Grampound-with-Creed CofE School

The Markfield Inspection report for early years provision

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140467 Unique Reference Number 30 July 2008 Inspection date Tom Radcliffe Inspector

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Markfield Road, Tottenham, London, N15 4RB Setting Address

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020 8800 4134 Telephone number ahendra@markfield.org.uk E-mail The Markfield Project Limited Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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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 outstanding. 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 Markfield is an Out of School provision run by a committee. It opened in 1970 and operates from several rooms in a converted building in North Tottenham in the London borough of Haringey. A maximum of 40 children under the age of eight years may attend the provision at any one time. The Markfield also provides care for children aged from eight to 11. The provision is open each weekday from 15.30 to 18.30 during term time and 10.00 to 15.00 in school holidays. All children share access to secure enclosed outdoor play areas.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 26 children aged from five to under eight years on roll. Most children are collected from within the locality by minibus. Children attend for a variety of sessions and the setting supports children who speak English as an additional language and children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The provision employs 32 members of staff. Of these, over half hold appropriate early years qualifications and some are 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 outstanding. The well organised and spacious environment that is made available for all children is maintained to very high standards of cleanliness and hygiene. All areas are prepared for the children's arrival to prevent the spread of infection. Accident and medication procedures are clear, known to all staff and followed carefully in all cases. Written records are very carefully maintained by the setting for children who often have complex medical needs and requirements. Staff are very well trained to care for children if they sustain minor injuries as they have specialist first aid qualifications and access to appropriate equipment. Children's good health is also promoted in a number of other ways; for example, infectious children are excluded from the setting, written permission has been obtained from parents to seek emergency treatment or advice and children understand that hand washing is an important aspect of personal hygiene. The setting

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Helping children to be healthy

also has very effective day to day routines which ensure children's good health and well-being; for example, packed lunches are stored and handled hygienically and the setting sensitively meets children's individual needs when they require use of toilet facilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The setting has a complete understanding of the dietary needs of individual children. All meals are provided from home, staff ensure that children have sufficient food and that individual children have their needs met as they are fed. Staff support children very well at these times and pay excellent attention to children's needs to ensure that meal times are sociable as well as functional. Children have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day and can access it independently as they play outside or inside.

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Helping children to be healthy

The facilities that are available for children to develop their physical skills, mobility, co-ordination and confidence are excellent. The setting strives successfully to include all children in risk taking and first hand experiences where they can use their imaginations and take part in a range of stimulating and exciting activities. While outdoors all children can use well designed resources that includes swings, slides, climbing frames, wheel chair ramps and tunnels. Children also use wheeled toys, footballs, play with water and bubbles, use table tennis equipment and invent their own games using boats and space imaginatively. While indoors children listen to music, use tools, paint and have access to an outstanding soft play facility. Staff support all children extremely well as they play to ensure that all children gain valuable learning experiences; for example, while outside wheelchair users were thrilled when using the access ramps on the

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Helping children to be healthy

adventure play equipment. The setting enhances its excellent provision with regular planned visits to local facilities; for example, to local parks with additional play opportunities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The premises are very secure and safe for children. Access by all visitors is controlled by authorised staff and there are very effective procedures in place for the arrival and departure of children to ensure that they are kept safe. The setting has excellent procedures in place to ensure that children's welfare is properly safeguarded and staff are both experienced and trained in this important area. Children can be kept safe in the event of an emergency as the setting has access to appropriate well maintained fire detection and control equipment, unobstructed fire doors and a clear evacuation procedure which ensures the safety of all children.

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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 The setting further ensures the safety of children with good health and safety guidelines and training for all staff and effective systems to undertake risk assessments to ensure that children do not face unnecessary hazards or risks. The learning and play environment is carefully monitored by diligent staff who ensure children's safety as they check the equipment that children use, review all activities that the children take part in, maintain excellent levels of supervision and plan all outings conscientiously. Staff are expert in allowing children to take risks and experiment in a safe, well managed environment; for example, as children climb, use swings and move around the outdoor area. Children are able to take part in a large range of activities that reflect their energy levels which results in periods of vigorous activity or periods

