Mini Meadows

The Meadows School

Inspection report for early years provision

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The Meadows School

Unique Reference Number EY301456 Inspection date 11 November 2005 Inspector Anne Felicity Taylor

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The Meadows School

Setting Address Bristol Road South, Northfield, Birmingham, West Midlands, B31 2SW Telephone number 0121 675 3203

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E-mail

Registered person Kerry Lorna Stanford Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Meadows School Out of School Club opened in 2005. It operates from the hall and dining room of the Meadows School in the Northfield area of Birmingham. A maximum of 40 children may attend the setting at any one time. The club is open each weekday from 07:30 to 08:50 and 15:30 to 18:00 in term time only. The provider offers a holiday play scheme on a different site. Children have access to a secure outdoor play area. There are currently 44 children aged from 4 to 10 years on roll. All the children using the club attend the Meadows School. The setting is able to support children with

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The out of school club employs 5 staff. Staff are offered training opportunities and short courses and 4 of the staff hold an appropriate early years qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health within the setting is supported successfully as staff encourage children in effective personal hygiene routines, for example, hand washing before tea. They are cared for well if they have an accident or become ill because all staff are first aid trained and contact details for each child are in place. Children's well-being is monitored closely by staff and thorough procedures are in place for the administration of medication, ensuring parents are fully informed about their child. Good procedures are in place to pass on information from school to parents. Children develop independence skills well, selecting their own food and drinks. Children understand the importance of keeping themselves healthy with plenty of drinks and a healthy diet, for example, water is available at all times. Children's dietary needs are always met as procedures ensure that all staff are clear about a

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Helping children to be healthy

child's individual needs. Staff have completed food hygiene training and ensure that food is stored and prepared safely, for example, monitoring and recording refrigeration temperatures. Children benefit from a wide variety of physical play, for example, indoor football in the hall. Outdoor play is part of the daily routine, weather permitting. Children enjoy using the school playground for ball games and running, and music and dance indoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are secure and confident in the club environment. There is plenty of space for indoor and outdoor play. Children benefit from the policies and procedures in place to ensure their safety, for example, arrival and departure procedures and the security of the building. Children's registers are not always clear and attendance numbers can be difficult to count. Risk assessments for all areas and activities are in place and reviewed regularly, ensuring children are generally safe. Children enjoy the wide range of appropriate play equipment which is well-maintained and cleaned regularly. Children are comfortable requesting specific items and activities, for example, the remote control cars, organising their own play with friends. They have easy access to a lot of equipment. Staff are deployed well, ensuring children are supervised and supported in all their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children have been involved in developing the club rules and consequently develop an awareness of staying safe, for example, keeping the soft football low to avoid accidents. They are given regular opportunities to discuss and practise emergency evacuation. The numbers of children at the setting is not always clear from the register, causing a risk on evacuation. Fire safety equipment is checked regularly. Children stay safe when they are collected from school as appropriate procedures are in place, for example, parents signing children out. Children have opportunities for small group discussion about personal safety, developing their understanding effectively. Children's welfare is safeguarded effectively as staff have a sound understanding of child protection policies and procedures and are able to recognise abuse and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

neglect. All staff complete child protection training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children respond well as they are greeted personally by staff and their friends on arrival. They settle quickly to the wide variety of activities provided. Children build strong relationships with their peers and with staff, enabling them to take part in organised or supervised activities or to plan and organise their own play and have lots of fun. Children enjoy discussing the plans for the session and develop confidence as they make suggestions for an activity, for example, how to make poppy leaves for Remembrance Day poppies. There is a wide range of resources which spark the children's interest and keep them busy, for example imaginative play in the 'shop' and playing the electronic piano. All the children benefit from active physical play indoors and outdoors. Many children enjoy completing art and craft activities, discussing design and colour confidently with staff, as they complete Diwali cards. Relationships

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

between the children are strong as they chat and play together, with staff providing unobtrusive supervision. Children are offered opportunities to increase their learning and skills as they complete homework, read and learn to sew using a sewing machine. They are offered appropriate interesting activities because staff take responsibility for planning, communicate well and respond flexibly to the requests of the children, effectively ensuring the children's well-being and enjoyment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing respectful relationships with staff and each other because the staff are very good role models and encourage good manners and consideration. Children's confidence and self-esteem increases in the busy environment, as they select activities and talk to staff, voicing their opinions and choices. Children are proud of their art work and look forward to showing it to their parents. They

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 appreciate the praise offered when they respond to requests from staff and help each other, for example, helping to tidy up. Children behave very well within the boundaries set by staff and the club rules they have developed themselves. They are valued as individuals and the policies and procedures in place ensure that all children are included in all activities and all their needs are met, for example special educational needs and dietary requirements. They are developing a good understanding of the needs of others as they are praised for sharing and taking turns. Partnership with parents is good. Relationships are strong and very friendly and parents appreciate the flexible service offered by the club. They like the opportunities their children are offered for physical play and the time to complete homework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents discuss all aspects of the care offered with staff and the daily events and their child's achievements. Good information is provided on the parent's notice board including activity plans, policies, insurance and registration documents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a safe environment because the registered person uses appropriate recruitment and vetting procedures. Children are supported well in their play and recreation because the ratio of staff to children is very good. Staff communicate effectively amongst themselves and with parents, ensuring that the promotion of the children's health, safety, learning and enjoyment is a priority. Children benefit from the diverse qualifications and skills of the staff team, enjoying opportunities for conversations, organised activities and appropriate support when planning their own activities. Staff complete short courses and add to their existing qualifications, for example, first aid and behaviour management. They are dedicated to the well-being of the children and work well as a team during the daily routines and activities. The flexible planning and organisation ensures that the children have their

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Organisation

individual needs and aspirations met. All staff and parents have easy access to all policies and procedures which generally work in practice ensuring children's safety, enjoyment and achievements. Parents are asked to provide all the relevant information to ensure the service meets their needs, for example, days and times of attendance. The club meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure registers are clear and include numbers of children present.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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