Kings Heath Playcare

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. Kings Heath Playcare Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 509432 Inspection date 05/05/2009 Inspector Edgar Hastings

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Setting address Kings Heath Primary School, Valentine Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B14 7AJ Telephone number 0121 444 5826 Email ruth.fisher@blueyonder.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 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

Kings Heath Playcare at Kings Heath Primary School is one of two settings run by Kings Heath Playcare. The play scheme opened in 1995 and provides before and after school care for children attending Kings Heath Primary school. A play scheme is provided during holiday periods, with spaces offered to the wider community. The play scheme is open during term time from 08:00 to 09:00 and 15:20 to 18:00. During the holidays operating hours are 08:00 to 18:00. Children have access to a large, well equipped outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

Children attend for a variety of sessions before and after school and during the holiday period. The setting currently supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and the building is wheelchair accessible. There are currently 54 children on roll of whom 24 are under five years of age, and another 32 children aged eight to 11 years on the Community Centre site in Heathfield Road, Kings Heath.

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Description of the setting

All seven members of staff have appropriate childcare qualifications. The setting has links with Kings Heath Primary School, Birmingham Playcare Network, Kings Heath/Moseley Play Forum and Highbury Children’s Centre. Kings Heath Playcare is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy coming to Kings Heath Playcare Before and After School Club because of the good quality of care provided for them. It is a very inclusive setting where all needs are well catered for, and in particular, for those children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The welfare of the children is given high priority. A good range of stimulating activities is provided for the children, and the opportunities to play and work together ensure they make very good progress, particularly in their social development. The strong leadership demonstrates the capacity to drive further improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the process of self-evaluation in order to identify areas for improvement  provide resources for information and communication technology and opportunties to enable children to develop their skills in this area This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The manager and her team ensure the children receive a warm welcome on arrival, and the after school club runs smoothly due to the well planned routines. The staff work well as a team and understand their roles and responsibilities well, and are appropriately qualified. Very good child protection and safeguarding policies are securely in place, with children’s safety being given high priority. Children are well protected through some well tried and tested procedures. Regular risk assessments and safety checks are carried out daily, and for all visits. All staff are carefully vetted before employment is taken up.

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provision

The club’s partnership with parents is outstanding. Parents are very supportive of the club and speak very highly of its popularity with their children. They are kept well informed about their children’s activities, about forthcoming events, and the club’s policies. A welcome pack is provided for parents of new children. Parents support the trips made in the summer and help to organise some of the activities. The management committee includes many parents who are involved in policy making and planning, and are currently seeking the views of other parents via questionnaires as a basis for their initial attempt at self-evaluation.

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provision

The strong links with the school ensures that the needs of children can be addressed through consultation and the sharing of information. This communication is particularly vital in the case of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Access to all the good quality outdoor play area is of great value to the provision of play opportunities for the children. The club also benefits from its connections with other play networks in terms of training and the acquisition of resources.

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provision

The issues identified for improvement at the time of the last inspection have been successfully addressed. There is now a much wider range of toys and equipment to support equality of opportunity. All parents now receive full information about the school club and the play scheme, and the club’s policies are accessible to all. The leadership have previously developed a business plan as a means for making improvements, and now are beginning the initial stages of the process of self- evaluation through consulting its parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children enjoy coming to the setting because their needs are well provided for in a welcoming atmosphere, and a good range of interesting activities provided to aid their development. The most striking feature to greet a newcomer is the very friendly nature of the children who help and support one another, and the extremely positive and warm relationship they share with the staff. It is clear that this ensures they are making very good progress in their social and emotional development. This is also evident in the way they play harmoniously together and conduct themselves during activity time. Whilst the setting provides a variety of organised experiences and activities, there is a strong emphasis on children developing independence and on them following their own interests. This is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 helping them to develop as confident learners.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The high quality outdoor play facilities enable children to develop and improve their motor and sporting skills through activities like football, as well as providing them with regular opportunities to participate in physical activity. The adventure play area enables children to climb, slide and balance, and to use the area imaginatively in making up their own games. They are well supported by the staff who join in with them and together they have lots of fun and laughter.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Creative activities are popular and children enjoy drawing, painting and cutting and sticking. Planning is completed jointly with all staff participating, using their knowledge of children’s interests and aptitudes, and linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. The key persons take responsibility for making assessments of children’s responses. At present the club does not provide information and communication technology facilities and consequently the children are unable to develop and extend further their skills in this area.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The promotion of children’s welfare is very good with action taken to ensure their safety and well-being. The Green Cross Code is taught to ensure their safety on the road, and the children all know that the club rules are there to ensure their safety. Behaviour is good because of the good role models presented to them by the staff. Good hygiene practices are followed to prevent the spread of germs and infection. Healthy life styles are encouraged very well too through the provision of healthy snacks and drinks, and children have developed a clear understanding about what constitutes a healthy diet. Children are very happy and work and play well together, and cooperate and help each other at tidy up time. They are being prepared well for the next stage of their education. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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

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