Thrumpton Kids Clubs

Thrumpton Kids Clubs

Inspection report for early years provision

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Thrumpton Kids Clubs

Unique Reference Number 253090 Inspection date 10 August 2005 Inspector Cheryl Wilson

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Thrumpton Kids Clubs

Setting Address Whinney Moor Lane, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7AF

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E-mail

Registered person Thrumpton Pre School Playgroup Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Sessional 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Thrumpton Kids Clubs opened in 2003. It originally opened in 1994 as Thrumpton Playgroup. The clubs operate from a classroom in Thrumpton Primary School in Retford, North Nottinghamshire. A maximum of 22 children may attend the clubs at any one time. All children share access to a fully enclosed outdoor play area. The playgroup is open each weekday during school term time from 13:00 until 15:30. The after school club opens each weekday during school term time from 15:30 until 17:30. The breakfast club opens each weekday during school term time from 08:00 until 09:00. The holiday club is open each weekday in the school holidays, apart from Christmas and Bank Holidays, from 08:00 until 17:30.

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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 122 pre-school and primary school aged children on roll. Children come from Retford and the surrounding areas. The clubs currently support children with special needs. The clubs employ 16 staff to work with the children. There are 6 staff including the 2 supervisors who hold appropriate early years qualifications. Several staff are working towards a qualification. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and APTCOO. The playgroup is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and the clubs are working towards the Aiming High quality assurance scheme.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a thoroughly clean and hygienic environment. Their good health is protected as staff follow suitable hygiene procedures during the daily routines. For instance, they wear protective clothing and wipe surfaces with anti-bacterial cleaner before and after lunch or snack times. All children become increasingly aware of the importance of good personal hygiene as they readily explain that washing their hands makes sure they are "clean with no germs". A comprehensive sickness exclusion policy is shared with parents to ensure children only attend the centre when they are well enough to do so. This prevents infections being passed on to others. Although parents give permission for children to be given medication at the setting, some records are not completed thoroughly, which could be detrimental to children's good health. Children are satisfactorily protected if they

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Helping children to be healthy

have an accident or become poorly as staff are knowledgeable of current first aid practice. Children learn about the importance of making healthy food choices. The clubs offer a variety of nutritious snacks and parents are provided with an informative leaflet giving suggestions for healthy lunch boxes. As a result many children enjoy a balanced packed lunch with fresh fruit and vegetables included. Staff also spend time talking with children about why the foods and drinks offered are good for them. Children's specific dietary requirements are recorded, shared with all staff and met well. All ages of children take responsibility for ensuring they have regular drinks as they access fresh drinking water independently. Children benefit from the daily opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air. They make their own choice of whether to play in or out as staff supervise both areas for most of the session. When outside

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Helping children to be healthy

children enjoy playing with board or hand-held computer games, building with construction kits or being imaginative with the variety of small vehicles. Some children and staff instigate more physical activities such as skipping with ropes, running during hide and seek or chase games. However, children have limited access to activities that encourage more rigorous exercise or equipment to support their climbing, balance and coordination. Consequently, children are less aware of the positive effects that regular exercise has on their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Staff gain relevant information about children to protect them at arrival and departure times. Children are satisfactorily supervised by staff to ensure they stay relatively safe throughout their time at the setting. Minimal risk assessments of the setting have been undertaken resulting in some hazards to children not being routinely identified. For example, a kettle with some hot water left in it, is sited in a corridor accessible to children. An emergency escape plan is known to staff but not all children know what to do in the event of a fire as some have never taken part in an evacuation practice. Children's welfare is monitored as staff have a sound knowledge of child protection. They know the procedures to follow in the event of a concern about a child or an allegation made against a member of staff. However, supervisors would be unsure of which services

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to contact to fully protect children as the policy lacks appropriate contact details. Children explore a good variety of very well-maintained and safe toys. They make choices from the attractively displayed activities and access additional materials from organised shelves and drawers to extend their play. Children move confidently around the suitably organised setting choosing whether to be active or rest in a comfortable quiet area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and confident in the care of staff. They independently choose where to play and show enjoyment at the range of activities provided. They demonstrate good concentration skills at self-chosen activities. Some staff deploy themselves well to support children's play and learning. Children answer some open-ended questions to encourage their thinking and creativity. All ages of children play harmoniously together and understand the need to share. For instance, a small group of children cooperate for an extensive period of time while they make a complex model from small building bricks. Children enthusiastically participate in activities provided by visiting artists. They use their imaginations well to create complex designs on laminate pockets to make interesting mobile structures. Children talk excitedly about the samba band and potter they have worked with to produce

