The Catch St James Care Provision Ltd

The Catch St James Care Provision Ltd Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343834 Unique Reference Number 14 May 2008 Inspection date Tara Street Inspector

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St. James C of E Primary School, Chadwick Street, GLOSSOP, Derbyshire, SK13 8EF

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Setting Address

01457 852 427 Telephone number office@st-james.derbyshire.sch.uk E-mail The Catch St James Care Provision Ltd Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, Sessional care, Out of School care Type of care

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Setting Address

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?

The Catch, St James Care Provision Ltd, originally opened in 2003, and changed its title in 2006. It operates from St. James C of E Primary School in the old nursery unit, school hall and library room in the town of Glossop, Derbyshire. There is a secure enclosed outdoor play area. The extended sessional day care facilities and out of school club serves children who attend the school from the local area and surrounding villages.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of 40 children from three years to eight years may attend the setting at any one time. The setting opens five days a week during school term only. Sessions are from 7.50 to 9.00 and 3.30 to 18.00. There are currently 35 children from three years to 11 years on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting is owned by a limited company made up of directors, including the head teacher, who delegates day to day responsibility to the staff.

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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's health is appropriately maintained. They are developing a clear awareness of their own personal hygiene as they follow daily routines and are encouraged by the staff to be independent. Children confidently go to the toilet unaided and understand why they must wash their hands after using the toilet, messy activities and before snack. Their understanding of maintaining healthy practices is supported by the staff, who offer timely reminders and role model good practice which minimises the risk of cross-infection. The premises are clean and well maintained. Children are encouraged to help with daily tasks such as clearing away the snack pots and cups, helping to develop their understanding of hygiene. Children are appropriately cared for in an emergency as staff have a clear awareness of how to deal with any minor injuries. However, records of accidents which occur during the breakfast club are

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Helping children to be healthy

not signed by parents and written permission for seeking treatment in an emergency is not in place for all children, potentially impacting on their health and well-being. A clear sickness policy ensures parents are aware of exclusion periods for children who are unwell, safeguarding them against the risk of infection and illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a healthy and nutritious variety of snacks. Children sit in a family group at snack time, making it a pleasant and social occasion. They are provided with a wide variety of foods such as croissants, pita bread with lettuce, cucumber and peppers, beans on toast, soup and sandwiches along with a variety of fresh fruits. Children are encouraged and supported to be independent and serve themselves and others at the table. Drinks of water, milk and juice are provided at snack time and children are able to independently access fresh drinking water throughout each session. Interesting topics and activities help children to understand why some foods are healthier than others and lots of variety helps them to make positive choices about their food. Staff actively seek information about any individual dietary needs and ensure any food or drink provided is suitable for the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are effectively supported to develop a healthy lifestyle and physical skills. Activities are adapted age-appropriately for the wide age range of children who attend. They move with confidence and an awareness of personal safety throughout the premises. Regular use of small tools such as pencils, scissors, paint brushes and a variety of construction toys, help children develop their fine manipulative skills competently. Regular opportunities to play outdoors are planned and children enjoy playing group games such as football and cricket, as well as playing with hoops, balls, space hoppers, skipping ropes and a range of sports equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from warm and welcoming premises. A wide range of attractive displays of children's artwork help to develop their sense of belonging within the setting and create a homely atmosphere. They have access to a good range of appropriate toys and resources that meet their developmental needs which are clean and safe to use. However, the story area is not presented in a welcoming manner and does not offer children easy access to the books. Daily activities are suitably organised to enable children to make individual choices about their play and to allow children of different age's appropriate space to play and rest.

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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 Children are cared for in a setting where risks are identified and minimised and all reasonable steps taken to ensure they are cared for in a secure environment. Children experience good levels of supervision and appropriate safety equipment is in place to ensure hazards are reduced. Staff are well deployed within the setting and the premises are kept secure whilst children are present. Regular checks ensure that safety aspects are always carefully considered and a clear risk assessment, site security and fire prevention strategy are also used to best effect in ensuring children can play safely and enjoy their time before and after school. Children's knowledge and understanding is further promoted because the setting regularly invites the local fire and police officer to the setting during their topic on safety. A clear policy and procedure for lost or

