CAPE IrbyOfsted inspection, 28 Apr 2006

Little Tinkers Kids Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Little Tinkers Kids Club

Unique Reference Number EY245377 Inspection date 28 April 2006 Inspector June Cotton

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Little Tinkers Kids Club

Setting Address 40a Coombe Road, Irby, Wirral, Merseyside, CH61 4UR

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Little Tinkers Kids Club

Telephone number 07930 284445 E-mail schooloffice@irby.wirral.sch.uk Registered person Little Tinkers Kids Club Ltd Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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Little Tinkers Kids 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?

Little Tinkers Out of School Club opened in 2003. It is operated by a private owner who also owns similar services on the Wirral. The service is provided within designated areas of Irby Primary School, Irby, Wirral. The out of school club is available for children attending the school. Little Tinkers is currently registered to provide care for a maximum of 32 children aged between 3 and 8 years. Children up to 12 years of age also attend. There are presently 14 children aged between 4 and 8 years on role. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting is supportive of children with special 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 The service operates Monday to Friday 07.30 to 08.45 and 15.30 to 17.45 term time and 07.30 17.45 during school holidays. Most staff at the out of school club have appropriate child care qualifications whilst others are working towards the relevant qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children demonstrate a sound understanding of the importance of following good hygiene and health routines as they independently manage their own personal care. They are supported by the staff's secure knowledge and recent training on appropriate health and hygiene routines and first aid. Appropriate records are kept when children have accidents or require medication; however, no records are kept of any existing injuries. The children enjoy participating in a wide range of indoor and outdoor physical activities, such as different ball games and playing in the adventure play area. They are aware of the benefits of regular exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Individual children gain confidence and test out their coordination and organisation skills in team games or small group activities. Children also have the opportunity to relax in the quiet corner on beanbags. The children understand the importance of having regular drinks to stay healthy as

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Helping children to be healthy

they help themselves to water or juice. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet as staff encourage them to make healthy choices. The staff takes into account the dietary requirements of children and work in partnership with parents to ensure children have healthy nutritious foods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are secure and confident in the well-planned out of school club. Their well-being is protected in daily risk assessments, as well as the staff's good knowledge and understanding of health and safety policies and procedures. The children gain a sound understanding of emergency escape procedures as these are practiced regularly. Staff review the outcomes of the fire drill to ensure the children's safety is maintained. Children's welfare is safeguarded as senior members of staff attend up to date training on child protection issues and procedures. The children are involved in developing and reviewing safety rules and understand and respect boundaries, such as not leaving the school premises. Good procedures are in place for the collection of children, adults can only be admitted by staff. Activities are appropriately supervised to enable children to accept challenges and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

confidently test out their skills in a supportive environment. They can choose from good quality resources and equipment which is easily accessed or available from staff members.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident and enjoy being together in the relaxed and friendly environment. They relate well to staff and each other, developing a strong sense of belonging as they readily contribute information and share experiences at snack time. Children confidently accept challenges and persevere with good levels of concentration, such as when they play Jenga. They plan their own designs when using salt dough and other craft work. They make decisions and choose from an interesting range of stimulating activities and resources available. Adults and children communicate effectively and take time to listen and respond to each other in informal chats. Children's individual interests and preferences are recognised and provided for in energetic physical play or quiet, relaxing craft work. Children are provided with some excellent outdoor play facilities where they develop

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their physical skills in football, throwing and catching. They can climb and balance on the Jungle Gym. Staff and children enjoy board games together within the happy and settled atmosphere.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all involved and included in agreeing boundaries and standards of behaviour for the whole group and this is regularly reviewed. Individual levels of understanding and maturity are respected and are taken into account, as children are encouraged to accept responsibility for their own actions and acknowledge the needs of others. Children are aware that certain rules are required to maintain a safe and fair environment where they play happily together and have fun. They are encouraged to use the suggestion book; this is responded to positively by staff to ensure their ideas are considered and acted upon, within reason. A fully inclusive environment enables children across the age range to be actively and confidently involved in all areas. However, staff have not done any specific equal opportunities training to increase their knowledge in this area. Children with additional

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Helping children make a positive contribution

needs are discreetly supported and included by staff who are sensitive to individual strengths and weaknesses. Self-esteem and confidence is developed in a positive approach, where staff offer children regular praise, value kind actions and celebrate success. Children play co-operatively and learn to negotiate successfully in a game of football or when deciding which film to watch. All relevant information is gathered and shared with parents when children enrol. Informal chats, letters and notices promote an effective partnership between staff and parents to support children in the setting. However, the regulator's Parent poster is not displayed; this may lead to delays should parents wish to contact Ofsted. Parents expressed their complete confidence in the care their children receive in the group.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in a calm environment where they have fun individually and in whole group games, they enjoy choosing activities from the interesting available options. Staff are organised and well prepared as they attend training which includes areas, such as playwork, first aid, food hygiene and child protection. They work effectively as a team as they assess and respond to the needs and interests of individuals. Children are appropriately supervised both indoors and outdoors. Overall, supervision is provided by the owner who visits the setting regularly. She is on call daily, and is readily available to offer support and advice. All required documentation is in place. A comprehensive booklet of Little Tinker's policies is available for staff and parents, with effective procedures followed. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection some recommendations were made regarding documentation. Staff records have now been updated and all relevant information included; the child protection procedure has been updated to include the steps to take should an allegation of abuse be made against a member of staff; parents can now access the telephone number of the regulatory body from the complaints procedure.

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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • further protect the children by ensuring that records are kept of any existing injuries a child may arrive with • further develop staff's knowledge of equal opportunities in order for them to gain confidence in this area and to improve outcomes for the children • ensure parents have easy access to the regulator's contact number as on the Ofsted Parent poster.

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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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