Early Birds and Night Owls and Little Ladybirds Childcare Centre

Early Birds and Night Owls

Inspection report for early years provision

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Early Birds and Night Owls

Unique Reference Number EY295543 Inspection date 03 November 2005 Inspector Julie Ann Birkett

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Early Birds and Night Owls

Setting Address St Josephs Catholic School, Great Hadham Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 2NL Telephone number 01279 652576 E-mail hayley.lynskey@virgin.net Registered person Hayley Lynskey Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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Early Birds and Night Owls

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?

Early Birds and Night Owls out of school scheme opened in 2004 and operates from a classroom within St. Josephs Catholic School grounds. It is situated in the centre of Bishops Stortford. A maximum of 24 children may attend the scheme at any one time. The scheme is open each weekday from 07:45 to 09:00 and from 15:15 to 18:30 during school term times and from 08:00 to 18:30 during school holidays. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 45 children aged from 3 to under 12 years on roll. Children come from the local catchment area. The out of school scheme currently supports a small

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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 number of children with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The scheme employs five staff. Three of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate qualifications. Two staff are working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in an environment where staff follow effective hygiene practice. Children learn about hygiene and personal care through daily routines such as putting their hands over their mouths when they cough. They help to design posters to remind each other to wash their hands and to eat well. Children socialise with their friends and staff at meal times. They enjoy their food very much and benefit from fresh fruit and fruit juices at breakfast and tea time. Children have a choice of food and talk knowledgably about healthy options as they decide on sandwich fillings. Children’s understanding of a healthy diet is actively promoted by the staff’s own high level of awareness. Children participate in a range of planned indoor and outdoor activities which contribute to their good health and physical fitness. For example, children develop their large motor skills and co-ordination as they learn judo in the hall or run around in

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Helping children to be healthy

the playground. Children are able to rest and relax after their busy day at school and snuggle up with a book in the cosy reading corner. Staff apply agreed health procedures to ensure children’s health is maintained. There is a first aid trained member of staff and all staff are aware of children’s relevant medical conditions. Children learn about broader aspects of staying healthy through thoughtfully planned activities such as a visit from the local nurse and discussion with sports coaches.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children’s safety is promoted through the vigilance of staff. Staff have clear guidelines for emergencies and ensure that these are practised at different times to ensure all children are familiar with them. Children’s awareness of everyday safety is reinforced when they are reminded of how to walk to and from school and pick things up from the floor. Children learn about keeping safe in the wider world through planned activities such as visits from the fire and police services. Children use good quality resources and staff make sure that all is in order each day when they set up and put things away. There is a formal risk assessment in place to ensure that the building and equipment are maintained to a safe standard. The premises are bright and airy and provide a comfortable environment for the children.

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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 regular use of a large outside play area and to the school hall. However, the classroom space is limited when the scheme is working to full capacity. This situation is due to the club not moving into the premises proposed at the time of registration. Children are well supervised by staff who ensure that most of the daily preparation for the club is done outside of club hours. This enables staff to be actively involved with the children at all times which contributes to the children’s safety. Children enjoy outings and their safety is carefully considered through effective planning and sharing information with parents. Children are well protected by staff who have a clear and secure understanding of child protection procedures and give top priority to children’s welfare. There is clear

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

information about early warning signs available for staff who record any existing injuries. Children have good relationships with the staff which helps children be more comfortable talking with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle quickly to the range of play equipment attractively set up for them when they arrive. They eagerly participate in a variety of both planned and spontaneous activities which are overall appropriate to their developmental needs. Good activity planning ensures that children have a broad range of opportunities and experiences. However, this planning does not always show how the very youngest and the more able children will be included to ensure they remain interested and challenged. Children enjoy their busy day in the relaxed atmosphere of the club. They choose prepared activities or initiate their own play with friends. The opportunity to decide for themselves encourages children to be self motivated and to create their own entertainment. Children select independently from the good range of resources available to them. They are confident to take things out of the toy cupboard or from

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

storage boxes to support their own ideas and needs. Staff have a good understanding of when children need space to play without adult support and when they need it. Staff sit happily for long periods of time at games of the children’s choosing such as bingo. This staff support encourages the children’s perseverance and pleasure in a completed task. Children have the time to become engrossed in what they are doing and are able to return to projects started earlier in the session because they have not been cleared away. Children try new things when they experience handling reptiles and learn about their needs. Children ask lots of questions and benefit from the patience and knowledge of the staff. Children practise and refine skills in favourite games and learn new ones in activities such as cooking. Children concentrate well on tasks and are encouraged by supportive staff to do things for themselves.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are warmly welcomed into the setting which makes them feel happy and secure. Staff take time to get to know the children and subsequently the children are relaxed and confident. Children are positively encouraged to take responsibility and make a contribution to their own club. There is an active children’s committee who meet regularly to listen to all the children’s views and ideas. Children post messages on the committee board with suggestions and use a suggestion box. Children’s behaviour is excellent and they are extremely polite and helpful. They benefit from clear and consistent boundaries set by staff and from being involved in drawing up the club rules. Children share and negotiate with each other very well and show respect for each other and the staff. Children are regularly praised and encouraged which promotes their self-esteem. The group have very positive polices and procedures in place for the inclusion of all

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children. Children learn about diversity and our differences and similarities through the celebration of festivals, planned topics, books and everyday conversations with staff. Children learn first hand about others needs when they experience time in a wheelchair or use crutches. They learn to respect the environment and living things when they use the garden area and care for animals. Children’s well-being is significantly enhanced by the effective working relationships between staff and parents. Parent’s views about their children’s needs are actively sought before children attend so that staff can meet these needs appropriately. Parent’s opinions about many aspects of the running of the club are canvassed. For example, if they want children to do homework while they are at the club. Information for parents is passed on verbally and displayed on the notice boards. They are provided with daily feedback on their children and what they have been doing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are very complimentary when speaking of the club and the staff.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at ease within the daily routines of the club. The scheme is well organised to ensure that children are safe, secure and enjoy their time before and after school with their friends. The registered person uses sound recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are appropriately vetted. An action plan is in place to develop and assess current staff qualifications to the appropriate level. Staff are selected, in part, for their enthusiasm and commitment to the care of children and they demonstrate a genuine appreciation of the children they care for. The staff to child ratio is very good and has a positive impact on the care of the children. Children are well supported in their activities and benefit from the consistent team of staff who evidently enjoy their time with the children.

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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 Staff work well as a team and have meetings outside of club hours to discuss care issues, for example planning and researching for activities. The manager and staff regularly review their own practice and are committed to improvement and development. Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of the setting’s comprehensive policies and procedures and how to implement them to effectively promote the children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and positive contribution to the setting. The good quality of the provision means that the needs of all the children who attend are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the 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 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): • devise and implement an action plan to show how space requirements for the number of children attending will be met • develop activity planning further to show how the needs of the wide age range of children attending will be met and to ensure both the less and more able children will be supported and challenged.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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