North Star 265°

Isleworth Explorers Club Inspection report for early years provision

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149843 Unique Reference Number 14 February 2008 Inspection date Doreen Forsyth Inspector

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Isleworth Explorers Club, Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 7EU

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E-mail

Isleworth Explorers Club 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Isleworth Explorers Club's holiday play scheme and out of school club opened in 1999; it is a registered charity with a management committee. The club operates from a purpose built centre situated in Isleworth, Middlesex.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting is registered to care for up to 16 children aged between four and eight years old at any one time; currently there are 15 children aged under eight on roll. The after school club is open each weekday from 15:00 until 18:00 during term times. The holiday scheme operates during most school holidays. The setting welcomes children that have learning difficulties or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are three members of staff working with the children. The manager holds an appropriate qualification and one member of staff has a level 2 qualification. Extra staff help at the holiday club as needed.

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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 are protected from infection as they are encouraged to follow good hygiene routines such as washing their hands before eating. One member of the out of school club staff has current first aid training. The club has the necessary records and procedures in place if children have accidents or require medication, but parents' permission for the setting to seek emergency medical assistance if necessary is not obtained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy very nutritious and well-balanced teas at the after school club and the daily menu is displayed for parents. At the holiday club parents provide packed lunches. Children can access or ask for drinking water whenever they wish. If children have any special dietary requirements these are noted and observed.

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Helping children to be healthy

At present children have very limited opportunities to rest, although there are some comfortable chairs in the club room. The setting plans a quiet/homework room.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for physical activities. They occasionally play outside on the Astroturf area and have free use of the 'Do Jo', or sports hall. They play team games such as football. In the school holidays, children have many other opportunities for physical activities such as going swimming or bowling.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure and safe environment. They have use of a club room and large sports hall as well as adequate toilets and changing rooms. Staff have risk assessed the premises and have identified most potential hazards. Security locks with number pads and cameras ensure children's security is well promoted. All the required fire safety equipment is in place, but the poster informing of the fire procedures is not displayed in the club room and the children do not practise the fire evacuation procedures regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy using the large hall but the resources for physical activities are fairly limited. There are many computers, play stations and a 'WII' which the children love to use, but there are less resources for craft activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the manager understands his role in child protection, but not all the necessary policies and procedures are in place and the setting does not have good access to the relevant contact details.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy attending the club and arrive back eagerly from school ready for their tea and to play. The staff collect the children from their schools each day in minibuses. They are then recorded into the club and decide what they would like for tea. They enjoy tea together, chatting and interacting very well with each other. Children then take part in organised activities, such as team games, using the electronic toys, craft activities and sports. Children are relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings.

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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 When at the holiday club, children go out on organised trips almost everyday, for example, they visit theme parks, places of interest, go swimming, or visit the cinema. This is a popular aspect of the provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the setting, including those that may have a disability or learning difficulties. The toys and resources that are used by the children do not clearly reflect the multicultural community that the setting serves. The children behave very well and understand the rules of the club. Staff have high expectations of the children's behaviour. The setting's written behaviour policy is shared with parents. Children relate well to each other and to the staff. The children are courteous and learn to consider the needs of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are given a suitable information pack that contains all the club policies and procedures, including a complaints procedure. However, the complaints procedure details are not up to date and the setting does not have a complaint log in place to share with parents if necessary. Parents are kept informed of their children's progress and achievements at the club by informal discussion at the end of each session.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All staff that work with the children are suitably vetted and undergo an appropriate vetting, induction and employment procedure. Any adults that have not been vetted do not have unsupervised contact with the children. All the club staff have relevant training or experience, including appropriate training in driving the minibuses.

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Organisation

Most of the records that are necessary to promote children's health, safety and well-being are in place, but the children's attendance is not recorded until they reach the club, instead of as they are collected from school which poses a risk to their safety. Staff and visitors' attendance is not well recorded. Adequate adult/child ratios are always maintained. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the club was set two recommendations regarding parents signing accident forms and the records of children's attendance. Parents now always sign the accident records when necessary. The record of attendance now has children's full names on and parents sign the children out of the club. Some improvement is still necessary regarding the records of children's attendance to help ensure children's safety at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint, relating to National Standard 3 - Care, learning and play, National Standard 6 - Safety, and National Standard 12 - Working in partnership with parents and carers. Concerns were raised in relation to the security of the premises, relationships with parents, the welfare of children and the level of supervision. Ofsted asked the provider to conduct an internal investigation. Following the response from the provider, there was an announced visit by an inspector. Evidence was found that the provider was meeting these National Standards, but an action was set under National Standard 14 -

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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 Documentation. A suitable response to this action was received from the provider. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 satisfactory. 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 staff, children and visitors' attendance is accurately recorded • obtain parents' written permission for the setting to seek emergency medical assistance if necessary • ensure that all the required safeguarding children procedures are in place and are understood by all the staff • ensure a suitable complaints procedure and complaints log are in place which conform with current legislation.

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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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