Kids Zone

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. Hotel & Extreme Academy Kids Zone Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY377287 Inspection date 16/02/2009 Inspector Linda Janet Chauveau

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Setting address On The Beach, Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4AA Telephone number 01637 860 543 Email life@watergatebay.co.uk 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 Hotel and Extreme Academy Kids Zone is managed by the directors of The Watergate Bay Hotel It opened in 2008 and operates from The Kids Zone, a designated suite of rooms situated within The Watergate Bay Hotel, at Watergate Bay, near Newquay in Cornwall. Children have access to an enclosed outdoor play area. It is open each weekday for closed sessions from 10.00 to 12.00, 14.00 to 16.00 and 18.30 to 21.30 depending on demand throughout the year. Only the children of hotel guests attend, and parents are expected to stay within the resort.

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Description of the setting

The Kids Zone is registered on the Early Years Register. A maximum of 24 children may attend the facility at any one time. There are currently 31 children aged from three years to under five years on roll. The setting also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the setting

There are six members of staff, three of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications to NVQ level 3. Three staff are currently working towards a qualification. The setting receives support from the Local Authority Family Services.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the Kids Zone, they are well cared for by staff that work hard to support and include them all. Children are safe and secure at all times and learn through playing in a fun environment. Only hotel guests use The Kids Zone and the staff team ensure that effective systems are in place to maintain contact and communication with them during their stay. Regular reflection by the manager and her staff has identified priorities for future development in order to improve the services offered to its users.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to provide a dialogue about children's learning and any other relevant information with parents and others who may provide the EYFS  further develop the systems used to observe children to help plan relevant experiences for them  increase opportunities for children to find out about and use appropriate information technology such as computers and programmable toys that support their learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The manager organises her staff team well so that they work effectively together to maintain ratios and support children. Full time staff hold level 3 qualifications and part time staff are attending relevant child care courses; all attend training to keep their skills up to date, for example refresher courses on child protection. The senior management have systems in place to check the suitability of new staff and to support existing staff through regular reviews and appraisal.

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provision

The Kids Zone is set out to be bright and visually stimulating with a good range of accessible resources available. The playrooms are fully secure with good systems in place to monitor access to the setting. An extensive range of operational policies and procedures support staff in maintaining high standards to safeguard and promote children's welfare at all times. Records and documentation are confidentially maintained and in good order. The hotel provides parents with useful information about The Kids Zone and the planned activities on offer. Parents provide required information on their children whilst registering and staff offer feedback through daily exchanges of information. Staff develop good working relationships with parents who provide very positive feedback on the standards of care given though questionnaires and the well-used comments book.

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provision

The manager has set up effective systems to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the provision, through regular discussion with her staff team, by taking note of parental feedback and by accessing support from local authority staff. From this, she has correctly identified areas for improvement; both in the range of resources and activities provided and in the systems used to communicate with others. The manager shows that she has the capacity to work with others to continuously improve standards.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy, confident and enjoy their time at The Kids Zone. Most are familiar with the environment, as they have already visited for open play sessions accompanied by their parents. As a result, most settle well and enthusiastically start to play when they arrive. Staff plan a flexible structure to each session with an adult led craft activity on offer which is easily adapted to be enjoyed by all. For example, children of all ages and abilities happily attempt to make boats from driftwood collected from the beach. Staff support and encourage them to design and make the boat, mast and sails. Children are proud of their work and particularly pleased with the suggestion that they can attempt to float and sail the boats later in the day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The play rooms are well set out with an extensive range of resources that promote most aspects of children's learning and development. Children freely choose from books, games, puzzles and toys, including resources to develop their understanding of similarities and differences. However, there are no toys to enable children to use information technology in their play. Children have many good opportunities to be creative, they have free access to a wide range of arts and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 crafts materials, allowing them to design and make independently; the exciting variety of role-play props actively supports and encourages imaginative development. Examples of children's creativity are displayed throughout the play rooms. Outdoors, the large wooden pirate ship, with scramble net, slide and climbing wall provides many physical challenges, whilst children enjoy exercise in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

On arrival, children share their particular interests with staff and have independent access to the toys and play materials available. This enables staff to provide them with relevant play choices, promoting confidence and self-esteem. Even though children only attend for short periods of time during their stay at the hotel, they quickly form friendships and benefit from the social opportunities to meet new children from different backgrounds. They play well together and show interest and enthusiasm in their activities. They understand the expectations of behaviour and respond to the positive management by staff, for example observing the safety rules when climbing on the pirate ship. Children are encouraged to be responsible for themselves, they get their own drinks from the water dispenser and use the toilets independently.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Since the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework was introduced, staff have started to develop simple observation and basic assessment systems of children. These are intended to show that children are achieving under the early learning goals and to point to the next steps in their learning. However, due to their short term patterns of attendance staff find it challenging to evidence children's progression. The manager has correctly identified this as an area for improvement, along with sharing developmental information with parents and other providers of the EYFS. She has noted that some families return to the hotel on a regular basis and is working on developing systems for sharing information with them in order to complement the care that children receive elsewhere. 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? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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 registration.

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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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