Bexhill Youth and Community Centre

Bexhill Youth and Community Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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Bexhill Youth and Community Centre

EY271209 Unique Reference Number 13 January 2006 Inspection date Stacey Sangster Inspector

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Bexhill Youth and Community Centre

10 Station Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN40 1RE Setting Address

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Bexhill Youth and Community Centre

01424 215455 Telephone number centremanager@bexhillyouth-comcentre.fsnet.co.uk E-mail Bexhill Youth and Community Association Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, Out of School care Type of care

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Bexhill Youth and Community Centre

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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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?

The Base has been registered since January 2004. It is run by the committee of the community association who employ a co-ordinator to manage the after school club.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

It operates from The Bexhill Youth and Community Centre in Station Road, Bexhill-on-Sea.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group serves the local and surrounding area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The after school club is open Monday to Friday from 15:15 to 18:00 during term time. It also opens on occasional full days during term time to cover school closure days.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 76 children on roll from 5 years to 11 years. The group currently supports children with special needs and is able to support those who speak English as an additional language.

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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 Six staff and the centre manager work with the children. Three staff have early years childcare qualifications with other staff working towards qualification. Three staff hold current first aid certificates.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The setting have a range of positive policies and practices that promote the health of the children in their care. Children are appropriately protected from cross infection and contagious diseases and the setting have suitable procedures to deal with accidents so that children receive appropriate first aid treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The premises are adequately clean and staff monitor the hygiene practices of the children, for example checking that they have washed hands before eating. This helps to protect children from illness and teaches them good routines which many are now practicing independently.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff cook food on the premises and children have some input into devising the menus. This ensures that the setting serve foods which appeal to the children attending. Children clearly enjoy the food and are able to eat a substantial portion as their evening meal or smaller portion if it is their snack before eating at home. The majority of the food offered is wholesome and nutritious, however the methods used to cook the foods do not always support healthy eating, for example sausages cooked in large amounts of oil.

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Helping children to be healthy

A number of staff hold a food hygiene certificate, but these are not always the staff who cook the meals. Sufficient written materials are provided to guide staff preparing foods about good food handling practices and this helps to make sure that food is prepared appropriately. Children who are chosen to assist with food preparation learn about food hygiene and are developing positive practices in relation to food preparation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff are well informed by the range of good quality policies detailing how they are to meet health and safety requirements. Children are safe because staff are vigilant and provide them with clear instructions and explanations. They are developing good levels of understanding about safe and unsafe behaviour and are beginning to take responsibility for the safety of the environment and each other, for example using their initiative and moving floor toys to prevent them from becoming a tripping hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Security of the premises is good. Staff monitor the door closely as despite reminders, parents do not always ensure that it is closed. The CCTV and keypad entry system help to prevent unsupervised people from entering the building and this protects children by minimising

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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 opportunities for unauthorised people to gain access to them. The premises are safe for the children to use because staff carry out a daily risk assessment using written risk assessment forms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Most of the equipment is maintained to a good standard. It is stored safely and a wide range is easily accessible to the children. Children learn how to use the equipment correctly and this minimises potential risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The setting have detailed and comprehensive child protection policies. Staff have very clear information about the process they follow if concerns about a child arise. The guidance is very good and provides staff with the knowledge needed to protect children appropriately.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at this setting. They arrive eager to see what activities are on offer and spend the sessions engaged and well occupied. Because staff are interested in the children and get to know them well, children feel secure and confident. All children are encouraged to take an active roll in influencing what the setting offer and this helps them to develop self esteem and recognise that their opinions are valued.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Time and space is effectively used to give children a mix of active times where children can take part in energetic play and quiet times where they can rest and relax. This allows children to enjoy a pace which suits them and meets the children's differing needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive a well-balanced level of interaction with staff. Children are given opportunities to play independently, initiating their own activities and exploring freely and given time for activities which need more support and direction from staff. This helps them to develop good social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The equal opportunities policy is good. Children receive positive messages about diversity as the centre aims to help all children to celebrate and express their cultural and religious identity by providing a wide range of appropriate resources and activities. Children with special needs are welcome at the setting and policies guide staff in how to ensure that these children's needs are fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well in the setting. This is in part due to the relaxed atmosphere in the setting and the clear and fair boundaries that children are expected to adhere to. Children know what the rules are and the reasons for them, this helps them to develop an understanding of what is right and wrong and to apply this knowledge in new situations. Children are able to confidently approach staff to help them resolve issues because they know that they will be dealt with, with consistency and fairness.

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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 The partnership with parents is satisfactory. The setting work hard to provide detailed and informative information to parents and encourage them to be involved in the setting. Parents rarely take up this opportunity and the setting accept that this is largely due to the service being used because parents are working at the times their children attend. Staff receive detailed information from parents before each child attends and staff and parents update each other of significant events verbally at collection time. Children receive enhanced care as a result of the information shared.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The setting vet staff to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. Checks are carried out to verify qualifications, references are taken up and only staff with a valid police check are permitted to work with children. The system for informing Ofsted of changes to key staff and obtaining updated and additional checks is not effective with delays of up to 4 months. This reduces the value of their vetting procedure which in reduces the protection their system offers children.

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Organisation

The staff group are satisfactorily qualified and required to work hours that ensure 50% of staff on duty have an appropriate childcare qualification. This provides children with sufficiently knowledgeable staff to ensure that they are well cared for and as a result, the organisation of the setting is adequate to meet the required standard.

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Organisation

Documentation is satisfactory. Policies are very good and contain detailed information and guidance to staff. The setting have missed some opportunities to ensure that all staff have time to re-read and fully digest the documents as not all have their own copy. Most of the essential paperwork is in place, but is not always organised to enable staff to access it instantly, as the office is slightly chaotic. The registers provide a simple and well-maintained record of children arriving at the centre, but fail to log when they leave, which could cause problems in an emergency.

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Organisation

The provider meets the needs of the range of children for whom they care for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The setting have made satisfactory progress in addressing the issues raised at the last inspection. Children now have more opportunities to display their work. Which helps them to feel a greater ownership of the space.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children have access to an appropriate range of resources to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices. Opportunities exist for them to celebrate cultures other than their own with themes such as Chinese new year; and children's resources have been increased to reflect a greater range depicting a selection of different cultures, ethnicity and religions.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The mealtimes now incorporate a specific dining area where children sit together and eat. This improves the experience for children and it is now a more organised and social event.

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Improvements 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 Resources have been increased they are plentiful and meet the needs of the range of children for whom the setting cares for and the organisation of the space provides better opportunities for a mix of active and quiet play.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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): • improve the systems for notifying ofsted promptly of changes to supervisors. • Consider at the methods used to cook food to ensure that they support healthy eating.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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