Children's Choice Childcare

Children's Choice Childcare Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362060 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2008 Inspection date Nighat Ghani Inspector

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Seymour Park Primary School, Northumberland Road, Manchester, Lancashire, M16 9QE

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E-mail

Miss Gail Edwards and Miss Jill Carding Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, 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?

Children's Choice Out of School and Holiday Club was registered in 2007. It operates from the community room and dining room on the site of Seymour Park Primary School. Toilet facilities are integral. There is a small garden area, the school playground and an adjacent recreational park available for outdoor play. The club caters for children who attend the school and others from the local community. The setting opens after school each day from 15.00 until 18.00. The holiday club runs five days a week from 08.00 until 18.00 during school holidays, closing all statutory bank holidays and for two weeks over the Christmas period.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting is registered to provide care for 30 children at any one time, Currently there are 15 children on roll. The club supports a number of children with learning difficulties and also children who speak English as an additional language. The group employs five staff. Three of the staff hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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 promoted through the sound systems in place. A record of all accidents is maintained and staff follow a set procedure to promote children's welfare in the event they need to administer medication. The routine in place ensures children wash their hands before they eat their snack. However, the tables are not wiped before children sit down to have their snack, which compromises their health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a large variety of healthy and nutritious snacks. Staff ensure these comply with specific dietary needs and parental wishes. All staff have attended food hygiene training. However, while preparing and handling food staff do not fully comply with regulation relating to food safety and hygiene. At registration, children choose what they like to have for a snack, so that a member of staff can prepare this while children are engaged in different activities. Drinking water and fresh fruit is freely accessible throughout the session. This ensures children's energy is consistently replenished.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children clearly enjoy the daily chances for fresh air and vigorous play. They particularly enjoy using the outdoor area where they practice kicking balls in group games such as football. They run, hop and jump as they use the resources to climb the slide to strengthen their coordination and muscular control.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children arrive happily and settle well. They are warmly greeted by staff and other children and this contributes to a welcoming environment. Children quickly make independent choices in their play as the activities are set out for them. However, there are limited resources available for children to engage in imaginative play, such as role play. Children do not benefit from a cosy area where they can withdraw from activities and relax should they wish to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff carry out regular risk assessment to ensure children's safety both in and out doors. However, the risk assessments are not totally effective because they have left the chairs stacked and sockets uncovered. Effective procedures, such as the use of a visitors record contribute towards keeping children safe. Although, fire safety procedures are in place, these are not displayed where they can be easily seen. Drills are not practised with the children on regular basis, which compromises children's safety in case of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected by secure induction systems to ensure all staff are aware of issues surrounding child protection. Most staff are aware of keeping children safe from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. On the whole children enjoy their time in the provision. The group caters for a wide age range and generally staff have a good understanding of the age and stage of development of the children who they work with. Staff set out activities for the children before the children arrive. Although children have free access to the toy, these are limited and does not cater for their imaginative development.

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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 Children are happy and are aware of the group's routine, which develops their sense of belonging. For example, they are aware that they all have to meet under the shed in the school grounds for registration, wash their hands before snack and help at tidy up time. Children enjoy this time at the end of the school day when they get the opportunity to play with their siblings and friends. They benefit from the positive interaction and secure relationships with staff. They confidently express their needs to staff in the secure knowledge that they will be listened to. Children's thoughts and ideas are extended by staff's skilful use of effective questioning techniques and encouragement. As a result, children learn new techniques and develop new skills as they for example, play on the computer and several table top games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a policy on equal opportunities which includes a statement about anti-discriminatory practice. The group are aware of the backgrounds that children come from and ensure that they settle well and feel secure very quickly. Children do not get the opportunity to learn about the wider world and community through the celebration of festivals and there are limited resources which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity and gender.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with additional needs are supported through liaison with parents and other agencies. Inclusion of all children is promoted through the recording of children’s individual needs. Children are generally well behaved and staff are particularly skilled at helping children to resolve minor conflicts. They encourage children to talk to one another and negotiate turns and think about the impact of their actions. As a result, children are learning to manage their own behaviour successfully. Children consistently receive good levels of praise and encouragement for their achievements to boost their confidence and enhance their self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are documented upon entry and parents receive basic information about the setting and some policies, but not the complaint policy, although this is available in the policy file should they wish to make a complaint. Staff are available to exchange pertinent information on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and confident in a setting which is organised to meet their needs. Children benefit from some systems, to ensure the majority of required records are in place and most policies and procedures to follow, for example, a complaint procedure is in place although the setting has not yet implemented a system to log complaints. Secure induction and meetings are in place to ensure staff have a developing understanding of them. Children benefit from a staff team that regularly update their knowledge and skills by attending short training courses. Occasional lapses in the organisation however, result in some gaps in ensuring the health and safety of the children and information supplied to parents.

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Organisation

Children enjoy positive relationships with staff who are generally well deployed to work alongside them and support them in their play. They are supervised at all times by staff that have been vetted for their suitability to work with young children. Processes for reviewing practice are evolving to ensure the needs of the children are met.

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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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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): • ensure staff who are responsible for the preparation and handling of food are fully aware of, and comply with, regulations relating to food safety and hygiene • provide children with a cosy area so that they can withdraw from activities and relax should they wish to. Ensure procedures for emergency evacuation of the building are clearly displayed and fire drills are carried out on regular basis. Make the stacked chairs and the electric sockets safe • increase resources that reflect positive images and promote children's imaginative development • implement a system to log complaints.

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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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