Fun 4 Kidz - L30 Centre

Fun 4 Kidz L30 Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Fun 4 Kidz L30 Club

Unique Reference Number 310434 Inspection date 30 March 2006 Inspector Ann Lee

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Fun 4 Kidz L30 Club

Setting Address The L30 Centre, Stoneyfields,Netherton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L30 0QS Telephone number 0151 932 9218 E-mail fun4kidzclubs@hotmail.com Registered person Fun 4 Kidz L30 Centre Committee Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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Fun 4 Kidz L30 Club

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?

Fun 4 Kidz L30 Club operates from a large hall and two smaller playrooms in the L30 Community Centre which is situated in the grounds of The Grange School in Netherton, Sefton. The Club caters for children who attend two local schools. A maximum of 32 children aged from 4 to 8-years may attend at any one time. The club is open from 15.00 to 18.00 each weekday during term time and every school holiday (except Christmas) between 8.30 and 18.00. There are currently 71 children on roll. The group supports a number of children with special educational needs

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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 four members of staff who all have early years qualifications. Volunteers and young people on work experience also help in the club. Extra staff are employed during the holiday playschemes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from infection and cross-contamination because staff ensure that the premises and the toys and equipment are clean and hygienic. Plastic table cloths are used to cover tables at snack time and staff wear disposable aprons and gloves when preparing food. The staff have completed training in food hygiene and they use their knowledge to ensure that the correct fridge temperature is maintained and that food is stored safely. Children learn about good personal hygiene because they are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They also take part in projects about healthy eating and there are displays of posters, murals and art work on the playroom walls. Staff have up to date first aid certificates and there is a fully stocked first aid box. All of the necessary documentation, policies and procedures are in place to help staff to

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Helping children to be healthy

safeguard children in the event of accidental injury or sickness. However, accident records are not always signed by parents. A substantial snack such as tuna pasta bake, hot dogs or sandwiches is provided for children during each session. Children enjoy the food but they are not always provided with healthy options such as fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread. Information about individual dietary or medical needs is obtained on the registration form and these are taken into account when staff devise menus. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills. In good weather they have access to the fully enclosed school playground where they can play games such as football, netball and cricket or enjoy hopscotch and other traditional games. There is also an activity trail which contains very high quality static equipment for climbing, swinging and balancing. Indoors, the group use a large hall for indoor

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Helping children to be healthy

activities such as musical games, dancing, skipping and parachute games. The group have a wide variety of equipment for physical play including hoops, space hoppers, roller blades and scooters.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe in the setting because the premises are secure and visitors must ring the bell for access to the building. There is an intercom system in place which allows staff to open the door without leaving the playroom. The outside play area is fully enclosed and safe for children. Children play in a large hall and two smaller playrooms which provide spacious accommodation so that they have some freedom of movement.

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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 playrooms are set out with a wide variety of toys and equipment which provide an interesting and stimulating environment for children. The toys and equipment are within easy reach of the children so that they can choose their own activities. The rooms are divided into areas for different types of activity. For example, there is a quiet corner where children can rest, read or do their homework, an arts and crafts table, home corner and construction area. The toys and equipment are in good condition and suitable for the ages of children who attend the group. Staff are very aware of safety issues and there are hazard check lists in place which are completed daily to check that items such as socket covers are in place and safety gates are fitted across the entrance to the kitchen. A risk assessment is carried out

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

before outings or potentially dangerous activities such as skating and children wear protective clothing such as knee pads and helmets, where appropriate, to prevent accidental injury. There are comprehensive health and safety policies and procedures in place and staff have recently completed a refresher course in health and safety to help them to safeguard children. Children learn how to keep themselves safe because they practice the fire drill regularly, discuss issues such as 'stranger danger' and road safety and do projects and art work to reinforce the safety messages. They also play games such as 'traffic lights' which helps children to learn about road safety. There are art displays around the playroom relating to 'stranger danger' and fire safety. When going outside to the school playground the children have to cross a small access road and staff supervise them very closely until they are safely across.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have completed training in child protection and they follow the child protection procedures to safeguard the welfare of children. Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and they know their role and responsibilities in relation to protecting children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Staff obtain information about children from parents so that they can meet their individual needs. Parents and children are invited to attend the club for introductory visits and a member of staff keeps a close eye on new children, shows them around the premises and introduces them to the other staff and children to help them to settle in quickly. Staff are friendly and approachable and they spend time talking to the children, helping them with arts and crafts activities and joining in their play. Children are happy and well occupied and the atmosphere in the group is lively and cheerful. They can choose whether to take part in organised activities or relax with their friends. Staff listen to what children have to say, value their work and achievements and display their art work so that they feel a sense of belonging in the group. The staff devise a flexible programme of activities which includes free play, arts and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

crafts and games or sports. The children often provide ideas for activities and project work is popular. They have recently taken part in projects relating to healthy eating, bullying, fire safety and 'stranger danger'. Staff use discussion and arts and crafts to

