Lions' Den Out of School 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. Lions Den Out of School Club Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 259704 Inspection date 18/03/2009 Inspector Ian Jones

p.1

Setting address Lionel Walden School, High Street, Doddington, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 OTF Telephone number 01354 740405 Email office@lionelWalden.cambs-schools.uk Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare A ct 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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.

p.2

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 A ct 2006

p.2

Description of the setting

Lions Den Out of School Club opened in August 1995. It operates from Lionel Walden Primary School in Doddington, Cambridgeshire. There is a good partnership with the school, including the Early Years Foundation Stage department, with whom it shares premises. Children have access to a classroom and a good range of appropriate outdoor play facilities within the school grounds, including a sheltered area. The club is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. It is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who have English as an additional language. The club can be accessed by children and adults with mobility difficulties or disabilities. It opens each weekday from 07.45 to 08.45 and from 15.00 to 18.00 during term times. A maximum of 32 children may attend at any one time, although the club limits this to 24 to comply with required staffing

p.3

Description of the setting

ratios. There are currently 35 children aged from four to 11 years on roll. All three staff hold appropriate early years qualifications and two staff are working towards further qualifications.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Provision at the Lions Den Out of School Club is good. It meets the needs of the early years children well. It is a lively and enjoyable place for children, where they learn and play happily together. The club runs smoothly because it is led effectively and teamwork amongst staff is good. Managers are conscientious in overseeing the work of the club. They ensure that all children are included in the life of the club and feel part of it. Improvements since the last inspection and the recently strengthened procedures for evaluating the success of current provision demonstrate that it is in a good position to improve further in the future.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 introduce arrangements for assessing children’s learning and development needs and for using assessment information as a basis for the planning of activities.

p.3

provision

The club is led and managed effectively, and has made good progress since the last inspection. As a result children’s learning and development are good. Managers have drawn up effective policies to ensure children’s welfare needs are met and these policies are regularly reviewed. Consequently, the setting meets current welfare requirements and staff ensure that children are safe and well cared for. Training in these matters is up-to-date for all staff. Managers have responded positively to the findings of the last inspection and the actions taken have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare A ct 2006 improved children’s understanding of health options through the healthy snacks on offer. Staff have appropriate child protection training and the policy in this area has been recently updated. Appropriate safeguarding procedures are in place. The setting enjoys good relationships with parents and works effectively in partnership

p.3

provision

with them. This partnership working with parents and carers has been strengthened further through the introduction of a system to record any concerns or complaints raised by parents and the complaints procedure is clear to all.

p.4

provision

Managers have introduced arrangements whereby staff contribute to evaluating the effectiveness of current provision. This is successfully enabling all staff to use their skills and expertise to work together and bring about any required improvements while maintaining strengths in provision. These arrangements give the club a good capacity for further improvement.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Relationships between children and staff are positive and staff provide a good balance of learning and leisure activities. The club promotes good progress in children’s personal development and satisfactory progress in aspects of their learning. The club makes a positive contribution to children’s personal development and staff plan a good range of activities that complement all areas of learning well. As a result, children much enjoy their time at the club and a good variety of activities motivate children to join in fully. Children make a positive contribution to the community, regularly supporting each other and playing well together. Children are free to choose activities such as art, designing and making, writing or imaginative play, and activities cover the full range of the areas of learning. The club plans effectively thus ensuring that the quality of learning is of a good standard. Staff strike a good balance between allowing the children to follow

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

their own interests and intervening to guide them in ways that ensure that children remain purposefully engaged. Staff observe children at work and play and report these informally to parents. However, there are currently no formal arrangements for assessing children’s attainments or for planning activities that build on children’s prior learning.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s well-being is of great importance to all staff and they are conscientious in putting the club’s welfare policies into practice. There are thorough checks on all facilities and resources at the start of every session. Records show that fire drills are regular and children spoken to knew what to do ‘when the whistle blows twice’. The occasional accidents are dealt with properly, and staff have appropriate qualifications in first aid for young children. There are clear records maintained that enable staff to inform parents of all accidents or of other incidents that could be of concern to them. Staff are conversant with the club’s child protection policy and have been recently trained on its implementation. There are good systems to ensure that places in the setting are pre-booked and this enables managers to secure appropriate adult to child ratios at all times. Similarly robust systems ensure

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

that only parents or known carers collect children.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s personal development is good because staff care conscientiously for their needs. Staff have high expectations of children’s behaviour. Children respond This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare A ct 2006 well to these because relationships between children and staff are good and staff deal firmly, but pleasantly, with any minor incidents that occur. The club promotes healthy lifestyles well. Snacks are healthy and children report that ‘there is always fruit or vegetables’ as snacks. There is good provision for outdoor play, with access to the school’s ‘trim track’ and school field. There is also a large canopy providing appropriate shelter in inclement weather. The session observed included a good range of physical activities for children, which contributed well to their enjoyment and health. A strength of the setting is the way that it brings together children of

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

different ages. This promotes friendships across the ages and results in a high level of mutual care and support. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare A ct 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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 A ct 2006

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.7

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 A ct 2006

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

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

p.8

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.

p.8