The Big Adventure Club Greendown

Big Adventure Club (Greendown)

Inspection report for early years provision

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Big Adventure Club (Greendown)

Unique Reference Number 159430 Inspection date 25 August 2005 Inspector Susan, Esther Harvey

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Big Adventure Club (Greendown)

Setting Address Grange Park Way, Grange Park, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 6HN

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Big Adventure Club (Greendown)

Telephone number 01793 875992 or 07977570488mob E-mail peterbailey@thebigaclub.com Registered person The Big Adventure Club Ltd Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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Big Adventure Club (Greendown)

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 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?

Big Adventure Club at Greendown opened in 1994. It operates from nine rooms and two halls within Greendown Community School in the Grange Park area of Swindon. A maximum of 150 children may attend the club at any one time. The club is open five days a week from 7.30am till 18.00 during holidays, and 15.00 to 18.00 during term time. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 380 children aged from 4 to under 8 years on roll and children come from a wide catchment area. The group currently supports children with special needs and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional

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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 language. The club employs 25 staff. There are 20 staff members including the manager who hold an appropriate early years or play-work qualification, 3 staff are working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children experience an interesting range of activities that contribute to their physical skill and lifestyle. For example, children confidently slide down a high inflatable slide, they enjoy the thrill of balancing as long as possible on a “bucking bronco” machine while extending their muscle control. Children improve their hand and eye coordination as they concentrate while playing table tennis and air hockey. Well-organised routines and diligent staff enable children to learn the importance of good personal hygiene. All documentation relating to the health of the children is maintained to a high standard. A majority of the staff hold first aid certificates. Several staff members have specialist training; for example in asthma and allergy treatment. Children’s tea is healthy and nutritious. This meal is provided by staff trained in food hygiene. Children have the opportunity to buy sweets from the club tuck shop. The

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Helping children to be healthy

amount children can spend is limited. However children do not have an alternative option to buy fruit .Children learn to understand their own bodily needs as they independently access drinks. Children are provided with healthy eating advice from local visitors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children remain safe as the committed staff diligently monitor their movements from one area to another. As a result children are able to move independently between buildings to access a wide range of exciting activities. Indoor and outdoor risks have been minimised by experienced and qualified staff. For example; there is a clear procedure in place for children to be collected from various schools with regard to the after school club. Experienced staff monitors the “bucking bronco” machine which gives children the chance to have an unusual balancing experience while landing safely surrounded by a circle of soft safety mats. Staff experienced in managing large numbers of children supervise the high inflatable slide. This ensures that children are safely monitored while enjoying the experience. Children benefit from the freedom to use an interesting range of equipment both

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

indoors and outside. The use of Quad bikes gives children the opportunity to extend their concentration skills in a safe environment. Written parental permission for children to use the equipment is provided. Children learn how to protect themselves as they use protective clothing when accessing roller blades and scooters.

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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 Children are kept safe by the sound understanding of the procedures to be followed if staff have concerns about a child. Clear staff induction and training ensures that children are safe through the diligent monitoring of all activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit highly from having freedom of choice during their time in the play scheme. For example, the activity planned by the staff was changed by the children who enjoyed creating a fairy castle out of newspaper soaked in glue and wrapped around plastic tubes. When the castle was dry children painted it pink with paper doilies added to the turrets to give it the “fairy effect”. All aged children contributed to the building of the castle. Children cooperate enthusiastically to build a model car with a mechanical engine. All aged children were included in the “team”. Older children act as “buddies” for the new children and are young helpers, who engage in the new and younger children’s play and show them around the activities. A snooker competition resulted in all aged children working together competitively in a knockout game. Children are able to compete in various competitions during the summer. For

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example, boys and girls are able to use their creative and imaginative skills as they practice and present a dance routine in pairs. This was then judged by other children and the staff. Each winner of the competitions receives a trophy. The competitions take into account many different types of activity and all types of ability. For example children are able to win trophies for writing a poem, creating a unique piece of construction kit or for a snooker game. Children delight in the opportunity to climb up high and slide down an inflated slide. They relish in the thrill of coming down fast clutching teddies and dolls. Children are highly skilled using the computer games which is closely monitored by the staff, so that children experience other types of activities offered in the play scheme.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are given the opportunity to be involved in the club. An example of this is choosing a much enjoyed activity again the following year, or the choice to have a separate room for the older children. All children are included in every activity and are treated as individuals by the staff. Children are kind and considerate toward each other and the “buddy” scheme enables new and young children to feel secure. Children come from a wide catchment area and benefit from playing with a mixed range of ages and abilities. Children learn about disability in a practical way as they create a poster around the Paralympics. The games created an interest in the children who decorated the poster with cut out trophies from magazines and new paper articles.

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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 Children’s behaviour management is good. They benefit from the fair, firm and friendly disposition of the staff which enables children to work together harmoniously in many of the activities. Staff members encourage children to behave well through their positive praise and high expectation of good behaviour. Children benefit from the professional relationship between staff and parents, where relevant information is shared each day. Written information details policies and procedures, and answers frequently asked questions. Children with special needs benefit from the freedom to access all the activities. Children’s individual needs are addressed while being valued for their contribution in the club.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are free to choose their own activities throughout the day. They feel at ease and comfortable with experienced staff. Children are kept safe through the close monitoring of their movements and appropriate deployment of staff by managers. This ensures that the adult-child ratio is met and that children have good attention from staff where needed, and the independence to take part in activities without support. The registered person uses an effective recruitment procedure which ensures that staff members are suitable to work with children. All documents are in place for the safe and efficient management of the provision. Policies and procedures are made accessible to parents on the internet as well as in the form of paper copies which are kept on file. These are accessible to staff and parents in both the play scheme and the after school club setting. The setting meets

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Organisation

the needs of the range of children for who it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The setting has made improvements acting on the last inspection. The provider was asked to extend the range of resources to promote positive images of disability. The children took part in creating a poster following the Paralympics in which pictures of various athletes were included and a record of their achievements. Children's understanding of disability was improved in a positive and creative way.

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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

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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 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 children are provided with healthy options while accessing the tuck shop

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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