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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 help children to understand and deal with issues such as bullying. One group of children is involved in producing a magazine for the club using the computer. During the holiday playscheme the children enjoy all of the usual activities plus workshops such as photograph frame making, flower making and stained glass painting. There are also outings to local parks, theme parks and other places of interest. Children have access to a very wide variety of toys and activities which keep them interested and well occupied. For example, there are sports, team games, computer games, pool table, air hockey, home corner, sand play, construction, games, puzzles and different kinds of craft activities. Staff help children to play well together and to have fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Fun 4 Kidz is committed to providing accessible, inclusive out of school care for children and families who are at risk of social exclusion. Staff develop an annual action plan in respect of their Inclusion Project and there is an Inclusion Development play worker who is responsible for helping staff to provide an inclusive service and ensure that all children can take part in the activities. Staff are given extra training in conditions such as Autism so that they can meet the individual needs of children and there is written information available for reference. Staff work closely with parents, teachers, support workers and other professionals, when necessary, to share information and ensure continuity of care for children. There are a variety of resources available which provide children with positive images of different cultures and disability. These include multi-cultural posters, books, dolls,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and small world figures. There are comprehensive policies in place relating to equal opportunities and all children are treated with equal respect and consideration in the group. Activities such as tasting foods from around the world, arts and crafts and discussion help children to learn about diversity. Children are well behaved and the staff use praise and encouragement wherever possible to build confidence and promote their self-esteem. Some of the children have challenging behaviour and staff often consult with parents and teachers to devise consistent strategies to deal with them. There is an award system in place which is very popular with the children and it is successful in promoting good behaviour. During snack time each member of staff nominates one child for a prize and their name is put on the 'High flyers ' board. Those children are awarded a small prize at the end of the session. Children are encouraged to take part in the decision

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Helping children make a positive contribution

making within the group and they are involved in devising their own rules and interviewing new members of staff. Issues such as bullying are dealt with through projects and discussion. Parents are made welcome in the group and they are provided with good information about the policies and procedures and aims and objectives. Further information such as staff qualifications, registration certificate and the Ofsted poster are displayed on a notice board. Parents provide staff with information about their children so that their individual needs can be met. There is a regular newsletter for parents and they are

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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 asked for comments and ideas for improvements via the suggestions box and evaluation forms. Parents are also invited into the group as volunteers. There are procedures in place for volunteers to ensure that they are vetted and safe to work with children. Staff are friendly and approachable. They develop good relationships with parents and keep them informed about their children through daily informal conversations. This effective communication between parents and staff helps to promote children's welfare, care and safety.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are protected in the setting because the provider ensures that people who are not vetted do not come into unsupervised contact with them. There are comprehensive and effective recruitment and induction procedures in place to ensure that children are cared for by suitable and well informed staff. All of the staff have early years qualifications and they work with volunteers and young people on work experience to provide very good quality out of school care. The staff are well supported by a good management structure and they also benefit from regular team meetings and one-to-one supervision. The correct staff-child ratios are always maintained so that children receive a good level of adult attention and support. The group's strong commitment to improvement is reflected in the programme for staff training. All staff are encouraged to access any relevant training and they regularly update first aid and child protection certificates.

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Organisation

The group has also recently achieved Level three of the 'Aiming High' quality assurance award. This commitment to improvement helps to maintain and improve the quality of care for children. The premises and resources are well organised to provide a safe, stimulating and spacious environment for children. They gain in confidence as they are able to move between the rooms and choose their own toys and activities. All of the necessary records, policies and procedures are in place to safeguard the welfare and care of children. The documentation is well organised, regularly reviewed and updated and initiatives such as the new complaints procedure are quickly implemented. There are some minor omissions to the accident records and the staff register is not always completed. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the premises have improved because the flooring in the playroom has been replaced and children now play outside in a safe, clean play area.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint relating to Standard 10:

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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 Special Needs and Standard 14: Documentation. The complaint related to an accident which happened to one child during an outing. The incident was investigated and the provider remains qualified for registration. 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): • ensure that meals and snacks provided for children are healthy and nutritious • ensure that the time of arrival and departure of staff is always recorded and that parents sign the accident records when recording an accidental injury.

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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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