Walter Infant School

Fordingbridge Playscheme Inspection report for early years provision

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109869 Unique Reference Number 28 July 2008 Inspection date Brenda Joan Flewitt Inspector

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County Junior School, Penny's Lane, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1HJ

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Setting Address

01425 654134 Telephone number town.clerk@fordingbridge.gov.uk E-mail FORDINGBRIDGE TOWN COUNCIL Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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Setting Address

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?

Fordingbridge Playscheme opened in 1975 and operates from the hall, a classroom and school playground in Fordingbridge County Junior School, Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Children also use the swimming pool under the supervision of a qualified lifeguard. The playscheme is open Monday to Friday for the first two weeks of the school summer holidays from 10.00 until 15.00. Children have a choice of times and sessions, these are 10.00 to 15.00 or 10.00 to 12.00, 10.00 to 13.00 or 13.00 to 15.00.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of 80 children may attend the setting at any one time. There are currently 99 children aged from four to 11 years on roll. Children come from the local and surrounding areas. The setting supports a number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting employs 11 members of staff. Of these, eight hold, or are working towards, appropriate qualifications. The team are supported by a number of volunteers.

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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 enjoy a number of outside activities that promote their good health. The school grounds offer various opportunities for fresh air and exercise with shady areas available under trees. Children make up imaginary games or take part in ball games. They use large equipment which helps develop large muscle skills as they play in the adventure playground. Each session enables children to choose a swimming session in the outdoor swimming pool, which they particularly enjoy in hot weather to keep cool. Staff remind children to have 'shade time' when they are playing outside in the sun.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children bring a packed lunch from home, and are offered a piece of apple during the morning and afternoon sessions to eat as they play. They have easy access to drinking water, which keeps them hydrated in hot weather, as staff ensure there are jugs and cups readily available in the main activity room.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the spread of infection as they use resources such as liquid soap and an electronic hand dryer when washing their hands before lunch. There are satisfactory procedures in place if a child becomes ill while attending the playscheme, although these are not written as a reference for staff and parents. Children's medication and accidents are managed appropriately. There is always an identified and qualified first aider present and easy access to first aid resources in the school medical room. The required records are completed and signed by parents to acknowledge the entry.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in safe and secure premises where hazards are identified and minimised. There are good security systems in place to ensure that children are protected from uninvited visitors and cannot leave the building unsupervised. Risk assessments carried out before the sessions start inform staff of any high risk areas and ensure that measures are put in place to help prevent accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The space available is organised appropriately so that children can move around freely, both inside and out, choosing their activities. There is sufficient furniture to provide a variety of table-top activities and places to sit, however, there is a lack of resources to provide a relaxing area for children to rest, or choose a quiet activity such as looking at books.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are briefed about emergency evacuation procedures prior to the start of the session. They are clear about their roles and responsibilities and fire exits are clearly marked. However, there is no system to ensure that children know what to expect, particularly if they do not attend the school, and the written information to refer to is limited. Therefore, children's safety is not fully promoted in a real situation. Staff have appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to recognise the signs of abuse and the procedures to follow if they have concerns. Therefore, children are suitably safeguarded.

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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 are happy, settled and secure. They enjoy the time they spend at the playscheme where they are made to feel welcome and included. They are confident in making their needs known, as they can be sure of a friendly response from the adults who work with them. Children play well together in a well organised environment where they make choices from a suitable range of activities. Some seek out friends they already know, others are encouraged to join up with others to establish new relationships.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

As well as the outside resources, there is a good variety of art and craft activities available where children work individually or as a team to create models or displays. For example, most children contribute to the 'welcome' display by decorating letters of the alphabet with paints and various materials. These are used to form words to describe the playscheme as seen by the children. Children enjoy manipulating dough into shapes, using a range of tools and equipment. They like to chat to each other and adults about what they are doing and aspects of their lives. Children receive friendly interaction from adults who make themselves available to support the children's activities as required. Children's input is valued; they are encouraged to evaluate the provision in various ways, both verbally and on paper, which is used to inform future planning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected as individuals. Information about individual needs is sought from parents on admission which includes health, diet and any additional requirements. Children with particular needs and learning difficulties are supported well so that they are fully included. Additional staff are in place to offer extra support as needed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They show respect for staff and each other and are co-operative in following necessary rules for their safety. For example, during swimming sessions, children know that they must 'stop' when they hear the whistle blow once, and that it is time to get out of the pool when it sounds twice. Children willingly help to pack away equipment at the end of a session. They receive praise and encouragement from staff for effort and achievement, which helps build their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the setting's positive relationship with parents. Parents receive satisfactory information about the provision through various sources, such as newsletters distributed via schools, which give some information about activities of offer, dates and times. They have daily opportunities to talk to staff, as they deliver and collect their children, and to discuss individual needs. Parents' views are sought by way of an evaluation sheet supplied to each family and a 'comments' book, which helps to identify what is popular and areas for improvement.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by suitably qualified staff, who receive a clear induction prior to the start of the playscheme, therefore, sessions run smoothly and children know what to expect. There are satisfactory staff recruitment procedures in place which include making sure that applicants are subject to vetting procedures to ensure they are suitable to work with children. However, there is no clear system for obtaining information about any health issues.

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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 The appropriate organisation of the premises, resources and structure of the day means that children are active in a safe environment and that they make choices from a suitable range of activities both inside and outside. However, there is no relaxation area provided, and the routine does not include making sure that children know about the emergency escape plan. All required records are in place, completed appropriately and stored confidentially. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection judged the standard of care to be inadequate and actions were set which required the provider to: ensure that there are effective procedures in place for checking that staff are suitable to work with children and for informing Ofsted of all changes in management; that staff are deployed effectively when children are playing outside; and to improve the security of the premises.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There are satisfactory procedures in place to check that staff are suitable to work with children which include Criminal Records Bureau checks, references and appropriate qualifications and/or experience. The registered person is now clear about the requirement to inform Ofsted of changes in management. Staff are deployed in the particular risk areas outside to ensure children's safety. There are four walkie-talkie devices used by key staff to aid in emergencies or call for extra support as required. Security has been improved, as a keypad system has been installed at the main entrance, and children are escorted to and from the pool area. All this helps to protect children's safety and welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • provide a suitably equipped area for children to relax or play quietly • review systems to ensure that children know what to expect if they must leave the building in an emergency • develop the staff recruitment procedures to include all aspects of suitability.

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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 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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