Muskham Out of School Club Ltd

Muskham Out of School Club Ltd Inspection report for early years provision

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EY366576 Unique Reference Number 05 June 2008 Inspection date Christine Hands Inspector

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North Muskham Village Hall, Nelson Lane, North Muskham, NEWARK, Nottinghamshire, NG23 6HL

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E-mail

Muskham Out of School Club 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?

Muskham Out of School Club opened in 2007. It operates from the village hall in North Muskham and the group has access to three rooms, a kitchen and appropriate toilet facilities. The building is shared with other users. The club has access to a large village playing field. The club is registered to provide 40 places for children aged between three and under eight years of age. The club also provides care for children over eight. The club is open during term-time and sessions are from 07:45 to 08:50 before school and from 15:30 to 18:00 after school. During the school holidays and local school inset days it opens from 07:45 until 18:00.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 77 children on roll. Most children attending the club also attend the local school and live in the village and surrounding area. The club supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club employs 11 members of staff, eight of whom hold a relevant child care 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 good. Children's health is promoted well through the hygiene procedures undertaken within this setting. They are learning how to keep themselves healthy through well established routines and practices such as washing their hands as soon as they arrive at the setting and before eating. Although medicines are not normally given, there are robust procedures in place for both their administration and storage. This combined with the first aid qualifications of the staff and written permission from parents enabling staff to obtain medical treatment in the event of an emergency, enables them to be treated quickly and efficiently when needed. Parents are made aware of the incubation times of contagious illnesses and the reasons why their children will not be able to attend during this time.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the provision of nutritious meals and snacks; they learn about which foods they need to help them grow strong and healthy as well as which foods should only be eaten in moderation. On returning from school they eagerly wait for and devour their toast, sometimes coming back for a second helping. They freely help themselves to a selection of drinks preventing them from becoming thirsty. They are aware that after they have been playing strenuous games such as football, it is important they drink to re-hydrate their bodies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy spending time out in the fresh air as they are lucky enough to have a playing field just outside the village hall. They have opportunities both inside and outside for games such as football, volley ball, table tennis and tennis as well as more individual games such as skipping.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety and security is considered to be of paramount importance within this provision. Through the daily risk assessments, policies and procedures in place, hazards are minimised. A visitors book is in place and any person requiring entry onto the premises has to ring a bell on the outer door to alert staff. Children have ample space to move around freely and take part in numerous activities such as homework, craft work and imaginative play as well as more energetic games. They have a wide range of toys and resources which provide a stimulating and exciting environment encouraging children to move swiftly towards their chosen area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is promoted because the setting has good systems in place to identify and minimise risks both within the setting and when playing outside. Both staff and children wear fluorescent jackets whilst walking to and from school; mobile phones and registers are taken. The club has an arrangement with the school who contacts parents should a child who is expected does not turn up which ensures the continued safety of all children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because staff in the setting have a clear knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities with regard to the recording and reporting of child protection issues. The policy and procedure is very clear and all staff are required to read this and sign to say they fully understand the content during their induction. However, not all contact phone numbers in the case of a referral needing to be made are correct. Most staff have attended some child protection training. Parents are also made aware of the responsibilities

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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 of the staff within the provision and the action they will take if they have any concerns regarding any of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children eagerly enter the setting as they finish their day at school, chatting with each other as well as the staff. The relationships between the staff and children are excellent as children include them in their plays, sometimes as actors and at other times as part of an audience. Staff know the children so well, they are able to provide a wide range of activities that interest the children, covering areas such as imaginative, creative, physical and quiet activities. Groups of children clustered round the craft table colouring, working on quizzes and copying a member of staff as she showed them how to make boxes. Each child has their own folder where they are able to keep any unfinished work enabling it to be finished at a later date. A child working on a Sudoku puzzle was happy to explain how it worked and how enjoyable it was. Another group of children enjoyed a game of football in the large hall whilst a further group practised

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their skills with a skipping game. Children are confident and happy to approach staff and other adults to ask them to play board games, some concentrating more than others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Opportunities are also provided for children to complete their homework either in groups or individually. Throughout the session children were fully occupied moving from one activity and group of friends to another. The storage of resources is a problem and it would be unsafe for children to enter the cupboards themselves, so staff and children discuss at the end of each week what activities, toys and resources they would like out the following week. This enables children to have a sense of ownership of their surroundings. Staff interact well with the children, engaging in conversation, asking questions and showing an interest in what they are doing. They skilfully support the children enabling them to develop further in confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff are consistent in their positive approach with regard to behaviour management and have high expectations of the children, consequently their behaviour is very good. They play co-operatively, sharing and taking turns as they play games such as snakes and ladders and draughts. Whilst playing these games they are also learning the importance of playing fairly. Children are also learning the skills of negotiation which they sometimes need to resolve any minor conflicts between themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff have a clear understanding of the importance of treating all children with equal respect and concern and ensure that they obtain as much information as possible from parents prior to their child being cared for. This two-way sharing of information is greatly valued and both children and parents feel secure in the knowledge that their views and ideas are respected. Parents know the staff well and are very happy with the care their children receive. Regular newsletters are given to parents to keep them informed about developments within the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are gaining a greater understanding of the wider world through their involvement in a variety of topics which cover other cultures and countries. As well as celebrating a variety of festivals, staff ensure that children gain an understanding of the background to the varying customs. They have a good range of resources which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. Staff ensure that all children can take part in activities and modify these

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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 if necessary. Staff are experienced in caring for children who may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and ensure that staffing levels meet the needs of all the children within the group.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Although there has been no new recruitment of staff since the setting was registered, there are robust procedures in place to ensure that children are cared for by appropriately vetted and experienced staff who are enthusiastic in their approach. A clear induction procedure is in place for all new staff. Regular appraisals are undertaken giving both staff and the provider the opportunity to discuss any issues as well as identifying any training needs or wishes as the group is keen to further develop their skills and practice to improve the service they are offering. All staff hold current first aid certificates in case of a child having an accident as well as having received instruction in any medical procedures they may need to undertake with individual children.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are used well to promote the welfare and care of the children. All records are held securely and with regard to confidentiality. Staff work well as a team and are deployed effectively to ensure children are supervised sufficiently both inside and when away from the setting.

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Organisation

Overall, the needs of all children who attend are met

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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 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): • continue to develop the child protection policy to ensure it contains all the required details with particular reference to contact phone numbers.

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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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