Whitley Memorial OOSC

Whitley Memorial Out of School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Whitley Memorial Out of School Club

Unique Reference Number EY233586 Inspection date 17 February 2006 Inspector Jim Bostock

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Whitley Memorial Out of School Club

Setting Address Gordon Terrace, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 5DE

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E-mail

Registered person Trinity Youth Association 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Whitley Memorial Out Of School Club opened in November 2002 and is situated in Whitley Memorial First School, Gordon Terrace, Bedlington. The club is run by the charity Trinity Youth Association. Places are available for children aged form 4 to 13 years. The premises are within walking distance of local transport and Bedlington town centre. Children are cared for by two staff and the group has access to a pool of Trinity Trust relief workers. Children have access to two large adjacent open plan areas, the school playground and occasionally the school hall.

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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 Opening times are term time - Monday to Friday 15.10 to 18.00 and school holidays Monday to Friday 08.00 to 18.00, as required. At the time of inspection there were 40 children on the register.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's access to healthy food is limited; although there is fruit and yoghurt available some of the time, there is also chocolate spread on white bread available. In addition, although there are activities related to food, these do not include healthy eating topics. Tea and breakfast snacks are provided by the service and there is ready access to drinks for children. Meal times are social occasions for children with lots of discussion about daily events. Children's hygiene is promoted through the staff having undertaken the basic food hygiene course and the carrying out of daily routines including washing of hands before eating and after toileting. There are individual towels available for children to reduce the risk of cross infection and children are helped to learn about good hygiene. Children's health is not well fostered as accident records are not all signed by parents and contain limited information. Additionally, individual children's records

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Helping children to be healthy

are not updated when important information about their health needs, such as serious allergies, are passed on to the service by parents. There is at least one member of staff present at each session who has had first aid training to protect children in the event of accidents. Children's physical development is well promoted through regular use of the outdoor area where they have access to large play equipment and outdoor activities which they thoroughly enjoy. They develop fine muscle control by participating in activities such as craft, cut and glue, making bracelets, wool winding, painting and using crayons and chalk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment which is light and in good decorative order. The service promotes child safety within the building by encouraging children to be aware of danger and keeping themselves safe, as well as taking precautions to reduce the risk to children. There are written risk assessments for outings, activities and use of the premises. Close supervision of children is used by the staff to help prevent accidents and keep children safe. The service has good written policies covering a wide range of safety issues and staff are fully aware of these issues which helps protect children well. Fire safety procedures have not been updated as requested by a recent fire safety review. However, there are good written plans for safe evacuation and records of practice evacuations. The arrival and collection of children is well planned and keeps them safe.

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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 The service has identified a member of staff as the child protection coordinator who has a good awareness of the issues involved in protecting children and has undertaken additional child protection training. Most staff have had child protection training and there are good policies and procedures in place to protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a warm and caring relationship with the staff. They interact confidently with staff who show a detailed understanding of their individual needs. Children are encouraged to be independent with support and guidance in selecting and using the toys and equipment effectively. Staff help children well and often engage in meaningful conversations. Both children and staff are relaxed and at ease and children are enthusiastic and interested in the activities and play. Children's abilities and confidence are developed through effective use of the wide selection of resources available. Staff have a good understanding of the development of children, putting into practice skills and methods gained from experience and relevant training. Children's self-esteem is developed through the staff valuing each child's contribution. Children benefit from a planned activity programme which encourages

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their interest and progress. They enjoy computer games, craft activities, imaginative play with the fort and figures, painting and outdoor play. The ethos of the service is enjoyment and choice and staff help children to achieve this. Parents are fully involved in their children's experiences from regular updates.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn to be respectful and interact positively from the staff providing good role models and discussions about behaviour and relating to others. Children develop self confidence very well because they receive lots of praise and encouragement. They are eager to participate in activities and respond very well to the staff. They learn to share, relate well to each other and behave very well. Relationships with parents are promoted and developed very well. Parents are kept informed of their child's progress and details of their physical care on a daily basis both verbally and from individual files. Parents are fully informed and consulted about all aspects of the care provided with the staff discussing all issues and incorporating parents requests into the service. They provide written information for the service about their children and also provide written permission for a variety of issues

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Helping children make a positive contribution

affecting their children, so that children can be cared for in accordance with parents' wishes. Parents comments about the service are very positive. They feel they receive good information, relate well to staff and their children thoroughly enjoy attending sessions. Children are cared for as individuals with differences being acknowledged and enjoyed. Children gain a good understanding of the wider world and their local community through activities. There are some activities, toys and resources related to

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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 multicultural play and children enjoyed a culture week. Children with special needs attend sessions and are well cared for with individual staff assigned to some children on a one to one basis if needed. Staff are knowledgeable about special needs and about children's individual needs which helps children's involvement and inclusion in the daily events. All children mix freely and participate in all activities which helps them develop an awareness and positive attitude to difference.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The service provides clear routines and organised activities give children confidence in the service and the environment. Children benefit from the relevant training attended by the staff. Most of the staff are qualified and they have access to good ongoing training which helps them to effectively meet the needs of children including those with special needs. The well planned daily routine allows children to experience a wide variety of stimulating and interesting activities. Staff checks are fully covered to protect children but the service has not informed Ofsted about the appointment of the current manager as required. The documentation kept does not meet all requirements, for instance, with accidents, and some records are not kept fully confidential. Therefore children are not well protected and there needs not met. The written policies and procedures meet requirements and

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Organisation

provide a good basis for the care of children and good information for parents. The service has current public liability insurance cover so that children are well protected. The certificate is displayed on the wall as is required. The service does not meet the needs of the children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provision was asked to make kitchen facilities inaccessible to children. Since these are located within the main play room, it not possible to provide a physical barrier to access. The provision ensures children do not access this area by staff providing close supervision of children and ensuring children are aware they are not to use the kitchen facilities.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

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 quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • keep a written record, signed by parents, of accidents to children • ensure Ofsted is informed of any changes to the manager of the setting These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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