St. Nicholas PlaycentreOfsted inspection, 7 Apr 2004

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 07/04/2004 Inspector Name Margaret Coyne

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Out of School Day Care Setting Name St. Nicholas Play Centre Setting Address Pilgrims Way Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 4PT

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Stevenage Borough Council Address Daneshill House, Danestrete Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 1HN

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

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 THE INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality and standard of day care. When making judgements, inspectors have regard to how well the provider meets the National Standards for under Eights Day Care and Childminding. A list of these is attached. The report identifies strengths and areas for improvement. This inspection report must be made available to all parents.

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Information about the setting

St Nicholas Play Centre is an open access scheme for children held on a Stevenage Borough Council site. Children from the local area attend. The playscheme has the use of a hall, a separate art and craft room, an office, a kitchen, toilets and an outdoor play area. Children aged from five years to fourteen years attend the play scheme and numbers vary each day. the group currently supports children with special needs. The centre is open 5 days a week from 9.00 until 12.30 and from 1.30 until 5.00 for set weeks during the holidays and for after school and Saturday clubs at other times. This is a drop-in facility and children are free to join or leave at any time. There is a core group of five staff who work directly with the children. Over half the staff working at any time hold a suitable qualification. Play workers have a general duty of care but parents retain responsibility at all times.

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How good is the Day Care?

St.Nicholas Play Centre provides good care for children. The premises are well managed with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.The operational plan covers all aspects of the day-to-day running of the playscheme. However care must be taken to ensure up to date insurance documents are in place and displayed and the displayed complaints procedure contains all relevant details. Children are grouped well with good staff support and a variety of resources. Space is used effectively, for both indoor and outdoor activities. The group have been awarded the Herts Quality Standard Kite Mark award.

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How good is the Day Care?

Staff show a high level of awareness of risks to children's health and safety and activities are well organised and supervised to ensure risks are kept to a minimum. The organisation of play materials is excellent providing children with some stimulating and interesting activities that they are able to select for themselves. Children thoroughly enjoy the activities on offer and staff are fully involved with them supporting their play and building warm and trusting relationships. They respond to children's interests allowing them to lead and use encouragement and praise. Children relate well to each other forming small groups and making decisions about the activities.

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How good is the Day 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 Staff implement the behaviour management policy consistently, children are aware of the boundaries and are well behaved. Staff ensure the premises are well maintained and welcoming for children. Care and imagination has been applied when setting up the areas of play to encourage the children to make full use of them, and to respect their resources and environment. There is good information sharing with parents both written and displayed on site. Verbal feedback is given to parents by staff if requested. Staff work closely with parents providing support for any child with special needs. All records and documentation are in place for the safe and efficient management of the playscheme.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provider agreed to produce a written statement for behaviour management, to ensure that evidence of staff vetting is available on site, to provide a policy about the exclusion of sick children, to provide a policy regarding the administration of medication, to obtain written permission from parents with regard to seeking emergency medical treatment and to provide a complaints procedure which includes the details of the regulator. A suitable behaviour management policy is in place and well implemented by all staff. Evidence of staff vetting is held at head office as agreed by Ofsted. A policy is now in place with regard to the exclusion of sick children and included in the information for parents. Medication is not administered by staff and parents are made aware of this in the program booklets. Parental permission is in place on registration forms for staff to seek emergency medical treatment. A complaints policy is in place however the

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What has improved since the last inspection?

procedure that is displayed for parents should contain Ofsted's details should any parent wish to make a complaint directly to the regulator.

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What is being done well?

• Staff are fully involved with the children and are attentive to their needs. Activities are well supported by staff who create a good balance between adult and child-led play. Staff interact well with the children and are beginning to develop trusting relationships between them. This impacts on the children's feelings of security and confidence in the setting. • The staff use available space effectively to provide children with interesting and stimulating opportunities to play and express themselves. Activities are age appropriate and children are able to select from the wide range on offer. All storage areas are well labelled to ensure children can select activities and equipment easily and help to tidy up efficiently. • Staff are active in promoting health and safety. The premises, toys and equipment are clean and well maintained. Children are encouraged to share in the responsibility for their equipment and environment.

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What is being done well?

• Staff implement the behaviour management policy well. Children respond to direction from staff and behaviour is good from all children attending.

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What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 • A comprehensive and well organised system is in place for record keeping. All documentation is clearly kept, accessible and confidential.

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What needs to be improved?

• records, with regard to the public liability insurance document • the information for parents in the event they need to make a complaint directly to Ofsted.

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 6 Obtain public liability insurance and display this at the setting. 12 Ensure the displayed complaints procedure contains the regulators details.

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by the time of the next 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

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

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STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

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STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

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STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

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STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

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STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

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STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

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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