. Children bring their own lunches to the group and in hot weather they are asked to bring in ice packs and there is a fridge available for storing perishable foods. Children are able to buy snacks form the 'Tuck Shop' and although this includes a healthy option of fruit, the remaining items are not nutritious and do not encourage children to develop a positive attitude towards healthy eating. Children have access to drinking water and are encouraged by staff to have regular drinks. This ensures children have enough fluids throughout the session.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to physical activity throughout each session. There is a large netted indoor play area where children demonstrate a positive attitude towards exercise, being keen to play football and basketball during the day. Children have their physical skills promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in welcoming premises where space is well organised to meet the needs of the children. There is a large area for physical play, tables and chairs downstairs for eating and art and craft activities and upstairs for relaxing playing with equipment, watching televisions and playing computer games. Children have access to a wide range of interesting toys and equipment that covers all areas of development. They are able to access those toys they wish to play with and do so with confidence. Staff are very aware of their responsibilities regarding the maintenance of toys and this ensures children play with toys that are safe, suitable and age appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in safe premises, free from risks as staff have identified potential hazards to the children and minimised these to promote safety and prevent accidents in the setting. For example, the kitchen is inaccessible to the children, the premises are secure and cleaning materials are out of reach. Children are able to move freely both downstairs and upstairs and play in safety. Staff remind the children of the rules, which they adhere to. For example, not to climb up the netting in the soft play area and not to use the fire exit upstairs as it makes a loud noise. All fire precautions are in place and the evacuation plan is practised with the children to monitor its effectiveness in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted in the setting as staff have a sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. The group's child protection

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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 duties are formally shared with parents on the notice board, and this encourages the children's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enter the group with confidence and are keen to participate in the activities. For example, playing football, drawing and playing with construction sets. They demonstrate a positive attitude towards their play, and confidently access the activities of their choosing. For example, the dolls, play station and cars. Children play well together co-operatively, engaged in imaginative play. They are able to work well independently as well, with children choosing to relax and have time playing the play station. Children form good relationships with peers, talking to one another during activities and helping one another with tasks. Children are keen to participate in the planned activities, going to staff to join in with the painting activity, where they help one another draw around their bodies, and choose the coloured paints they need to paint in the picture. Children confidently talk to others about what they are doing, including

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the detail they wish to put on their pictures. Children readily approach staff, to seek assistance or to join in with playing games, which they respond well to. Staff are warm towards the children and interact well with them. Children demonstrate a sense of belonging in the group and are keen to take responsibility, for example, when helping to tidy up, knowing the rules and being familiar with all the toys and resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff plan a varied and interesting range of activities for the children. They are able to access art and craft activities, engage in imaginative play, play games, relax and play computer games or read and also participate in physical exercise. Children are actively encouraged to contribute to planning, telling staff the activities they enjoy and having free access to toys and equipment throughout the session.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by staff who respect them, value them and include them in all activities and routines of the group. All children participate in all activities and this was noted during the painting activity where both boys and girls were all involved together, helping draw around one another. This promotes their self-esteem in the group. Children have access to resources that promote positive images of diversity in their play and participate in activities that help them develop respect for the lives of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. Staff reinforce the rules they must adhere to ensure they promote the safety of themselves and their peers. Staff are very good role models to the children. They are polite and respectful to them and ensure they are well engaged in their play. Staff demonstrate a sound knowledge of appropriate techniques to use for managing children's behaviour, including praise and encouragement. Children play well together and form good relationships with peers. They share and take turns and include others in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the solid partnership with parents as staff gain information from parents regarding children's individual needs and these are well met by them. The detailed notice board offers a range of information for parents and the policy file is available for them to view. Information for parents has been updated to include session times and details the activities

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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 available for their children. Children are able to take home their art work to share with their parents at the end of the session.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Children are cared for by suitable and well qualified staff. Staff retention is good so no recruitment has been necessary, however, the Manager is well aware of the procedures to follow to ensure adults in contact with children are suitable to do so. The register is accurate and shows a true record of the times the children are in the care of the staff. Staff maintain the required adult to child ratios at all times and this means children receive appropriate adult support as staff are able to sit with the children, interact with them and engage them in play. Hence, children are relaxed and at ease in the welcoming environment and are well engaged in purposeful play.

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Organisation

All required documentation is kept on premises, stored securely and is readily available for inspection. All necessary consents have been gained form parents regarding their child participating in all activities and routines of the group. Hence, children's well-being is promoted and they are cared for in line with parents' wishes. Most policies and procedures are in place and implemented consistently by staff. This promotes and the children's welfare and care. However, the uncollected child policy has not been updated to include procedures for dealing with lost children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the setting agreed to combine the already well documented information in order to strengthen new parents knowledge of all that the setting has to offer.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The setting has updated information given to parents regarding the service it provides and this includes service times, activities offered to the children and having a policy file available to parents at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection no complaints have been made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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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Complaints 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): • ensure children are encouraged to develop an awareness of healthy eating and that snacks available for them to buy are nutritious • ensure the uncollected child policy is updated to include procedures for dealing with lost children

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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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