Ready Steady Play

Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Primary School

Unique Reference Number EY295834 Inspection date 29 September 2005 Inspector Joan Isabel Madden

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Primary School

Setting Address The Willows Primary School, Victoria Road, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA15 6PP Telephone number 0161 980 7685

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E-mail

Registered person Catherine Clare Legg & Helen Catherine Fahy Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School 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 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?

Ready Steady Play was re-registered in 2004. It operates from the school hall, library and computer suite in the Willows Primary School on Victoria Road, Timperley. The club is privately owned and serves the children who attend the school. The club opens 5 days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 08:00 to 09:00 and from 15:15 to 17:45. There are 90 children aged from 3 years to 11 years on roll. They attend for a variety of sessions. There are ten part time staff who work with the children. A total of four staff have an

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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 early years qualification to NVQ level two or three. The setting receives support from Sure Start.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well protected from illness and infection because the staff conscientiously follow current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines. There are good routines in place for cleaning the premises including the toilets. The hall is clean and tables are covered with table cloths at snack time. Staff are appropriately qualified in food hygiene and correctly follow procedures. They wear plastic gloves and aprons whilst preparing food. Children clearly understand simple good health and hygiene practices; they all wash their hands before handling food and after using the bathroom. Staff are suitably qualified in first aid to enable them to appropriately treat children with minor injuries. Children enjoy an extremely generous and nutritious tea that includes a choice of freshly made sandwiches, fresh tomatoes, cocktail sausages, bread and butter, salad, dried and fresh fruit and an ice-lolly. They are ready for a snack at the end of

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Helping children to be healthy

the school day and appreciate the range and amount they receive. Children are learning the importance of drinking water as a healthier alternative to juices and a more effective way of quenching their thirst. They have good access to water throughout the session. The children's dietary and health needs are met well as staff work conscientiously with parents in finding out their children’s requirements and respectfully follow these. Daily routines include activities to help children develop physical skills and develop a healthy lifestyle. They make very good use of the large playground and field that is directly accessible from the hall. Children have a choice throughout the session of playing indoors or outdoors. Once outside they continue to benefit from effective adult support and are able to choose from a range of activities. They become involved in organised team games such as cricket, which helps to develop their

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Helping children to be healthy

co-ordination skills and sportsmanship. Others enjoy practising their balancing skills on the adventure playground or playing on wheeled toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure, stimulating and safe indoor and outdoor environment that is suitable for the purpose. Children rest and relax in the school library area where they are able to choose from an extensive range of books encouraging them to read for pleasure. They use the large number of computers in the computer suite productively to develop their IT skills. The children make very good use of the playground and field to enjoy the benefits of fresh air and physical exercise. The hall is appropriately organised into different areas to enable the

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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 to take part in a wide range of activities. Children confidently choose from an accessible, wide range of balanced toys and materials that are suitable for their age and interests. This helps to promote their independence and self-esteem. The resources are clean, safe and well-maintained to ensure the children’s safety. They are suitably geared towards helping the children to wind down and relax after their day at school. Children move around in a safe environment where risks are identified and minimised. The school responds well to the maintenance requests from the club and all necessary checks are carried out on the building and facilities. No safety issues have been identified. There are tight procedures for signing children in and out of the club, ensuring they are accounted for at all times. Children are learning to keep

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

themselves safe as they sign themselves out when playing outside and help to tidy up to prevent themselves from tripping over equipment. All children are well protected as there are clear child protection procedures in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Activities in the club follow a seven day rolling programme with a new theme introduced each week. This successfully provides the children with an interesting and stimulating range of activities to promote their knowledge and skills. Children are happy and secure in the club. They are confident, friendly and eager to join in with the stimulating activities available to them. They talk positively about their experiences and object when their parents come to pick them up early. Children know each other well from school and relish the time together to relax, play and unwind after school. Friendship groups cross over the age ranges giving children new insights. Older children take delight in looking after younger children thereby helping them to settle and become confident. These strong relationships enable the children to quickly become engrossed in their games and activities. The children play

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

imaginatively with small world scenes and in the role play area. A group of girls help to dress and make each other up in preparation for a 'wedding'. Two other girls become engrossed in the world of prehistoric creatures. Table top games help children to develop their manipulative skills as they skilfully negotiate the ball bearing around the path. Children confidently use art materials to create pictures and make patterns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are warmly greeted on arrival both in the morning and afternoon helping them to feel valued and welcome. Snack time is a very civilised and sociable event. Children learn to be mannerly as they wait until everybody is seated and then the food is shared around fairly. The tables are arranged in ‘family’ groups with one member of staff at each table. This encourages the children to talk to one another,

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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 helping to develop their self-esteem and respect for others. The staff are good role models with good strategies in place for achieving appropriate behaviour. Children are encouraged to share and play harmoniously and are rewarded for being polite. They are very well behaved. Staff demonstrate a sound awareness of equal opportunities and special needs. The children receive good staff support to ensure they all feel included. The wide range of activities encourages the children to make choices and take decisions. A variety of toys and resources are in place that reflect equality of opportunity. Particularly noteworthy is the excellent range of books and creative materials. The staff work in partnership with the school to help the children learn about different cultures. This

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Helping children make a positive contribution

enhances and extends the children's experiences of the world around them. Staff have built up good relationships with parents and create a welcoming atmosphere. Parents who arrive early to pick up their children feel comfortable and some stay for a while as their children play on. Staff work well with parents to meet individual children’s needs and ensure they are included fully in the life of the setting. Children’s records are complete and used effectively to ensure parent’s wishes are respected. Parents are well informed about events in their children’s lives

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Effective recruitment and vetting procedures ensure children are well protected and cared for by staff. However, overall the requirement for staff qualifications are not met. There are good child and staff ratios that positively support children’s care, learning and play. The children follow a sensible structured routine and there is a comprehensive operational plan in place demonstrating that the staff have a high regard for the well-being of all children. The accommodation is divided into areas to ensure the children experience a range of different types of activities. Staff meet regularly to ensure they are all aware of the children’s individual needs and any recent developments. Policies and procedures work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Generally, all documentation is correctly maintained with the exception of the medication records.

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Complaints 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

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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): • develop an action plan that sets out how staff qualification requirements will be met • keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children.

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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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