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of less strenuous pastimes as they paint, read or experiment with bubbles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an excellent range of toys and resources available to children which are maintained in a safe and hygienic condition and which effectively promote children's development. Children spend their time engaged in extremely purposeful activities with the support of caring staff in a highly effective learning environment. The setting has a complete understanding of the needs of the children that it cares for which results in there being suitable furniture, resources and equipment which allows children to thrive; for example, as they play, take meals and explore.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. All children enjoy their time in the setting as they undertake a large range of suitable activities with excellent levels of adult support. The setting promotes children's independence as they make decisions about what they want to do and staff respond positively when children ask to use equipment; for example, the soft play area. Staff also facilitate process where children arrange activities for themselves; for example, when playing table football and arranging a group to play in the soft play room. The children settle quickly into the play scheme, most arrive at the same time by mini bus, as they access resources, make choices and take part in conversations with their peers and adults. All activities are very well resourced and effectively supervised, children are happy and fulfilled while in the setting, they talk enthusiastically about what they do and tackle their experiences with energy and drive.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The setting carefully plans activities for the children that it cares for and which reflect the specific needs of those children. Staff are deployed to provide the necessary levels of support and work in groups of varying sizes; for example, staff work with individual children on play equipment or in larger groups as they paint or use books. At the same time staff promote free play as children play imaginatively or organise games of table tennis or the use of other outdoor equipment. Staff engage children in conversations as they play which enables children to build upon their communication skills and gives children valuable opportunities to express their feelings, aspirations and opinions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All staff carefully monitor children as they play in the setting which helps staff to identify things that children like to do, what strategies work with children and what key targets are appropriate for individual children. These processes of self review enable the setting to build upon a provision which is already very good.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The setting values all children and seeks to ensure that they are actively involved in what they do; for example, children are given opportunities to say what additional resources they would like in the play scheme. This makes the children feel part of the setting as they ask for dinosaur activities, play stations and castles. The atmosphere within the setting is vibrant as staff encourage a range of activities and promote good social relationships where children respect

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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 each other and have a good understanding of acceptable behaviour. Staff expertly encourage children to have a good understanding of the difference between right and wrong; for example, conflicts are resolved successfully as children learn about taking turns and sharing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are treated with equal concern as staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti discriminatory practice for all children. The setting ensures that children are included in all activities and that there are no barriers to their involvement. In addition the setting has excellent strategies for the resolution of conflict, when required, as for the most part children respect each other and show good relationships as they play together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The setting has excellent systems in place to ensure that it has a full understanding of the background of individual children. This enables the play scheme to identify and meet children's specific needs which promotes their inclusion within the setting and ensures that they are fulfilled by the activities that they take part in. The play scheme is very experienced and expert in understanding the needs of children who have a range of learning difficulties and disabilities. Often children have complex needs which the setting very effectively meets in order to promote the development of all children. All aspects of the setting are arranged to meet the needs of children who face a range of challenges; for example, the play scheme allows children to have access to excellent play facilities, it provides experienced and highly motivated staff who are very well deployed, it has the necessary knowledge and equipment to deal with specific care

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Helping children make a positive contribution

needs and it has good links with parents and external agencies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The behaviour management strategies used in the setting are highly effective. Staff have a very good understanding of the abilities of individual children to control their own behaviours and of methods that are likely to be successful. Children are set clear boundaries that accommodate their individual differences and adults act as positive role models using praise and encouragement in a supportive and caring environment. Staff engage children in appropriate conversations to enable them to understand about their actions and staff at all times give children opportunities to modify their own behaviour; for example, a child was encouraged to understand that he had behaved in an unkind way to another child. The setting provides children with an environment that promotes their self-esteem and builds upon their sense of belonging to exert a positive influence upon their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The setting values its relationship with parents and offers them opportunities to gain a greater understanding of the needs of their children. Parents have a good working relationship with the setting and act as partners in order that children enjoy and benefit from their time in the play scheme. The setting ensures that parents have a good understanding of its work by making clear policies and procedures available to all users of the scheme.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The provider has very good recruitment procedures that help to ensure that staff employed in the setting are suitable to work with children. Staff have an excellent understanding of how to work effectively with children at The Markfield as a result of their qualifications, experience and the training that is made available to them. Staff deployment is excellent as dedicated staff support children very well as they learn, play and explore. Children have access to spacious

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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 accommodation and excellent resources and are able to take part in stimulating and challenging activities. Children also have access to enjoyable and worthwhile activities as they take part in trips and outings. The setting has very good induction processes for staff which impacts positively on the effectiveness of the provision. The policies and procedures that the setting has in place are of the highest standard and ensure that the provision is effectively and safely managed. All staff in the setting work tirelessly to ensure that the ongoing care needs of children are given very good attention and that children's well-being is of paramount importance. The setting uses highly effective reviews of its own practice to ensure that it builds on its level of provision at all times. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection made the recommendation that attendance registers and other policies were updated to include all necessary detail. Since that time the setting has ensured that all relevant policies and procedures have been updated to meet necessary requirements; these include, the setting's child protection, sick child, equal opportunities, behaviour and complaints policies. In addition the setting ensures that attendance registers are properly maintained.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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