The Hut Pre-school and Playscheme

The Hut

Inspection report for early years provision

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The Hut

Unique Reference Number 962775 Inspection date 29 August 2006 Inspector Nigel Lindsay Smith

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The Hut

Setting Address Hinton Close, Newton Road, Bath, BA2 1RX

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E-mail

Registered person Twerton Play Forum Committee Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care, Crèche

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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?

The Hut Crèche and Out of School is managed by a voluntary management committee, made up of parents and members of the local community. It opened in 1990 and operates from The Hut building in Twerton, Bath. A maximum of 15 children may attend the crèche, and 30 children may attend the holiday scheme at any one time. Children from the age of four years to 12 years of age attend the holiday scheme. The crèche opens five days a week during school term times from 09.00 to 11.00, 11.15 to 13.00 and 13.15 to 15.00, and the play scheme opens during school holidays from 11.00 to 15.00. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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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 48 children from five to 12 years on roll in the holiday scheme. The scheme serves the local and surrounding area. The setting currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and also supports children who speak English as an additional language. The setting employs nine members of staff. Of these, seven have appropriate early years qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is enhanced by asking parents to ensure that their packed lunches are healthy, and to notify staff about any allergies their child has. Children are able to ask staff for drinks at any time so that they do not become dehydrated. They are protected in the event of an accident as parents give permission for emergency medical treatment. Accidents are recorded appropriately, with arrangements made to inform the parents. Children's health is compromised if they are given medication, as arrangements to inform the parent after it has been administered do not include obtaining their signature to confirm that they have been told. Children are protected from the unnecessary spread of infection by arrangements for them not to attend if they are ill, and by staff's encouragement to wash their hands before eating. Staff clean the premises thoroughly at the end of each day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular opportunities to exercise in the well-resourced outside area and indoors. They choose from a variety of physical activities such as circus skills, and those provided by weekly visits from a sports coach as part of a "Healthy Living" project.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit a variety of rooms which allow a range of different activities to be provided. They are brightly decorated, with children contributing, such as by designing the sea creatures. The outside area provides sufficient space for games and the use of a bouncy castle, and children enjoy exploring the garden. Children are safeguarded if there are child protection concerns, as there is an appropriate procedure and staff have good awareness of their responsibilities. The relevant contact details for the local Social Services Department are accessible. Children are protected, as no adults who have not been police checked are left alone with them. The premises are enclosed, with a secure gate. Children are kept safe through regular checks of the premises and the outside area;

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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 however, this is not systematically backed up by a written risk assessment. Fire evacuation drills practised with the children are not recorded to indicate that they are carried out regularly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are engaged in a broad range of activities that are interesting and stimulating. Activities organised during the holiday scheme are well-considered beforehand, with children consulted. Children are enthusiastic and assured. They choose with confidence from the suitable and appropriate range of toys and resources that are selected prior to their arrival; they can also ask for other items. Children enjoy the varied creative activities on offer to them and eagerly participate. Their learning and enjoyment is well supported through appropriate staff intervention. For example, staff discuss with them how many parts are needed to complete hoops. Children concentrate on using special equipment to carefully burn images onto wood. Children enjoy regular outings, such as to the cinema and a local wild-life park. They move freely between craft activities indoors, such as making masks, and the bouncy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

castle and garden area outside as staff provide constant cover in each area. They excitedly anticipate the water fountains being turned on at the end of the day to cool off in hot weather.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to equipment and activities to learn about the wider world, which helps them to learn positively about differences. They hear music from around the world in a "Street dance" session and through a group of visiting African drummers. There are effective procedures to ensure that children with special needs are fully included in activities, using higher staffing ratios. Staff make the policies available to the parents and carers and exchange information with them at the end of the session. This helps them to establish an effective partnership, so that the children benefit from shared information and understanding. There is a complaints procedure; however, information on complaints is not readily available on request within a complaints log. This is a breach of regulation. Children behave well as staff are friendly and polite to them and give clear instructions. Children are involved in the process of establishing good social

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour as they contribute to a set of rules for the scheme. Staff have effective procedures to manage any behavioural problems, such as a short period of "time-out" for the child to calm down and think about their behaviour.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. Staff are deployed well to ensure that children have access to the full range of activities. There is a high ratio of adults when children from the play scheme for disabled children are included. Recruitment procedures ensure that staff are checked appropriately, and training is provided before the scheme commences. Records are maintained confidentially and retained for the appropriate length of time. The children enjoy a varied programme with a wide choice of equipment and activities. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, recommendations were raised relating to children's hygiene, deployment of staff and the security of the premises. These have been successfully addressed. Children are encouraged to regularly wash their hands, for example before meal-times. Staff are now deployed to ensure that they remain in all of the areas used by the children, so that children can move freely between activities with the required ratio of adults being maintained. The premises are enclosed, with a secure gate. Staff ensure that all visitors are monitored.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 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):

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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 • ensure that parents sign records of any medication having been administered to their children • ensure that records are kept of periodic fire drills • ensure that a risk assessment of the premises is conducted and reviewed as necessary • ensure that a record of complaints is established, with arrangements to share appropriate information from that record with parents on request

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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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