Marmadukes Abbey Kids Club

Marmadukes Abbey Kids Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Marmadukes Abbey Kids Club

Unique Reference Number 229085 Inspection date 30 November 2005 Inspector Adelaide Griffiths

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Marmadukes Abbey Kids Club

Setting Address 32 Sutton Road, Erdington, Birmingham, West Midlands, B23 6QL Telephone number 0411 202 038/ 0403 3

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E-mail

Registered person Marie Barfield 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?

Marmadukes Abbey Kids Club opened in 1992. It operates from a large hut in the grounds of the Abbey church. The club is situated in Erdington and serves the children attending Abbey Primary School. A maximum of 40 children may attend the club at any one time. The club is open each weekday from 07:45 to 09:00 and from 15:30 to 17:30. During term time the provision offers care for children attending the school. The provision is also open during holidays, except for the Christmas break, from 07:45 to 17:30 to the community. All children share access to the school play area.

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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 There are currently 33 children from three to eight years on roll. Children over eight years also attend. Children attend for a variety of sessions. Currently there are no children with special needs at the club but they support children whose first language is not English. Seven members of staff work with the children. Over half the staff have Early Years qualifications to NVQ levels 2 or 3 and two members of staff are working towards a level 3 qualification. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. The club is a member of Playcare Network and Schools Out.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive satisfactory care in a clean environment. They are generally learning about hygiene issues due to hand washing routines at appropriate times, but paper towels were not available at time of inspection. Staff use adequate measures to minimise cross-infection by ensuring that tables are wiped before snack and meal times. Children's health is suitably safeguarded due to consents for the administration of medication and emergency treatment. All staff hold current first aid qualifications and three first aid boxes are stored. Appropriate policies and procedures are in place for managing if children are unwell and for dealing with infectious illnesses. Adequate procedures are in place to maintain children's health and hygiene. Children are gaining some understanding of healthy eating. They have a choice of salads on some occasions and participate in some healthy eating activities. However,

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Helping children to be healthy

the range of snacks offered during sessions do not include healthy options. Children have unlimited access to drinks. Children are gaining inconsistent understanding of healthy eating. Children participate in regular exercise when possible. They are encouraged to join in vigorous team games including football, tennis, skipping and ball games. Children can also sit quietly to enjoy restful activities, for example, reading, watching television and other forms of entertainment. Children benefit from a balance in activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. There are good safety measures for the protection of children. They are clearly learning about personal safety due to boundaries identified in the play area outside and rules in regard to collection at the end of sessions. Children are only allowed to leave the setting in accordance with prior agreement. Children are gaining a good understanding of safety issues. Children participate in regular fire drills. Fire regulations are met with clearly

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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 displayed notices, evaluation of fire drills and the servicing of appliances and equipment. Children's security is maintained due to good lighting, controlled access to the premises and effective procedures at time of collection. Risk assessments are recorded to ensure that the environment is safe for use with children at all times. There is ample storage space and all toys are checked for quality on purchase and maintained in a good state of repair. Owing to a wide range of measures children's security and safety are consistently maintained. Children's welfare is competently safeguarded. Staff are well-informed of child protection procedures and ensure that parents are made aware of their responsibility to protect children. Staff maintain their understanding and knowledge of child

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

protection through updating courses. All are aware of procedures to be followed in the event of allegations against staff. Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a good range of activities. They are effectively engaged and have a choice of activities. Children play in small self-selected groups with board and table top games. Children play well together when assembling jigsaw puzzles or in imaginative play with cars. They are developing the social skills of taking turns and sharing, and following rules of games. They are confident whilst carrying out activities and in their interaction with others. A range of arts and craft materials is used in creative activities by children. Children are enjoying a variety of activities. Children are forming relationships with peers and adults. They enjoy long-established friendships and new children settle in easily and form relationships comfortably. Children can choose to engage in cold cooking activities, for example, icing biscuits and making sandwiches to raise their awareness of preparing snacks. An interesting

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

selection of dressing up clothes is provided for children to act out roles and to gain an understanding of different cultures. Children can sit quietly and choose from a selection of books for all age groups. A computer is available for use in addition to children's enjoyment of other activities. Children are benefiting from enjoyable activities and forming relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued by staff with attention paid to preferences, medical and dietary requirements. A good supply of books promote positive images and festivals are celebrated to reflect the cultures of children who attend the club. Children are clearly learning about the wider community when they participate in joint sessions with the community nursery to enjoy sessions involving the animal man, the fire service and fun activities. Children make a worthwhile contribution to the setting with their input in the planning and evaluation of activities. Children are benefiting from individual care and are effectively learning about the community.

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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 Children with special needs are welcomed in the club. Staff have experience of caring for children with special needs and ensure that they are informed of relevant conditions. Staff receive additional training as required and are pro-active in maintaining close links with the school for the benefit of children with special needs. Children are well-behaved and sensitive to the needs of others. Children adhere to ground rules to which they have contributed. Staff are guided by the behaviour management policy and difficult behaviour is managed with parents. Children are benefiting from positive behaviour management strategies. There is good working relationship with parents due to trust and long-established attendances. There is friendly interaction between parents and supportive, sensitive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

staff. Parents feel welcomed and good communication keeps them abreast of children's daily experiences. Information is shared about the complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There is good organisation for the care of children. All staff are aware of procedures in regard to clearance of recently appointed staff and the need for supervision at all times. Structured induction programmes are devised to help staff to settle in. Contingency arrangements are in place for emergencies. Staff attend updating courses to maintain competent practice. A range of document demonstrated effective procedures implemented for the care of children. A good range of policies are in place for supporting parents. All records and sensitive information are securely stored. Staff are well-informed about procedures for updating and retention of records and are aware of notifying Ofsted of significant changes. Overall, the needs of the range of children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection staff were asked to ensure that records of visitors were maintained. This procedure is in place to ensure that children are protected at all times. At the last inspection staff were asked to ensure that written information about qualifications is available at all times. Qualifications for all staff are recorded and available for inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made my parents, which they can see on request. The complaints records may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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

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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): • improve hand drying facilities to minimize the spread of infection • introduce a programme of healthy eating into the children's daily snack times.

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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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