The Phoenix Centre

The Phoenix Centre Inspection report for early years provision

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EY221563 Unique Reference Number 08 April 2008 Inspection date Susan Janet Lee Inspector

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Prestwich Methodist Youth Association, The Phoenix, St. Marys Park, St. Marys Road, Prestwich, MANCHESTER, M25 1GG

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E-mail

Prestwich Methodist Youth Association 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?

The Phoenix Out of School Club was registered in 2003. It operates from the Phoenix Centre building which is located in the centre of St. Mary's park in Prestwich. The provision is run by a committee.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting is open Monday to Friday, from 07.30 to 09.00 and 15.30 to 18.00, during term time only. A collection service is provided for children attending three local schools, these being St. Mary's, Park View and Our Lady of Grace. Children have access to the main hall, the youth room and adjacent toilet facilities. The group uses the local park grounds for outdoor play, although this is not an enclosed private area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The facility is registered to provide care for a maximum of 24 children at any one time and there are currently 39 children on roll. The setting currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The provision employs five staff. Of these, two staff hold an appropriate early years qualification and one member of staff is currently working towards a qualification.

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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 cared for in well maintained and clean premises. Generally children stay healthy as staff exercise appropriate hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross-infection. However, although staff remind the children to wash their hands, not all of them wash their hands before eating their snack. The written sick children's policy ensures appropriate measures are in place when children are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are successfully met as staff gather information from parents about their children's dietary requirements and take this information into account when planning the meals and snacks. The children develop an awareness of healthy eating and they are well nourished because the setting provides a menu of breakfasts and snacks that are well balanced and nutritious. Snack time is a relaxed, enjoyable occasion. The children sit and chat with staff and are able to eat at their own pace.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have opportunities to enjoy physical activity in the outdoor environment. They walk to and from school in the fresh air and play outdoors, all of which contributes to their good health and physical development. The children select equipment to play with outside. Staff supervise the children well as the outdoor play area is not an enclosed area. The children have fun running, jumping and playing with footballs and bats and balls. Some children hold hands and walk with staff and chat to them. Other children enjoy throwing, kicking and bouncing the balls to each other.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises in which children are cared for have recently been refurbished and they are warm and welcoming. Children's artwork, posters and other information are on display, making the environment bright and stimulating with information for the children, parents and visitors. The children are able to move around freely to extend their play. There is a good selection of furniture available allowing the children to play, rest and eat in comfort. The setting provides a wide range of resources to meet the needs of the children being cared for. Staff check resources frequently and any broken items are removed to minimise risks to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good understanding of the importance of safety. They conduct a daily risk assessment and record their findings, ensuring that the environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. Staff supervise the children well, enabling them to play safely and independently. They encourage children's understanding in keeping themselves safe through daily routines, discussion and explanation. For example, staff remind children to sit at the table when they are eating and discuss the boundaries with them when they play outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All required documentation is place and staff have a secure understanding of child protection matters and procedures. As a result, children's welfare is effectively safeguarded.

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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. Staff set activities and resources to look interesting and inviting before the children arrive. Play plans, photographic documentation and observation during the visit show that the children have access to a wide range of age appropriate activities and resources. They are actively engaged and occupied.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff deploy themselves well to enable them to provide good care and support to the children. They spend time playing with the children and take an interest in what they do and say. Staff share warm relationships with the children, who are happy and settled in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are able to freely select what to play with from the range of activities on offer, helping them to initiate their own ideas and develop choice and independence. The children enjoy playing outdoors, drawing pictures, playing board games, building models and dressing up. They clearly enjoy their time at the setting and comment that they enjoy playing games with their friends and making robots. They also comment that the staff are nice and are kind to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Staff gather information from parents about their children's individual needs to enable them to be in a position to best meet these needs. They celebrate their own festivals and those of others, helping them to value each other's similarities and differences and develop respect for other people's cultures and traditions. Staff have a positive attitude towards children with learning difficulties and disabilities and help them to access all activities on offer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff act as positive role models to the children. They are kind and respectful and use 'please' and 'thank you'. As a result, the children understand what is expected of them. The children receive praise and encouragement for their positive behaviour and achievements, helping them to feel valued and developing their confidence and self-esteem. The children develop a sense of belonging. On arrival, they enter with ease and go happily to play with their friends. The children are able to make choices as they choose what to play with and what they would like for a snack. They show care and concern for other children as they help one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff share good working relationships with parents, who are greeted warmly on arrival. Discussion with parents shows they are happy with the service provided, levels of care and activities afforded. Staff share information with parents on a daily basis to keep them informed about their children's daily activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Staff attend training to further develop their childcare practices. Two staff have a valid first aid certificate, ensuring they have up to date awareness of what to do in the event of an accident or minor injury. The manager demonstrates, through discussion, that vetting and induction procedures are in place and how they work in practice. However, these procedures are not available in written format.

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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 The record of children's attendance is up to date and shows ratios are maintained to promote children's care. Staff work well together as a team and they organise space, time and resources appropriately to meet children's needs.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures work in practice to promote children’s health, safety and ability to make a positive contribution. However, the complaints procedure does not include Ofsted's contact details. All required documentation is in place and stored securely to maintain confidentiality. However, the accident record does not include sufficient information regarding the location and nature of the injury and documentation is not very well organised for easy reference.

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Organisation

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

At the last inspection recommendations were agreed in relation to hygiene, safety and resources. The children are now able to dry their hands properly as adequate drying facilities are in place. Safety has been improved as all visitors now sign a visitors book and fire drills are practised with the children on a more regular basis. Staff have extended resources that reflect diversity, helping the children to develop an awareness of the wider world.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received concerns relating to National Standard 2: Organisation and National Standard 6: Safety. An Ofsted inspector visited the provision on 3 May 2007. Actions were raised and satisfactorily met by the registered 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): • review children's hygiene practices at snack time • ensure the accident record includes sufficient information regarding the location and nature of the injury • ensure the vetting and induction procedures are available in written format and ensure the complaints procedure includes Ofsted's contact details • further develop the organisation of documentation for easier reference.

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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 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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