The Hollow Lane Club

The Hollow Lane Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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The Hollow Lane Club

Unique Reference Number EY291660 Inspection date 27 February 2006 Inspector Jacqueline Allen

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The Hollow Lane Club

Setting Address Ellen Tinkham School, Hollow Lane, Exeter, Devon, EX1 3RW

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E-mail

Registered person The Hollow Lane 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 Hollow Lane Club registered in 2005. It operates from the Ellen Tinkham School in Exeter and has the use of a range of classrooms, the school hall and the outdoor play area. Children attending the club come directly from the school which caters for children with special needs. The holiday playscheme also caters for siblings of children attending. The after school facility runs on a Monday from 15:30 to 18:30 and on Saturday 10:00 to 16:00, term-time only. The playscheme runs for two weeks in the summer and during Christmas and Easter as available. The club are registered for a maximum of 30 children between the ages of 3 and 8

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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 years, although they also accept children up to the age of 19 years. The after school facility currently have 2 children under 8 years on roll. The Saturday club and playscheme were not inspected at this time. Staff at the termly sessions are current employees of the school. Of the 5 staff, one has almost finished a level 3 qualification in care and all are booked to start a level 3 in playwork.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning about effective hygiene practices through the staff's role modelling and appropriate observations of children's practices. For example, staff notice when children put utensils into their mouth during a cooking activity and promptly take them away to be washed. Children independently wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet, using liquid soap and individual paper towels. Children are protected from cross-infection as a clear policy is shared with parents which excludes sick children. Of the five staff, three hold valid first aid certificates and first aid boxes are checked regularly. Children's medication needs are well understood and effective procedures to follow in emergency situations are recorded. However, children's welfare is compromised by the lack of detail in accident records. Children's healthy eating is effectively promoted through the choice of healthy

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Helping children to be healthy

snacks, such as, fruit and the wide range of nutritional food supplied for tea. For example, menus are shared with parents which include boiled egg with toast, tuna and sweetcorn rolls and vegetable sticks and cheese and tomato homemade naan bread pizza. Children's individual dietary needs are met as staff keep confidential records and parents always have the option of providing their own food. As children attending are not always aware when they may want a drink or be able to indicate if they do, staff ensure that children are given drinks twice throughout the three hour session, which ensures they are not thirsty. Children regularly enjoy physical activity both in the main hall and outdoors. Children take big steps, small steps and quick steps in time to the tambourine then stop when the music does, on a safety mat.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are familiar with the school premises, which helps them stay safe and have adequate space to meet their individual needs. Children are well supported by the use of suitable equipment and resources, such as specialised chairs to enable children to sit safely at a table. Children are able to safely access resources from low-level storage units.

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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 are learning about their own safety through effective explanations by staff. For example, children are reminded to sit still on their chairs because if they wander about they may be knocked over by someone coming in through the door. However, risk assessments are not personal to the setting and do not identify all potential hazards. Children and staff practise regular emergency evacuation procedures, however the club's own personal procedure is not displayed and fire drills are not recorded. In addition, visitors are not signed in and out of the premises to ensure children's safety. Children's welfare is adequately safeguarded as the child protection policy sets out clear responsibilities and recommendations of good practice. However, it does not include a procedure to follow if allegations are made against staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children participate in a good range of planned activities, such as drawing, playing board games, trampolining, parachute games, cooking, construction, craft activities, nature walks and outdoor play. Children make choices in their play from the wide range of activities on offer at each session. They are split into small groups and ably supported by trained staff who encourage children in their independence skills. For example, during a cooking activity children are expected to attempt to wash their hands, put on their aprons and roll up their sleeves themselves. Children sign their choice of lemon or honey on their pancake at the staff's request. Children interact well with staff who continually ask open-ended questions, such as, "which one do you like best?". Staff skilfully relate activities to children's individual stage of development and offer good opportunities for children to practise essential

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

skills like hand/eye co-ordination and counting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are well known by the experienced staff team who also work within the school and provide continuity of care for children. Children have access to a wide range of the school's resources which reflect diversity. Children benefit from the regular training which staff receive and the support both from the school and parents. Children are treated as individuals and are ably supported to partake in all activities. Staff provide 1:1 support for children as necessary and help them sit, stand, walk and run to ensure they can join in with the activities on offer. Children's particular needs are well documented along with details of any medication they are on, allergies and hospital number. Children with complex needs have specific procedures to follow to seek medical treatment and all parental consents are on file. Children mainly receive clear, consistent messages from the staff team who offer

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Helping children make a positive contribution

clear explanations on why certain behaviour is unacceptable. Children's behaviour

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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 incidents are appropriately recorded and shared with parents including those requiring physical restraint. Staff generally praise children's achievements. Children participate in helping staff record what they have done in the daily diary. This includes photos of children and evidence of their work which is shared with parents. Children benefit from an effective partnership with parents and staff as both are proactive at informing each other about children's needs to ensure continuity of care. However, the complaints procedure has not been updated to fully inform parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. Children and staff's daily attendance is accurately recorded. This shows the high ratios of staff to children to ensure children receive the appropriate support. However, visitors to the premises are not recorded. Staff deploy themselves well and are confident in their roles. Recent appraisals have identified the need for staff training which has now been booked. Staff generally have a sound knowledge of the National Standards and are aware of the significant changes and events which necessitate informing Ofsted, for example, the recent committee change and when the current supervisor commences her maternity leave. Some policies and procedures have not been updated, in particular: child protection; recruitment; and complaints in line with the new addendum to the National Standards. Some documentation is missing or lacks

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Organisation

sufficient detail, such as, accident records, risk assessments and a fire log.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

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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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 detailed accident records are maintained which include children's dates of birth and times of accidents • develop risk assessments to identify and minimise potential hazards, display the group's personal emergency evacuation procedure and keep a detailed fire log • update policies and procedures, in particular, the complaints, recruitment and child protection policies and maintain an accurate record of visitors to the premises.

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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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