Explosion The Altogether Club

Explosion The Altogether Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Explosion The Altogether Club

Unique Reference Number 253262 Inspection date 26 October 2005 Inspector Sheena Gibson

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Explosion The Altogether Club

Setting Address Sutton Road School, Retrace Centre, Moor Lane, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 5SF Telephone number 01623 455920

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E-mail

Registered person Retrace 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?

Explosion, The Altogether Club opened in 1996. It operates from The Retrace Centre and the school hall at Sutton Road Primary School, in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club serves the school and also children from the local community, if places are available. It is registered to provide care for 20 children under the age of 8 years. There are currently 43 children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. The club also supports children who have special needs. It operates from Monday to Friday during term time, with a breakfast club from 08.00 until 08:50, for children within the school, and an after school session from 15:15 until 17:45. There is also a holiday club from 08.00 to 17.45 during the school holidays. The club employs 3 full-time staff

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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 who work with the children. A minimum of 50% of the staff have an appropriate childcare qualification. The club receives support from the Nottinghamshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained setting. Their well-being is promoted through regular cleaning of tables, and toilets frequently checked for cleanliness. They learn about the importance of good hygiene, through activities and gentle reminders from staff. They wash their hands before eating and often remind each other of the importance of washing their hands before, for example, baking. Good procedures are in place to reduce the risk of illness spreading. For example, parents are informed not to bring poorly children to the club and are contacted if a child is unwell whilst attending. These positive procedures ensure that children's good health is maintained. All staff have undertaken first aid training, enabling children to be swiftly attended to if they have a minor injury. Parents are asked to sign accident records, ensuring that appropriate care can be continued. Children's

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Helping children to be healthy

meals are provided by parents and appropriately stored. During the session children recognise when they are thirsty. They freely and independently access drinks from a prepared jug of water or juice. They benefit from a large outdoor area for exercise and general outdoor play. Their health is actively promoted through games and sports, such as, football, cricket and the opportunity to benefit from working with a sports development coach, which they thoroughly enjoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a welcoming environment that is secure and attractive to them. They have facilities that help them to play and have fun, sit quietly, eat comfortably and manage their own personal needs. Toys and equipment are enjoyed by all children. They are of good quality and easily accessed. Children understand how to safely handle equipment through good staff guidance. For example, staff remind them to be careful with scissors. Children's safety is prioritised. Risks are minimised through vigilant staff and the effective use of daily risk assessments. Staff have taken practical steps to ensure children's safety inside, although there are some hazards in the playground. The premises are very secure, ensuring that children are safe from leaving the building unnoticed and also safe from visitors who are unknown to the staff. Children are well supervised due to good staff numbers and effective

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

deployment. This ensures that they can freely and safely move around the rooms, selecting different activities independently. Children learn about personal safety through, for example, projects on road safety and practising fire drills. They also gain an awareness of other dangers that may affect them, such as mobile phone theft. Children's welfare is maintained, as some staff have knowledge of the procedures to follow if they have a child protection concern.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy attending the club. They are confident, eager to join in and have good relationships with the staff. They continually show interest in the good variety of activities on offer and enthusiastically have a go at everything. They freely access toys, play materials and games, supporting choice and independence. Clearly written and varied play plans help children to feel secure within a routine and also to be involved, creative and active. This offers some structure for those children who prefer it; with independent choice for them to use free expression. Children enjoy time spent with their peers or working within small groups. They co-operate well and encourage each other when playing games, such as cricket. Their imagination and creativity are fostered when making up games in the home corner and developing ideas through box-modelling. They enthusiastically recall their favourite activities,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

such as craft, or playing on the computer. Visitors to the club offer children a variety of ways to gain new learning whilst having fun. For example, visitors from the police, who discuss safety, and people from the local superstore, who talk about healthy eating. Monitoring and evaluation of the activities ensures that children continue to enjoy the club.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected within the club, by the staff and each other. Their individual needs are given high regard. Information is sought regarding needs and preferences prior to children starting at the club. This enables effective steps to be taken to promote inclusion. Children are consulted about what they want to do, supporting independence and decision making. Their views about the club are sought, helping their future enjoyment and promoting mutual respect with staff. Children with special needs are well included and encouraged to have a go at all activities. All children are involved in the setting up of rules and boundaries within the scheme. Routines and rules are displayed in pictures as well as words to ensure that all children are informed and understand. Consequently, they are very well behaved and respond positively to staff. Purposeful praise is often given; any unacceptable behaviour is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

dealt with appropriately and consistently by staff. As a result, children understand the boundaries and their self-esteem is fostered. Children benefit from the staff having good relationships with their parents, who are well informed about the provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by staff that are well qualified and suitably checked. Staff practice is regularly assessed and their training needs addressed, supporting the continual improvement of the care offered to children. Comprehensive recruitment procedures ensure that staff are appropriately trained, to offer good quality care for the children. They show a sound understanding of the policies and procedures of the

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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 scheme, which ensures consistency in practice. Children's welfare benefits from high numbers of staff, who are effectively deployed. Consequently, children receive good levels of interaction from staff and are well supervised. Play areas are well organised to create maximum opportunities for children to safely have fun. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were raised around: ensuring that there is a procedure in place for checking the suitability of staff; ensuring that staff's time of arrival and departure is recorded; ensuring that there is a written statement identifying whom to contact if there are concerns about a child. These have all been suitably addressed and therefore children's welfare is maintained.

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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): • take positive steps to ensure that all hazards in the outside area are appropriately dealt with, to ensure children's safety • ensure that all staff are fully aware of the procedures to follow if there is a child protection concern.

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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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