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

music and clay models. Opportunities for children to be physically active are limited. Occasionally staff organise cricket, football, rounders and tennis games to promote children's coordination and motor skills. However, many children choose to participate in more static play and so do not regularly benefit from the effects of physical play. Staff working in the playgroup attend regular training to develop their knowledge of the foundation stage. They are beginning to use the Birth to three matters framework to improve their practice with young children. Although written development records are not currently in use parents are kept verbally informed about the progress their children make. Staff make informal observations of what children know and can do but this information is not always used to plan the next steps in their learning.

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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 good. Children have their individual needs met as a good partnership is developed between parents and the setting. An informative notice board and leaflets ensure parents are informed about the setting's practice, aims and procedures. However, written information regarding activities organised for children during the out of school clubs is not available. Staff have started to collate comprehensive records of children to enable the setting to provide appropriate and consistent care. Parents are welcomed into the clubs and given suitable verbal information about children's daily routines and learning. As a result children are happy and confident in the setting. The setting has a fully inclusive policy and children from all backgrounds are reflected in the daily activities and play materials. Children learn about people who live in countries from around the world, their traditions and lifestyles. They also enjoy opportunities to find

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Helping children make a positive contribution

out about festivals from different faiths. All of which supports their emerging positive attitudes towards similarities and differences. The clubs are committed to including all children and staff receive training to support those with additional needs. The policy relating to special needs is not currently developed to promote staff's good practice further. All children who attend the setting are treated with dignity and respect. Children with additional needs benefit from staff's sensitive intervention and willingness to take heed of advice given by parents and health or special needs advisors. Children behave well due to the positive strategies staff use to help them understand acceptable behaviour. All of the children receive regular verbal praise for their achievements or good behaviour to promote their self-esteem and pride. They learn right from wrong as staff give consistent and clear messages.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by suitably qualified and vetted staff. The registered committee ensures the regulator is kept informed of any changes to staff or the premises. This protects children's welfare and general safety. Appropriate induction for all staff ensures they are fully aware of their roles within the team structure. Staff are aware of the relevant policies and procedures to promote the efficient and safe management of the setting. However, the policies for special needs, uncollected children, child protection and some medication records lack the appropriate details to fully support staff's practice and protect children's well-being. The committee ensure that appropriate levels of staff are on site at all times and their appropriate deployment generally supports children's care and play needs. Children benefit from staff attending regular training to extend their practice further. Children stay safe

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Organisation

when visitors are present as they are closely monitored. Confidentiality takes high priority and records are stored in an appropriate manner. The setting meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection actions and recommendations were raised relating

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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 to policies and procedures; equipment to promote equal opportunities and children's use of technology; and staff's knowledge of the early learning goals. Children's welfare is now promoted as a policy is in place to guide staff's practice in the event of a child being lost. Young children's learning is appropriately supported as the playgroup leader has attended training to increase her knowledge of the early learning goals. All children now have access to technological equipment as they use the computer, play station and hand-held computer games. Play materials such as jigsaws, dressing-up clothes, role-play equipment and books reflect positive images of gender, ethnicity, culture and disability. Children also learn about other countries and faiths through celebrating a variety of festivals. Consequently, children develop

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Improvements since the last inspection

positive attitudes towards similarities and differences. The recommendation to review all policies and procedures has been partly met and some of these reflect good practice. However, some of the policies and procedures lack appropriate detail to support staff's practice and to fully ensure children's ongoing safety or welfare. As a result a further recommendation is taken forward from this inspection.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • develop current assessments of the premises to ensure that all possible risks to children's safety are identified and minimised. Practise the emergency escape plan with all children • develop records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision. Ensure they contain sufficient detail to support and guide staff's practice • extend the range of activities and play opportunities organised to develop children's physical capabilities.

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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 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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