WASPS

WASPS Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360400 Unique Reference Number 01 July 2008 Inspection date Margaret Davie Inspector

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Watlington After School Playscheme, Watlington Primary School, Watlington, Oxon, OX49 5RB

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E-mail

The Old Station Nursery 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Watlington After School Club (WASPS) was registered in 2002 and re-registered under the new ownership of Old Station Nursery Ltd in 2007. It operates from the extended school's room in Watlington Primary School, with access to the school's playground, playing field and toilet facilities. A maximum of 24 children may attend the club at any one time. The club is open each weekday during term time from 07.30 to 09.00 for breakfast club and from 15.00 to 18.00 for the after school club. The holiday play scheme is open form 08.00 to 18.00 in school holidays. The club currently supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 50 children aged from four to 11 years on roll. Children come from the local community. The after school club accepts children from schools within the local area. The club currently employs six members of staff. Of these, half hold an appropriate early years 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. Children thrive because staff follow highly effective procedures to meet their health needs. The excellent adult support they receive helps children gain a very good understanding of hygiene and promotes their independence in self care. Children are cared for in a very clean setting and encouraged to wash their hands regularly either using the soft soap and paper towels or the dry wash which is provided on all the tables. This ensures they keep their hands clean, minimise the spread of germs and take responsibility for their own hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children help themselves to easily accessible drinks throughout the session. Drinks are available at the 'drink station' where they are encouraged to 'please help yourself'. They enjoy snacks they bring from home or help themselves to the freshly prepared fruit such as sliced oranges. Cooking activities such as making pizzas encourage children to develop a very good understanding of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy excellent opportunities for outdoor play. The club has its own secure outdoor area to which they have free access. Additionally, children use the outdoor facilities of the school such as playing team games on the playing fields or developing their physical confidence and control on the wooden adventure area. This ensures children get plenty of fresh air and practise their physical skills in a secure environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a very secure and welcoming environment. Staff are extremely vigilant to their safety and use thorough risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. Children are carefully supervised at all times, but given freedom to play within safe limits, for example as they independently access resources. Collection from school is very well organised and ensures that younger children are safely escorted to the meeting place from their classrooms. Children are immediately registered for their safety and regular head counts are conducted to confirm they are all accounted for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in the newly built extended schools room, which is very well equipped for their needs. They have access to sufficient and appropriate toilet facilities. They use high quality toys and equipment which are suitable for their ages and which they find interesting. For example, the wide range of dolls equipment which encourages imaginative play both indoors and outdoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children regularly practise fire drills to ensure they know what to expect in an emergency. They are very well protected by staff who have a clear understanding of child protection procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidance. Local authority contact numbers are always accessible should staff ever have a concern about a child in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children really enjoy the time they spend at the club. They have fun using the very good range of toys and equipment and enjoy being in the company of their friends. They arrive happy and

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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 spend a relaxed time greeting one another and sharing news about their day. Toys and resources are already set up when they arrive and they are offered a very good mix of free choice and adult led activities. For example, they play a game of pool with their friends, make individual pizzas with a member of staff and draw and colour. Children are not over directed by adults, but given excellent opportunities to make their own choices. Children may also sit quietly in the book corner watching an appropriate film or complete any homework they wish to do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Caring staff have very good relationships with the children and obviously enjoy their company, involving themselves in their play in order to support their development. Children are happy to approach them if they feel they need any help. Sessions are carefully planned to ensure children have weekly experiences to support their physical, intellectual and emotional development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's well being is highly promoted. Staff know them extremely well and make excellent use of the information they gather from parents to meet their individual needs. This makes children feel valued. Children are treated equally and staff show them that they have a high level of trust in them, for example by allowing them to access the cupboards independently to get out additional resources. This encourages children to develop good levels of responsibility. Children's understanding of diversity is very well promoted. They access a range of resources such as dolls from around the world, displays such as signs in a variety of languages and celebrate major festivals through cooking and craft activities. They consider the effect a major disability would have on their life as they write and perform plays for their friends.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is excellent. Staff have high expectations of them and set clear boundaries for them. They provide very good role models for children, treating them with courtesy and respect. As a result children are polite and courteous and develop good levels of maturity in their behaviour. Children draw up their own behaviour code and decide which aspects they think are most important, such as being nice to one another and being especially welcoming to new children. They take a good deal of responsibility for their own activities and as a result are supported in their understanding between right and wrong. Children play very harmoniously and show high levels of interest in their friends. For example, children listen very respectfully when others are sharing news about their day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are very good. They receive a warm welcome in the club's friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Children's care and welfare is very well supported by the ongoing dialogue between parents and staff. Secure systems are in place to assure that their children are only released to authorised adults.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit greatly from the well organised care they receive. Following the take over by new owners and a move to a new room within the school, a thorough audit of the club has been conducted. The new premises are very well organised to provide good play opportunities for children both indoors and outdoors and children enjoy a wide variety of experiences which support their overall development very well. Thorough planning has been done to ensure children are provided with a wide range of experiences and plenty of outdoor play when

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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 attending the holiday play scheme. Staff work well as a team to ensure the environment is set up before children arrive. As a result they spend their time interacting with children during hours of operation.

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Organisation

Staff are suitably qualified and undergo clear induction procedures to ensure they are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Whilst enough staff are suitably qualified to meet requirements, training certificates for all staff are not kept in the setting. All required documentation for the care of children is in place and is well organised. Records are stored with a high regard for confidentiality and easily accessible. This contributes significantly to children's health, safety and well being. The club meets the needs of the range of 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 good. 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 copies of staff training qualifications are kept on the premises

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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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