Headstart Clubhouse

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. Headstart Clubhouse Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY319312 Inspection date 15/12/2008 Inspector Ann Taylor

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Setting address Huntingtower CP School, Huntingtower Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 7AU Telephone number 07980988456 Email ssjenkin@aol.com 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

Headstart Clubhouse is part of a chain of privately owned provisions. It opened in 2006 and operates from Huntingtower School, on the south side of Grantham. Children attending have access to two classrooms, the reception area, hall, library, computer room, adjoining outdoor play area and the south garden. There is a satisfactory level of access to the building for those with restricted mobility. All children attending are pupils of Huntingtower school. A maximum of 32 children may attend the setting at any one time. The club has in the past supported children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 40 children on roll aged from four to 11 years. It is open each weekday from 08.00 to 09.00 and from 15.15 to 18.00, term time only. The setting employs three staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The setting is on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The club provides a warm and welcoming environment. It is a place which children enjoy attending, and one where they can take part in an interesting range of things to do. Positive relationships and the provision for children’s welfare is good. Children’s learning and development are satisfactory. All the requirements from the previous inspection have been addressed. Based on how the club has moved on since then, it has a satisfactory capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the process of self evaluation, using the outcomes to help the club improve further  develop further school partnerships in order to identify how well children are learning and help build on particular points for their development  develop systems for recording children's achievements and use this information to help them move on more quickly with their play and learning.

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provision

Close relationships with parents and the school, appropriately qualified staff and good, varied accommodation contribute to the smooth running of this club. Arrangements for keeping children safe and secure meet requirements, and the standard of care is good. All policies and procedures are updated regularly. The process for self evaluation, in order to lead to improvement, is in its very early stages. The manager has a sound understanding of the club’s strengths and areas for development and has made an initial start on developing a more formal self- review process. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The club is getting to grips with the new requirements of the EYFS play and learning approach adequately. The deputy leader is experienced in understanding how young children play and learn. There is strong teamwork and good use is made of her expertise. The manager has not had the benefit of any specialised

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provision

training courses, or opportunities for professional dialogue. This means that some questions regarding implementing the new guidance have remained unanswered. As a result, progress in implementing new systems has been restricted. Day-to-day relationships with the school are well established, especially in helping two-way communication between teachers and working parents. This occurs because the manager works in the school and knows the families well. However, knowledge about how well each child is learning in the club or in school is not shared. As a result, the club cannot confidently build on particular points of children’s development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Carefully thought-out planning means children enjoy a variety of worthwhile, creative activities. These include making gingerbread men and sewing Christmas stockings to take home. As a result, children learn a range of useful skills for life, as seen when they carefully and neatly hand-sewed the red Christmas felt. Use of the computers in the school’s information and communication technology (ICT) suite also helps their skills improve. These all benefit their personal development and confidence. Attention to pupils’ understanding of safety is good. Resources are good, with some very up-to-date ones chosen by the children, such as the computer games. Use is carefully restricted so children enjoy a balance of things to do. Thought is given to provide activities which help with different types of learning and development, such as a sand tray and doll’s house.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Behaviour in the club is good because the staff’s approach of firm, fair and friendly discipline works well. Children’s needs in terms of having somewhere comfortable to relax in are sensitively catered for in the soft, cushioned area with sheets to make a den. They eat a good amount of fruit but a regular balance to include carbohydrates, such as toast for example, is not provided daily. Children get a good amount of exercise because there are numerous places they can run around in, such as the hall, playground and the South garden. A start has been made on evaluating how successful each activity is, but staff are learning how to adapt activities to better suit younger children's needs. Currently, there is no system to enable staff to assess how well children are doing, so they can build on successes and to aid their development. The manager has astutely identified giving children more responsibilities as an area for development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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? 3 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? 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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