The Great Escape Kids Club

The Great Escape Kids Holiday Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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The Great Escape Kids Holiday Club

Unique Reference Number EY289128 Inspection date 01 November 2005 Inspector Gill Ogden

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The Great Escape Kids Holiday Club

Setting Address Mount Street School, Mount Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN1 3JG Telephone number 01522 527339

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E-mail

Registered person Great Escape Kids Holiday Club 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 satisfactory. 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 Great Escape Kids Holiday Club opened in July, 2004. It operates from rooms in Mount Street School in the city of Lincoln and there are outdoor play areas available. It is run by a volunteer committee and is open from 08:30 to 17:30 on weekdays in school holidays. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The club is registered to care for a maximum of 30 children at any one time and currently 152 children attend of whom 35 are under 8 years old. Of the 4 staff who work with the children, 2 have appropriate qualifications and one is working towards a recognised qualification.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are helped to keep healthy because of the procedures and practices that staff follow. Children understand why they need to maintain personal hygiene standards, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children's health is further protected through procedures such as using anti-bacterial cleanser on tables and the clear information that is available for staff and parents regarding exclusion periods for infectious diseases. In the event of a child having an accident, enough staff are first aid trained to ensure they can be attended to satisfactorily. Children enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise each day because they can spend as much time outdoors as they like and they take part in a variety of activities such as football, skipping and hide and seek. Children can relax comfortably on floor cushions if they are tired. Drinks are available to children throughout the day and they bring their own packed

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Helping children to be healthy

meal from home which they enjoy in a sociable atmosphere. However, the provided snacks of toast, biscuits and crisps offer little in the way of healthy options.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure environment. They are well supervised and risk assessment is ongoing so opportunities for them to have accidents are minimised. For example, equipment is checked regularly for its suitability and if children are found to be using fixed outdoor equipment inappropriately then it is made out of bounds temporarily. Children learn to keep themselves safe through taking part in regular fire drills and understanding safe behaviour both on the premises and when they go on outings. Procedures for the collection of children ensure that they only leave the premises in the care of known people. Children are protected by staff who know what to do if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. However, the written policy does not contain information to cover all eventualities and there are no documents available on national and local authority

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the club and enjoy the activities provided for them. Relationships between the staff and children are warm and positive and children play together harmoniously in small groups. Staff plan activities to themes each week, such as Halloween and Bonfire Night, which children are encouraged to participate

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 in, but they are free to do other things if they prefer. Activities that children particularly enjoy include board games, drawing, collage pictures, role play, ball games, quizzes and computer games. Children make the most of being able to play freely outdoors and enjoy being able to bring in recorded music and games from home to share with others. They have opportunities to learn new skills such as knitting and they are well supported by staff in this. Staff endeavour to plan for leisure activities similar to ones that children would enjoy if they were at home in the holidays and so, for example, visits to the cinema and seaside are arranged. Children's views are respected and all children are supported to take part in activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed and included in the club's activities. Staff make sure they feel valued by praising their efforts and valuing, for example, their artwork by displaying it. New children receive the attention they need to allow them to settle in fully and feel comfortable taking part in activities. Children behave well on the whole. They are aware of the rules of the club, which are reviewed at the beginning of each scheme, and respond well to staff's prompting to remind them to use manners. High value is put on encouraging children to be helpful and they are praised regularly for this. Staff's practice in managing behaviour is mostly reflected in the written policy. Parents are pleased with the care their children receive at the club. Staff ensure that parents give them all the necessary information about their children so they can be looked after appropriately and this is supplemented by daily chats when children are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

dropped off and picked up. All the club's policies are available for parents to read at any time.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Staff work well together as a team to ensure children's well-being is maintained. All of the staff are appropriately qualified or experienced and have been cleared as suitable to work with children. They ensure that the environment is organised to meet children's needs and the required staff: child ratios are maintained at all times. However, as the club only runs in school holidays, communication between the staff and committee has not always been totally effective in ensuring that the provision is monitored and evaluated fully. The policies and procedures that are in place are mostly effective in supporting practice but some lack sufficient detail.

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Organisation

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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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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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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 satisfactory. 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): • improve the healthy options children have for snacks • improve the communication between staff and committee to ensure that the provision for children is planned and reviewed more effectively • review the policies for behaviour and child protection to ensure that there is a clear reference to the unacceptability of bullying and the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a staff member is included.

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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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