Treetops Kids Club

Treetops Kids Club Inspection report for early years provision

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511155 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2008 Inspection date Juliette Jennings Inspector

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c/o Holy Cross C of E Junior School, Childrens Way, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6LE

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E-mail

Julia Lewis 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?

Treetops Kids Club is located in the Springfield area of Shrewsbury in Shropshire. The group uses a demountable building which is adjacent to, and within the grounds of, Holy Cross Junior School.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group serve the local and wider area and is open Monday to Friday from 08.00 until 18.00 during holiday time and for before and after school sessions during term time. There are currently 215 children on roll. The children can access a variety of sessions and follow a relaxed routine which accommodates a mixture of free choice and planned activities. They have access to the extensive school grounds for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are six members of staff who work with the children, four of whom hold suitable early years qualifications. The staff access regular training on early years issues and receive support from the local authority.

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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 good. Children are encouraged to eat healthily and enjoy a balanced menu that offers a variety of snacks and drinks, for example, melon, other fruits, breadsticks, crackers and cheese, juice, water and milk. In addition, children bring their own packed lunches to enjoy during the holiday period and a social time is encouraged where children talk about favourite foods. Drinking water is readily available at all times, through the provision of a water machine.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good hygiene procedures are implemented to ensure that the environment children use is clean. Children are reminded to wash their hands and are encouraged to keep the space that they use clean and tidy. Staff have accessed appropriate training to ensure that they know how to implement the thorough setting procedures that are in place. In addition, children's health is supported because clear procedures are in place which include accident records, risk assessments and hygiene policies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good access to the outdoor area and can engage in free play or planned activities which help to promote their physical development well. Staff are good at supporting children in their chosen activities and develop activities depending on what they are interested in. Children enjoy skittles, football, ball games and obstacle courses which helps support their physical development and awareness of space.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children use a colourful, stimulating environment which allows them good opportunities to relax after a busy day at school and enjoy their holiday periods. They confidently access a wide variety of favourite toys, activities and resources which are all readily available within their reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are procedures in place for ensuring that the environment is safe and there were no safety issues highlighted at this inspection. Security is good and staff utilise a radio system which allows them to be in touch with whoever is outside with the children who choose to enjoy fresh air and light, within the routine of the session. Arrangements for fire safety are good, practised regularly and clearly outline procedures so that staff would be able to deal with an evacuation situation, thus helping to ensure that children remain safe. However, the lost child procedure does not clearly highlight a timescale or an area for a search. This potentially places children's safety at risk in this event should staff be unclear about how long and where to conduct a search for missing children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted effectively through clear policies and procedures which outlines what staff should do if they have a concern about any of the children in relation to child protection. Staff access training on a regular basis to ensure that they know about current procedures and guidance.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The space is organised well so that children can choose to relax and engage in their favourite pastimes, for example, watching DVD's, enjoying computer games, reading books, baking, experimenting with different paint techniques and engaging in role play. In addition, they utilise the outdoor space to participate in outdoor games such as football, ball games and adventure style obstacle courses. Children are relaxed, happy, secure and confident in the environment. They develop good relationships with staff and can spend time with their friends in a child-orientated space. Activities, toys and resources are age-appropriate, engage the children and keep them busy and occupied.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The routine focuses on children's choice and accommodates plenty of child-initiated play. There is good support from adults, who have a relaxed, friendly and fun manner to which children relate well. Planned activities support this free play environment, with staff giving some structure by including a range of interesting, motivating and exciting structured activities which children obviously enjoy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's independence and self-esteem is supported well. They are given responsibilities within the setting and are able to choose freely from the range of resources on offer, knowing what is available to them and readily accessing their favourite activities. Their individual needs, likes and dislikes are accommodated and staff know them very well, having a friendly, fun and relaxed relationship with them. Children's understanding of diversity and the world around them is developed well through planned activities, themed activities, posters, books, small world toys and other recourses. There are good procedures in place for supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and staff work closely with parents to support all children in an inclusive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well-behaved and know what is acceptable behaviour within the setting. They are reminded by staff in a positive way about the rules of the setting and have helped to draw up consistent and fair basic rules. Staff talk to children in an age-appropriate way, supporting good manners and a respectful ethos. There are clear procedures available to ensure that inappropriate behaviour is dealt with quickly and in a way which children can understand.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good with staff able to discuss issues in an informal way on a daily basis. Documentation is in place which allows the setting to accommodate children's individual needs, likes and dislikes thus ensuring a consistent care approach. Parents are given clear and detailed information about the club and its daily operation.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children thoroughly enjoy a club which is well organised and operates smoothly, with detailed policies and procedures which work effectively in practice. However, the complaints procedure does not contain up-to-date contact details for the regulator and the child protection procedure does not contain information about the role of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Other records and documentation is maintained in line with requirements and in good order and this ensures that children are cared for consistently.

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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 Staff work very well together as a team and this enables the children to enjoy their time at the club and spend time with siblings and friends in a relaxed atmosphere. Staff access regular training and know about their responsibilities and this helps to ensure that the club facility is exciting and interesting to children. Most staff are appropriately qualified in childcare or play work and staffing ratios are maintained appropriately. Appropriate procedures are in place to ensure that children are cared for by adults who are suitable to do so. Induction procedures are thorough and ensure that staff, children and parents know about how the club operates.

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Organisation

The space is organised well and allows children to happily engage in their favourite activities with their friends. Staff are aware of the importance of allowing children to relax after a busy day at school and provide a wide range of interesting and exciting activities. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the setting was asked to make sure that medication records detail parental signatures to acknowledge administration of medication. This is now in place on medication records so that parents are informed about any administration of medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

In addition, the setting was asked to make sure that uncollected child and illness policies are comprehensive and in line with requirements. This has been acted on so that staff have basic procedures to follow, although the lost child procedure would benefit from more detail. This has been raised as a recommendation at this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Finally, the setting was asked to seek and act on advice given with regard to the safety of the fluorescent strip lights. These have now been fitted with covers, thus ensuring children's safety from potential hazards in relation to these lights.

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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):

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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 • update the complaints procedure so that it includes the current contact details of Ofsted and the child protection procedure so that it includes information about the role of the Local Safeguarding Children Board • extend the procedure for missing children so that it includes a timescale and details of the area to be searched.

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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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