Mini Beast Out of School Club

Mini Beast Out of School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY364333 Unique Reference Number 08 April 2008 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan Inspector

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10th Airedale Scout Hut, Scout Association, New Road, Yeadon, LEEDS, LS19 7HW

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E-mail

The Minibeast Club Ltd 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 Mini Beast Out of School Club was registered in 2007 and operates from the 10th Airedale Scout Hut in Yeadon, Leeds. The club is open Monday and Friday 07.30 to 08.50 and 15.20 to 18.00 and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 07.30 to 08.50 and 15.20 to 17.30, term time only.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of 32 children aged from three to eight years old may attend the club at any one time. There are currently 22 children aged from three to eight years old on roll. Children come from the local school and walk to and from the school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club employs two members of staff; one holds a level 4 in childcare and another one is working towards a level 2 in childcare.

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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 develop a suitable understanding about the importance of healthy practices through effective daily routines and staff explanations. They have suitable facilities in which to practise healthy routines of personal hygiene. For example, facilities are available to wash their hands independently after messy play and toileting and before eating, and they also have access to paper towels. This prevents cross-infection. However, children do not always wash their hands prior to having their snacks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The session is well organised each day to ensure they have reasonable opportunities indoors to develop their physical skills. For example, children can access hoola hoops, balls and games of hide and seek in the large play area. Children are well cared for in the event of illness or an accident. Staff have attended first aid training, ensuring that accidents are recorded and the administering of medication is fully implemented.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are fully met, as staff gain information on all children's dietary requirements on registration. They are offered a healthy, balanced diet and can independently access drinks of juice, water and milk, throughout the session. For example, children are given cheese, jam and crumpets and they are allowed to choose most days what they would like. There is plenty of fresh fruit and raw vegetables at afternoon sessions and cereal and toast at before school sessions. This ensures children are in a healthy environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment, which is clean and adequately maintained. The rooms and resources are well organised, which enables children to move around freely and safely. They have free access to a good range of toys and play equipment, which meets the needs of all children attending. For example, hoola hoops, games, construction and arts and crafts are all accessible to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of potential hazards and take steps to minimise risks to children. Most safety measures are in place, including fire prevention equipment, fire evacuation plans and the practising and recording of fire drills. However, the broken glass in the main door puts children at risk. The staff are aware of conducting risk assessments, and these are done prior to children arriving and are also recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from abuse or neglect through the staff's understanding and knowledge. The staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedure to follow if they have any concerns. There is a child protection policy and procedure available to parents and staff. The leader has attended training and is aware of the importance of keeping this up to date. The club has contact numbers and makes parents and staff aware of the procedures in place.

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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. Children's independence is promoted through a variety of opportunities. They move around freely accessing toys, play equipment and drinks, and learn to be independent. The children's opinion is highly valued through them having free choice of toys. Children are fully involved in a good range of enjoyable activities, all of which develop their language, imagination, creative and physical development. For example, games, construction, role play and lots of arts and crafts. The children also have access to a good variety of physical activities inside. For example, balls and hoola hoops.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are happy and settled and are keen to communicate with staff, enthusiastically showing them things they have done, and staff play with the children. For example, the leader played hide and seek with the children and showed them how to play with hoola hoops. Children are confident in the setting and receive lots of praise and encouragement to help raise their self-esteem. They build warm relationships with staff, who are very interested in them, constantly interacting with the children and asking them questions to make them think.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals and are treated with equal concern. All children are welcome, regardless of ability. Children are given opportunities to increase their knowledge of the wider world through discussions with staff and celebrating of festivals. For example, Easter, Chinese New Year and Diwali. Children have access to a suitable range of resources, which include books, small world figures and jigsaws. This is an area that staff are continually enhancing, to ensure that children learn about their community and the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

At present the club do not care for any children with learning difficulties or disabilities. However, they only have a verbal procedure should they be asked to care for any children with any learning difficulties and disabilities. The leader is aware of the importance of inclusion and also working with parents and other agencies, should the need arise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given some opportunities to develop their understanding of the difference between right and wrong. For example, children are to devise their own behaviour rules for the club. The children behave well and show concern for each other. The club has a very basic policy and this does not include the methods used by the staff. The children are given praise and encouragement to reinforce good behaviour, with staff using an appropriate verbal range of strategies to suitably manage their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is effective and children's individual needs are met as staff work alongside parents to collect detailed information about each child at registration. They are informed about the setting and their child through discussions and exchanges of information verbally, regular newsletters and an informative noticeboard. There is a complaint procedure displayed for parents and both they and staff are aware of the procedure. This ensures that the club works with parents in a positive manner.

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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. The setting is organised and the surroundings are bright and welcoming, with displays of the children's work. Staffing ratios are adhered to. Staff have relevant qualifications and some are working towards relevant childcare qualifications. The leader has attended several training courses, for example, safeguarding children and listening to children, and she is to attend the Early Years Foundation Stage training in April. Appropriate vetting procedures are carried out on staff. They have a suitable induction, which helps them understand their roles and responsibilities, and staff effectively implement routines to give children a good range of experiences.

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Organisation

Children benefit from deployed staff who interact with them and give them support and encouragement, which helps them feel secure and confident. Most policies and procedures are implemented and available to staff and parents. However, some documentation is not easily accessible or kept in a confidential manner. Space and resources are well organised to meet the needs of all children.

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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 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 children are encouraged to wash hands prior to having snacks • ensure the entrance area is safe for children • develop knowledge and understanding of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities

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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 • develop a behaviour policy relating to methods used • ensure all documentation is available and kept in a confidential manner.

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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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