Hopscotch Kids Club

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. Hopscotch Kids Club Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY316911 Inspection date 23/01/2009 Inspector Philip Hewett

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Setting address Heathlands Primary School, New Church Road, West Bergholt, Colchester, Essex, CO6 3JF Telephone number 01206 241058 Email gilliana2@aol.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

Hopscotch Kids Club is an out of school club which is privately owned. It opened in 2005 and operates from the Lilac Suite in Heathlands Primary School. It is situated in West Bergholt, near Colchester. A maximum of 24 children may attend the club at any one time. The out of school club is open each week day from 08.00 until 09.00 and 15.00 until 18.00, school term time only. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 48 children from four to 13 years on roll. Children come from Heathlands Primary School plus one older former pupil. The out of school club is prepared to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and English as an additional language. There is disabled access. The club employs five staff. Two of the staff, including the supervisor, hold appropriate early years qualifications. Two staff are working towards a qualification.

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Description of the setting

The club is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The after school club offers satisfactory provision for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The club has a number of strengths including the fact that children enjoy attending. One parent said her children want to come even when they don’t have to. Partnership with parents is good with a regular exchange of information. There are effective links with the school. The club uses self-evaluation satisfactorily, for instance, it focuses on learning through play and has a key person system in place with comprehensive assessment systems to help children make good progress in their learning and development. The club recognises that each child is unique and welcomes children of all backgrounds and learning needs. Satisfactory arrangements ensure children’s welfare and safeguarding.

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further?

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

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further?

 make an overview which records the checks completed on staff and when they were received  promote more opportunities for displaying club members work to create a more stimulating environment.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 make sure that half of all staff hold a full and relevant level 2 qualification (Suitable People) (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 31/12/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure the designated person attends a child protection training course. (Suitable People) 31/07/2009

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provision

Satisfactory leadership ensures that children’s welfare needs are met appropriately. The proprietor has attended suitable training to make sure the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage have been fully implemented. Issues from the last inspection have been addressed in a satisfactory manner and a more formal process of self-evaluation has just been started. Therefore there is a satisfactory capacity to ensure continuous improvement. Children achieve well because there is a comprehensive record system which enables key people for each child in the early years to make assessments against the range of learning experiences at the club. Children settle quickly as a result of the good links with the school and parents which means that information can be shared. The staff work well as a team and meet on a regular basis to plan the weekly themes.

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provision

Children are cared for in a safe environment because all necessary policies and procedures are in place and most have been recently updated satisfactorily. For example, a suitable record of daily visual checks is completed to ensure that the premises and equipment are fit for purpose. The children are adequately aware of how to evacuate the building in the event of a fire. An overview sheet has not been created which would record the checks made on staff and when they were obtained. This means that not all staff are clear about who has gained all the necessary checks and who has not. The proprietor has had recent child protection training, but there are two days a week when she is not present and the supervisor, who is the designated person on these days, has not undertaken child protection training. Children’s individual needs are met satisfactorily because staffing ratios always exceed minimum requirements, although the number of staff

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provision

who hold appropriate early years qualifications is insufficient. Two staff are in the process of obtaining these qualifications.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress in all areas of learning because the club places a great emphasis on social relationships and learning through play. Parents say they value this and that the club is very successful. The children told the inspector that they have developed new friendships, in some cases with children they do not see outside of the school or club. They work collaboratively with one another, taking turns and playing together effectively in pairs or small groups. The children’s behaviour is good, and when there is a tendency for a few children to become over excitable it is firmly, but sensitively managed by staff.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy good quality relationships with staff. The staff interact effectively so that children can make the most of the learning opportunities. Younger, and more shy children are given good attention and this enables them to play happily either This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with, or alongside the older children. Each child who is in the early years has been allocated a key person to form a special relationship with and who monitors their progress in learning and development. Learning and play activities are based around a theme for the week. At the time of the inspection it was ‘Our favourite animals’. Children are given encouragement to stay safe and be healthy because these themes and other issues are considered deeply in discussion times. Children are also encouraged to play imaginative games, or to choose freely from a variety of adult-led or independent activities such as construction apparatus or art and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

craft. A ‘junk model’ of a polar bear, made by one of the children who is under five years of age, was on display. In general, the club room is looking rather ‘tired’ and displays are not used well to create a stimulating and welcoming environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are safeguarded satisfactorily. Suitable risk assessments are carried out to ensure that staff awaiting employment checks are not left on their own with children. Staff also attend to welfare and hygiene requirements in a satisfactory manner. For example, children wash their hands before eating and tables are wiped down. Snack time is a pleasant social occasion where children all sit together and are encouraged to talk to each other. They are offered a variety of healthy foods including sandwiches and fruit. Whenever possible they are encouraged to spend some of their time outside playing games which involve vigorous physical activity. Most children take part in these activities and as a result they lead healthy lives successfully at the club. Children are prepared in a satisfactory way for the next steps in their learning through helping them to work together in teams, the provision of Information Communication Technology, and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

activities that encourage the development of language skills. 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? 3

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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? 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Qualifications and training) 31/12/2009 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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