The Playcentre

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. The Play Centre Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY308532 Inspection date 12/01/2009 Inspector Elizabeth Patricia Edmond

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Setting address Gladstone & Falsgrave Recreation Centre, Wykeham Street, SCARBOROUGH, North Yorkshire, YO12 7SA Telephone number 01723 503005 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

The Play Centre at Gladstone and Falsgrave Recreation Centre is a privately owned out of school care facility. The recreation centre is situated in Scarborough town centre. The group use the main sports hall, a smaller room and the centre's kitchen and toilet facilities. There is an enclosed area for outdoor play and the group also use the adjacent public playground.

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Description of the setting

The out of school facility was registered in July 2005 although was operating before that under a different owner. The club operates during term time from 7.45 to 9.00 and from 15.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday. During the school holidays opening times are from 7.45 to 18.00. The centre accommodates up to 50 children aged between three and 13 years when both the hall and small room are available together. At the time of inspection there was one child in the early years age- group on roll. The group is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register; at the time of the inspection there were 80 older children on roll in relation to these parts of the registration. All children attend a variety of part time sessions. The joint owners both have relevant childcare qualifications. Additional staff also work with the children to ensure that appropriate staffing ratios are met.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The Play Centre provides an inclusive environment where children are happy and enjoy attending. The group mainly provides care for older children, yet supports younger children effectively in accessing the range of enjoyable activities available. The shared nature of the premises presents a degree of challenge to the staff, but they arrive in good time to make the resources and facilities as cosy and accessible as possible. Management have begun to evaluate the quality of their childcare provision, although more consideration has recently been given to business development rather that the quality of care and learning provided.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 update information for parents so that it fully reflects the new framework and contains appropriate information about Ofsted  develop a systemised approach to linking with other early years providers to provide increased challenge and continuity in childrens development  develop systems to evaluate the provision critcally and to promote continous improvements in outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The adults work well together to create a stable, friendly environment for children. Staff fall easily into roll to support the children due to well rehearsed regular routines for collecting children. Clear recruitment procedures ensure that all those working with children are suitable to do so and assistants and volunteers are well supported in their own professional development. Whilst there is no formalised appraisal system for key staff they prioritise important training, such as first aid and child protection. Systems and routines to monitor and maintain children's safety are effective and procedures to safeguard the children and protect their wellbeing work well in practice.

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provision

Staff have used issues raised at previous inspections to make improvements in children's health. For example, children are now proud that they always remember to wash their hands before eating. They also willingly take local authority advice, for example, on how to present information for parents. Although management are happy to work with other agencies on improving outcomes for children, systems to evaluate their provision for themselves are only just beginning. Similarly, they have not been proactive in keeping abreast of changes to regulatory frameworks.

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provision

There is, on the whole, good clear information for parents about how the after school club operates and the type of activities provided. However, the recent review of information has been a little inconsistent and therefore contact numbers Ofsted are not the same throughout the policy folder; it is not clear to the reader which contact number is current. Similarly, the information does not fully reflect the changes to the regulatory framework. Relationships with parents are relaxed and friendly and they chat about care arrangements and the days events at collection time. Parents happily contribute to the inspection process and are particularly grateful of the staff's dedication to conveying important messages from school. Staff are well known in the school where they regularly collect children and relationships with the teaching staff are friendly. This means that difficulties can be discussed should they arise. However, there is no systematic approach to liaising

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provision

with other providers where children also access the Early Years Foundation Stage. Systems for linking with other agencies in relation to children's individual care needs are more clearly defined.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make themselves at home in the play centre. The shared nature of the premises, means that everything has to be packed away after each session. However, staff open the cupboards after tea so that children can see everything that is available and they confidently ask for items they cannot reach. Although there is no specific focus on challenging children in relation to their learning and development, staff provide a range of recreational and sporting activities that enable children to consolidate what they learn in school. For example, table top games where children use their developing skills to notice similarities and differences, add the dice together and to keep score are available. There are opportunities for creative play from time to time when staff set out art equipment This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 or dressing up clothes; staff provide more creative activities during the school

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

holidays when children are there longer. Importantly, key staff have an understanding of the six areas of learning and how this can be addressed through children's favourite play activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A key strength of the provision is in the group's approach to sport. Children develop a highly positive attitude to being active. They have great fun in the large hall, taking part in a broad range of exciting games. This promotes their good health, successful relationships and increased confidence. Although most children attending the centre are older, younger children are actively encouraged to join in and they are sensitively supported. Parents comment very favourably on children's increased confidence since they have been attending. Staff deal skilfully with a range of children's behaviour which contributes significantly to the pleasant, yet vibrant environment. Children's health is also promoted because staff remind them to drink plenty of water after their active play. Staff plan activities to help children to learn about healthy eating and fruit is often available, although they often rely on convenience food that they know children will like for their tea time snack.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Risk assessment is used successfully to open up some interesting outings for the children. Children talk with excitement about their regular walks or games of hide and seek in the park, their visits to see Father Christmas or when they play on the refurbished play area. Staff are proactive in assessing unexpected potential risks as they present themselves, and minimise them immediately without inhibiting children's enjoyment. They also make sure that children know how to keep themselves safe through their own understanding of routines and procedures; for example, children know the importance of wearing their high visibility tabards when out and about in winter, or their club hats in the summer. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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