Spring Park Junior School

O.S.C.A.R.S Inspection report for early years provision

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101737 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2008 Inspection date Hilary Elizabeth Tierney Inspector

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Wortley Road, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 7JU Setting Address

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01453 843371 or 07790707044 Telephone number

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E-mail

O.S.C.A.R.S 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?

Oscars Out of School Club first registered in 1997. It is run by a voluntary management committee and operates from within The British School, Wotton-under-Edge. It caters for the children of this school during term times. The provision extended to offer holiday care in 2007. Children from all local schools are welcome. The group is registered to accept a maximum of 24 children aged between four and eight years, at any one time. Older children are also accepted. There are currently approximately 50 children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group has the use of two playrooms, used also by the kindergarten. The group also has the use of the school hall and outdoor play facilities. A team of staff are employed. Several of them have relevant qualifications in childcare, education and playwork. Holiday staff are also used, to cover the hours of operation.

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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 have healthy snacks. They have a selection of raisins, apples, bread sticks and toast for snack time. Children are able to have a small snack as they enter the rooms, they do not sit for this snack and walk around eating. During main snack all children sit at tables and eat well. This is a social time, children are able to select their food and request the type of spread they want on their toast. Older children help prepare snack and offer drinks to the other children. Drinks are provided and children can access these freely for themselves. Children were observed being offered extra drinks whilst playing on the school field.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged in healthy personal hygiene practices. They wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet and craft activities. They understand why they need to do this and have few reminders from staff. However, all children use the same hand towel for drying their hands, this does not help to prevent the spread of infection. Staff are careful to clean tables before children eat and wash their hands before preparing the children's snacks. Clear accident and medication forms are kept and shared with parents. There are suitable procedures in place in the event of a child who becomes unwell or injured at the setting. Parental permissions are all in place and contact numbers are easily accessible.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to fresh air and exercise. They are able to engage in large physical play activities. Good use of the outside area is made during the after-school club. Children were observed having great fun playing on the school field.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises is clean, well maintained and welcoming for children. They confidently enter the rooms and are able to access the range of resources easily and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe as they play. Staff are vigilant and supervise them well during the sessions. Boundaries are set clearly for children when out in the school field which helps staff supervise them adequately. Risk assessments have been put in place which helps minimise hazards. Fire drills have been carried out regularly both in the holiday club and after school group. The premises is secure and a bell is used to gain entry to the building. Children understand that only staff open the door to allow parents in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are confident in their understanding regarding safeguarding children. They have completed suitable training and have clear procedures to follow in the event of having any concerns about children in their care. However, they do not always records children's existing injuries and share these with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enter the rooms happily and understand the routine. They enjoy their time at the setting. Children settle quickly into play, asking staff what they are going to be doing that session. Children were observed selecting items to take onto the school field, these include bats and balls. During the play outside children enjoyed playing a game of bat and ball, making

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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 daisy chains, and imaginative play and interacting well with each other and the staff. Staff get involved with the play and take part with children in the ball games. A group of children were observed climbing a tree and sitting in the branches having great fun. Staff allow children to take calculated risks which helps them develop independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children can change activities as they wish. They like to draw, use their imagination with small world resources, play table football and pool when inside. Children were observed playing inside on a small trampoline, video games and making necklaces during a craft activity. The staff supervise and interact when required. Children sit and concentrate well during the craft activity and thoroughly enjoy this activity. They interact well with each other and the member of staff with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well behaved and interact with each other well. Ground rules have been devised by the group and children understand them clearly. Staff have a calm approach with the children and offer lots of praise and encouragement to the children as they play. Staff are positive role models. They promote politeness and manners and children respond to them in a positive way. Younger children are helped by the older children throughout the session. Children are treated with care and concern by the staff. There is suitable access to resources that reflect diversity within the community. Children are not restricted in their play, they are able to select activities regardless of their gender. The group offers support to children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a satisfactory relationship with parents. Staff and parents share information verbally about the child's day when they are collected. Further information is shared through notices, regular newsletters and the notice board. The parents' poster is clearly displayed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All documentation required for registration is in place. Clear registers record staff's and children's daily attendance. A visitors' record is also kept. Staff are suitably qualified and cleared which helps protect children and keep them safe. Policies and procedures have been reviewed, are detailed and easily accessible for parents. There is a detailed complaints procedure and complaints log in place. The registration certificate is displayed which enables parents see the conditions of registration. The staff are working to improve the child care service they provide for children.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider had an inadequate judgement at the last inspection and were given three actions to improve. These were: to ensure that all leaders are suitably approved for the role; to make sure that all staff are fully aware of their responsibilities to promote children's safety. Ensure that the documented risk assessment is sufficiently detailed, detailing action to be taken to minimise risks, including security measures. Carry out fire drills during the holiday club operation to ensure that holiday staff and children are familiar with emergency evacuation procedures;

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and to develop a system to record any parental complaints and update the group's complaints procedure to reflect regulatory requirements and the current address of the regulator.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Progress on these has been successful. The group now have a leader in charge that has been suitably approved and is appropriately qualified. Staff in the after school club are aware of their responsibilities to promote children's safety and a detailed risk assessment has been put in place which helps to minimise the risks. Fire drills have been regularly carried out both at the after school club and the holiday club and clear records kept. A detailed complaints procedure is now in place along with a complaints log, so staff are able to record them, should any occur.

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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): • ensure a record of existing injuries is kept and shared with parents • develop further hand washing procedures to help prevent the spread of infection.

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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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