Cool Kidz

Cool Kidz

Inspection report for early years provision

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Cool Kidz

Unique Reference Number EY275842 Inspection date 29 September 2005 Inspector Juliette Jennings

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Cool Kidz

Setting Address Weston Rhyn Family Centre, Weston Rhyn School, Old Chirk Road, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7SR Telephone number 01691 774 701

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E-mail

Registered person The Partners of Cool Kidz 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 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?

Cool Kidz After School Club operates from a demountable classroom within Western Rhyn School, near Oswestry in Shropshire. The after school club uses two rooms, the kitchen and the playground. The club serves the school and the local area. The group is open five days a week during term time. Sessions are from 07:30 until 09:00 and 15:00 until 18:00. Children can access a variety of sessions. There are two members of staff who work with the children and both hold suitable early years or play work qualifications. They access regular training on early years

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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 issues and receive support from the Local Education Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are comfortable in an environment which is clean and well maintained. Staff follow appropriate procedures to ensure that hygiene standards remain suitable. Children are developing an understanding of health and hygiene, for example through routine hand washing. There are appropriate procedures in place for ensuring that children's accidents are recorded although the medication record does not detail a signature of who has administered the medication or the time given. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through a variety of activities, for example through enjoying healthy snacks and participating in cooking activities. They have the choice of healthy, balanced snacks such as cheese and crackers, sandwiches and fruit. Drinks are available throughout the session at set times, however children do not have independent access to drinking water.

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Helping children to be healthy

The indoor space has sufficient natural light and children have good access to an outdoor space so that they can have fresh air and an opportunity to engage in physical activity. Children enjoy this aspect of the provision and make good use of the familiar school playground for activities such as football.

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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 colourful, child-orientated environment where they can easily access an adequate range of resources, toys and equipment from a range of low-level storage units, cupboards and boxes. Children use specific areas within the main playroom with confidence and largely in safety, for example the cushioned area for quieter activities such as games, the role play area for imaginary play and the outdoor area for physical games. There are appropriate health and safety procedures in place for the building as a whole, however the premises were not always secure, placing children's safety at risk from the possibility of unwanted access to the setting. In addition, the kitchen was not inaccessible to children. There are suitable procedures in place for ensuring that children's welfare is monitored and promoted. Staff have an understanding of child protection issues,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

guidelines and procedures through specific training, however the child protection procedure does not clearly detail what would happen in the event of an allegation against staff of abuse. In addition, it is not clear about the current referral procedure guidelines. Staff hold up to date first aid qualifications and this helps to ensure that they know what to do in the event of an accident. In addition, staff supervise children well, ensuring that they know where the children are at all times, particularly in the outdoor area. Fire safety precautions are in line with requirements, with regular fire drills carried out so that children and staff are aware of what they need to do in an

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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 emergency.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a very relaxed, comfortable and friendly environment where they are obviously happy and content. They confidently access their favourite games and resources and enjoy spending time with their friends. They access a suitable range of colourful, stimulating and age-appropriate resources, toys and activities. Some examples include chess and other board games, role play, physical activities and cooking. Children enjoy each other's company for much of the time and have plenty of opportunity to relax after a busy day at school. Staff ensure that children have a choice of things to do with a focus on child-initiated play. Plans are informal and highlight specific adult-led creative activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are supported appropriately by caring and supportive staff who ensure that they are aware of individual circumstances and requirements. Independence is encouraged well, with staff giving children responsibilities within the routine of the session. They develop a good understanding of diversity through access to a wide variety of positive images in resources such as books and posters and within various activities. In addition, they benefit from being in an environment which fully supports the local community. There are appropriate procedures in place for supporting children with special needs. Children are well-behaved and play together happily for much of the time, enjoying spending time with their friends. This ethos is supported very well by staff who use consistent techniques to encourage good behaviour and deal with inappropriate behaviour in a way that children can understand. However, the record of incidents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

does not always ensure confidentiality. The partnership with parents and carers is supportive, with a friendly, relaxed and welcoming ethos evident. Various information is available to parents about childcare issues and other subjects of interest and information about the setting is readily available to them so that they know about the provision of care for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Detailed policies and procedures are in place which outline clearly how the setting aims to provide appropriate care for children. These are reviewed regularly to ensure that they continue to be working documents. Most records and documentation in relation to children are in line with requirements and stored confidentially. However, the register does not always detail children's departure times and the lost child

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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 procedure does not include a timescale for a search of the premises, so it is not clear how long staff would search prior to contacting external agencies. Staff are trained appropriately in childcare and play work and have a commitment to accessing training on an ongoing basis to help develop their knowledge and understanding of childcare issues. There are appropriate records maintained on staff files, including various information so that they are clear about their responsibilities, which in turn allows children to be cared for in a consistent manner. Overall the range of needs of the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first 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): • make sure that records of children's incidents ensure confidentiality • extend the child protection statement so that it details what would happen if an allegation was made against a member of staff and so that it clearly highlights the current guidelines with regard to referral procedures, thus ensuring that staff can help to keep children safe • make sure that the premises are secure at all times, thus preventing unwanted access so that children remain safe. In addition, make sure that the kitchen is inaccessible at all times • provide children with opportunities to independently access drinks regularly • make sure that the medication record clearly details the signature of who has given it and records the time given so that parents know when children's medication has been administered

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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 • consistently record children's departure times in the register and improve the clarity of the lost child procedure by including a timescale for a search of the premises.

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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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