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

uncollected children is in place and understood by all staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as all staff working with the children have a good understanding of their role in child protection and are fully aware of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. They have appropriate policies and written guidance materials, which enables them to recognise concerns and to take any appropriate action.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well in the out of school care facility and have a friendly relationship with the staff, who create a happy environment in which children can play. They are encouraged to experience activities by staff who support them and encourage the less-confident children to enjoy their time at the setting. Within the room the staff lay out an appropriate selection of activities that encourage the children to develop emotionally, physically and intellectually. These include role play resources, colouring sheets, puzzles, construction activities and outside play equipment. They are changed daily to keep children interested, refresh their learning and are supportive of the child's age or level. However, the children are unable to access their own activities and resources as the setting does not currently have appropriate child-friendly storage and this impacts on their ability to be independent.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are kept interested and stimulated with a suitable range of different games and activities. They sit at the creative table and draw imaginative pictures, confidently using the pencils and stamps, and discuss what they are doing with each other and staff. Other children enjoy playing with the role-play travel agents. They take reservations from children and staff for a stay at the 'Hotel Diamond' and use the keyboard and till to confirm the date and take a deposit. Children have a suitable range of opportunities to use their imagination as they draw, make things from dough and experiment with shaving foam, rice and jelly. There is plenty of space for children to move around and they move freely between the activities. Children are beginning to develop their awareness of nature and the environment around them because they enjoy walks in the school grounds to collect materials to use in craft activities or examine

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

under magnifying glasses such as snails, twigs and leaves. They participate in a good range of planned themes and topics throughout the year including road safety, healthy eating, rainforest creatures, climate change and enjoy entering a wide range of competitions such as 'Young Poets' which promotes their self-esteem and confidence. An appropriate balance of rest and active times are offered throughout each session and children are able to make up their own games, play outside, or chat to their friends after a long day at school.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and their individual needs are met well since the staff obtain all the relevant information. They work closely with parents and have a good understanding of equal opportunity issues and how this affects practice. Children use a good selection of playthings and activities that help them to understand their own backgrounds and the wider society. Books, puzzles, small world toys, craft activities and discussions are used as part of children's everyday play, while interesting themes help them to understand the significance of special days and different festivals such as Chinese New Year and Mardi Gras. Although there are no children currently attending the setting who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities a clear policy is in place which details how the service will be provided to children. This is supported by the staff's clear understanding of providing care which includes

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Helping children make a positive contribution

them in the life of the setting through discussing their needs with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a clear commitment to seeking children's ideas and suggestions for how the club can be improved. The children are learning responsibility, understanding and to care about each other. This results in children developing a strong sense of self-worth because they are made to feel that they matter. Children behave well, showing a clear understanding of what is expected of them. They are always treated fairly and staff have clear, reasonable expectations that the children respond well to. Stickers and certificates are used effectively to reward children for positive behaviour such as being helpful, kind and playing well together and staff are effective in their use of positive praise and in setting good examples, which the children follow.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff form friendly relationships with parents as they exchange verbal information at the start and end of each session, keeping parents informed about what the children have been doing and the care they have received. Parents are provided with clear information about the club facilities through a notice board, newsletters and access to the policies and procedures. Parental views are also sought through an annual evaluation form which is used well by staff to address any areas for improvement. A clear complaints procedure is in place and made available for parents. However, the setting's policy does not contain the regulator's correct contact details, potentially impacting on the effective sharing of information with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The welfare, care and learning of the children is generally promoted through the maintenance of records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision. Details kept of parents and children are stored securely and staff have a clear understanding of confidentiality issues. A clear register of attendance is in place with children's times of arrival and departure, ensuring ratios are maintained at all times, which enables the setting to provide appropriate activities for the ages and numbers attending.

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Organisation

Since the last inspection most of the staff team have changed and this includes a new co-ordinator, who is only recently in post. The co-ordinator has a clear vision for the setting and has implemented plans to improve the outcomes for children. There is a clear recruitment policy in place which ensures all staff who are employed are vetted for their suitability and undergo a sound induction process. Staff members are appropriately qualified and deployed to provide sufficient levels of support for the children attending. As a result children are happy and relaxed within the environment and staff work well together to ensure their needs are met. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • develop procedures to ensure accident records are consistently signed by parents • further develop the children's independence within the setting with particular reference to the resource selection • review the organisation of the story area to ensure it is welcoming to children and allows easy access to the books • ensure the complaints procedure contains the regulators correct contact details.

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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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