Locking Stumps Lynx Club

Locking Stumps Lynx Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360080 Unique Reference Number 30 June 2008 Inspection date Sheila Iwaskow Inspector

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Locking Stumps Community Primary School, Glover Road, Birchwood, WARRINGTON, WA3 7PH

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E-mail

Nicola Anne Burke 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?

Locking Stumps Lynx Club registered in 2007 and is privately owned. The club operates from five rooms within Locking Stumps Community Primary School in Birchwood, Warrington. Children mainly from the school attend.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting operates all week during term time from 07.15 to 08.45 and from 15.15 to 18.00 and from 07.15 till 18.00 all week during the school holidays. The setting is able to support children with learning difficulties or disabilities. There are currently 40 children on roll who attend on a variety of placements.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A total of six staff work within the setting and of these four hold an appropriate early years qualification. Support to the club is given from Sure Start in Warrington.

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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 welcomed into a clean environment. The school caretaker maintains all areas used by the club and surfaces are routinely cleaned by staff during the session as and when required. Children are aware of basic hygiene routines, such as washing hands before eating and after toileting. A written sick child policy is securely in place and children receive good levels of care in the event of an accident as a number of staff are qualified in first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the times that they spend outdoors and have access to several play areas within the school grounds. On hot sunny days children wear hats, sunglasses and sun cream to protect them from the rays of the sun. Activities are varied and enable children to gain confidence as they learn to move with control and use their bodies in different ways. Interactive games, such as football provide children with the opportunity to work as a team, learning to follow defined rules. Children thoroughly enjoy parachute games, skipping, balancing on tyres and the freedom that they have as they run around in the fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a snack and light meal after school. Meal times are happy, social occasions where children sit and chat to each other. Generally, the food provided is healthy and includes jacket potatoes, salad, fruit and cheese. However, food high in fat content, such as hot dogs, crisps, chocolate biscuits and puddings are incorporated in the weekly menu. Individual dietary needs are discussed with parents, recorded and respected at all times. Staff hold food hygiene certificates, which ensures that food preparation meets the guidelines laid down by environmental health. At the holiday club children bring in their own packed lunches, which are stored in the fridge. Acceptable procedures are in place to ensure that children have regular access to drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a number of rooms within the school at various points throughout the week. All of these areas are light, bright and airy with colourful displays, but these are not representative of creative work undertaken by the children at the club. Toilet areas are designed to ensure that children have privacy. However, children do not consistently have access to soft furnishings to allow them to rest and relax in comfort. A balanced range of safe, clean play materials are available and meet the needs of all the children who attend. A selection are set out at the beginning of the day as children arrive at the club. Children are aware of the range of resources that are stored in the large walk in cupboard and with supervision of staff they are able to select toys of their choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well supervised as they play. Risk assessments are carried out on a daily basis to make sure that the environment in which the children are cared for is safe and secure. Fire evacuation procedures are clearly displayed and practised with the children on a regular basis. This ensures that they are confident of what to do and where to go should the need ever arise. An accurate record of visitors is maintained and a password system is used if any person not known to staff collects the children at the end of the day. These procedures further ensure children's safety and well being.

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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 Staff have a sound awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and who to contact if they have a professional concern about a child. The manager is aware of procedures to follow if an allegation is made against a member of staff. However, the wording of these procedures in the safeguarding children policy is confusing and unclear.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure in the routines of the club. They understand that coats and lunch boxes should be put tidily away at the beginning of the session and that when staff count back in sequence they must stop what they are doing and listen. Children are happy, confident and enjoy being together in the relaxed and friendly environment. Most children know each other and enjoy the time they spend unwinding together after a day at school. They share warm relationships with staff and freely talk to visitors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A suitable range of play opportunities are organised for children to enjoy indoors. They have fun as they dress up, play with small world toys or read a book. However, on the day of the inspection there were no creative activities available for the children to extend their range of experiences. Photographic evidence indicates that children enjoy completing jigsaws, building models from construction kits, creating collages using a variety of media and having their faces painted. When children have access to the music room and the computer suite they are able to develop their technology skills and experiment with sound.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During school holidays children are taken to places of local interest, such as the library and park. This provides them with alternative play experiences and allows them to socialise with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about the wider world in a number of ways, such as celebrating cultural festivals and tasting food eaten in other countries. Some books and dolls, which reflect equality of opportunity are also available to further broaden children's awareness of diversity. Regular discussions also take place when children and staff explore similarities and differences within society. This teaches children to value and respect others. Individual needs are generally well met in practice. The setting recognises the importance of welcoming children with learning difficulties and disabilities into a sharing and inclusive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well. Good manners are promoted within the club. Staff treat children with care and respect and the setting recognises the importance of working closely with parents to deal with any behavioural issues. Children's efforts are celebrated and their achievements are recognised. For example, any instances of good deeds or behaviour are recorded in an 'able book' and shared with other members of the club. Such procedures promote children's confidence and help to make them feel special.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships are established with parents to help promote security and consistency in children's lives. Parents receive a booklet which contains information about the setting, polices and procedures. The setting works with parents to settle in new children. Verbal feedback at the end of the day keeps parents informed about how the children have spent their time whilst at the club. Newsletters are also given to parents to keep them abreast about what is happening at the club. Parents are happy with the care their children receive.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Acceptable procedures are in place for the recruitment, selection and induction of staff. However, systems to monitor the ongoing suitability of staff to work with children are not yet fully developed. The manager recognises the importance of staff attending training to keep childcare practices up to date. Staff are experienced, qualified and work as part of a team. Contingency arrangements are in place to cover illness or staff shortages and an informal key worker system is in place. However, there is no named deputy available to take charge in the absence of the manager.

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Organisation

Space is organised to provided children with a balanced range of activities. An accurate record of children and staff's hours of attendance is maintained. The manager recognises the importance of complying with her conditions of registration at all times.

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Organisation

Most aspects of documentation are in place and organised to respect confidentiality. However, omissions have been identified; accident records are not always countersigned by parents and although the certificate of registration is displayed it is not always easily accessible to parents.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required Ofsted or the provider 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): • appoint a named deputy and formalise procedures to monitor the ongoing suitability of staff to work with children • ensure that the registration certificate can be clearly seen by parents at all times and that accident records are consistently signed by parents

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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 • ensure that soft furnishings are always available for children to allow them to rest and relax in comfort • review the wording of the safeguarding children policy to ensure that the procedures to be followed if an allegation is made against a member of staff are clear.

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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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