Belle Vue Community, Sport and Youth Centre

Belle Vue Community, Sport and Youth Centre Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY345364 Unique Reference Number 24 April 2008 Inspection date Andrea, Jane Lockyer Inspector

p.1

Kendal Road, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS25 1QY Setting Address

p.1

E-mail

Belle Vue Community, Sport and Youth Centre Ltd Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The out of school club operates from Belle Vue Community, Sport and Youth Centre Hartlepool, and is run by Hartlepool Children's Fund. Children have access to a variety of rooms within the centre. There are no outdoor play facilities, so children use the large halls or visit the local park for physical exercise. Children attend the group from the local area and are usually referred by other childcare professionals, however, parents are able to approach the group themselves. Children are collected from home and returned by staff at the end of the session. The group are registered to care for a maximum of 12 children between the ages of five and eight years, they also care for children up to the age of 13. There are currently 38 children on roll. The group is open Monday to Friday from 16:00 to 19:00, and also operate through the school holidays. Four staff work directly with the children, all of whom hold a recognised childcare

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

qualification from National Vocational Qualification level 2 through to degree level.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment, where they are developing good awareness of the importance of hygiene and personal care. They independently manage their own personal health care and hygiene very well, for example, as they wash their hands after visiting the toilet, before handling food and after art and craft activities. Children are actively encouraged to help maintain good hygiene throughout the premises, for example, they help to wash and dry dishes, clean tables before snacks and after art and craft activities. Well planned topics and discussions, such as 'health and hygiene' increase children's awareness of how to maintain their own health needs. Children are protected from the risks of cross-infection and illness by the good health and hygiene practises implemented by staff. Good communication with parents and records ensure children's individual health needs are met. Staff hold relevant

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

first aid certificates and there is also an appointed first aid person within the main building. Details of any accidents are recorded well, however, parents have not signed the accident book.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a good awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet. They take part in healthy eating topics, and play 'food bingo' where they taste fresh fruit and vegetables. They also enjoy making their own fruit smoothies and pizzas. Snacks are provided by the club, which take into account children's individual dietary needs and parental wishes.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Regular daily opportunities for physical play indoors and outdoors, help children to enjoy exercise and develop new skills and healthy bodies. They take part in a wide range of fun activities, such as obstacle courses, cricket, football, long jump, rounders, basketball and snooker. Children also benefit from regular visits to local amenities and places of interest, such as local parks, soft play, bowling, and horse riding, which encourage children to be active and to learn that physical exercise is fun.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a safe environment where the risks are identified and minimised. Safety procedures and risk assessments are effectively carried out by staff, within the provision and on outings. This ensures that children are able to move around freely, safely and independently. Staff give high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe both in and out of the premises, and effectively achieve a good balance between freedom and setting safe limits. Children are developing a good awareness of danger and are becoming knowledgeable about how to protect themselves from harm. For example; they take part in fire drills, learn to cross roads safely when on outings and take part in role play and discussions about stranger danger. Topics about personal safety and learning about the role of the emergency services help children learn how to keep themselves safe throughout their daily

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a comprehensive range of safe, good quality, and developmentally appropriate toys and resources, which are stimulating and fun. They are organised well to encourage independent access and choice.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good policies and procedures implemented by staff ensure that children are well protected from possible abuse and neglect. However, the written policy does not include the procedure

p.3

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 if an allegation is made against a member of staff. All staff have a good understanding of the procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidelines and are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Child protection procedures are discussed with parents ensuring that they are informed of the responsibility of staff to safeguard all children.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the out of school club. They enjoy affectionate, sensitive and caring relationships with staff who know them well and inspire them with their own enthusiasm. This means that children are developing good levels of self-esteem, confidence and trust. They engage eagerly in a wide range of stimulating and enjoyable activities, such as constructing models using spaghetti and marshmallows, blindfolding other children and verbally guiding them through a paper maze on the floor, making dream catchers, baking, role play, dressing up, playing board games, painting their own wall in the youth club room and making their own DVD. Children take part in a variety of planned trips and particularly enjoy attending a horse management course.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities and themes are planned in advance and well thought out, they are purposeful and provide all children with good levels of challenge, appropriate to their individual needs and stage of development. This means that children are involved in a broad range of interesting experiences that promote and enhance their individual development and learning skills.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's progress is clearly monitored, staff make records using evaluation sheets at the end of each session which are used to plan the next steps in individual children's development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff provide a good range of activities that promote a positive view of the world and promote children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others, for example, as they made diva lamps for Divali, made potato heads dressed in different national costumes and enjoyed a visit from African drummers. Children have also taken part in discussions and watched a video about 'Show Racism the Red Card'. Other groups use the centre and children from the after school club are able to integrate with children who have learning difficulties and disabilities. However, there are limited resources available for children to access on a daily basis that reflect positive images of race, culture and disability. Effective arrangements are in place to care for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff have realistic expectations of children's behaviour. They implement a range of good strategies to promote positive behaviour that help children to understand right from wrong. Children respond positively to meaningful praise and encouragement, which contributes to their social skills, confidence and self-esteem. Staff skilfully design activities and games that promote children's social and behaviour skills, such as making their own anti-bullying DVD. Children's views are sought with regard to activities and trips and they are able to make their own choices of what they would like to play with in the youth room. Children recently enjoyed painting their own wall in the youth room, which promotes a sense a of belonging and builds self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from good relationships between staff and parents. Home visits are made prior to children attending the club to discuss children's needs and build relationships with parents.

p.4

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 Good verbal and written communication ensures that children's individual needs are met very well. Parents are provided with a good information package which includes some written policies and procedures and details about the setting. However, not all policies and procedures are provided for parents. Children are collected from and returned home by staff, who inform parents about the care, welfare and progress of their children. Parents are invited to visit the club and access the facilities within the centre.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The well-organised environment and good daily routines ensure that children are happy and well-settled. Good opportunities are made for all children to be involved in free play, social interaction, eating, resting and taking part in physical exercise. This means that children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning.

p.5

Organisation

Staff work very well together; effective organisation, planning and communication between all ensures that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, which contributes to the smooth running of the club and provides children with stability and a sense of security. Their good knowledge, skills and positive attitude towards extended training enhances the care and welfare of all children.

p.5

Organisation

Comprehensive policies and procedures are up-to-date and implemented effectively, helping to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 parents sign the accident book

p.5

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 • ensure that the child protection policy includes the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against a member of staff • ensure that parents have access to all policies and procedures • develop the range of resources available to children on a daily basis to increase their awareness of diversity.

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6