High Bank Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 07/08/2003 Inspector Name Anne Legge

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Out of School Day Care Setting Name Laser Summer Camp Setting Address Victoria Park Road Exeter Devon EX2 4NS

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Laser Summer Camp Address Victoria Park Road Exeter Devon EX2 4NS

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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

Laser Summer Camp provides a multi-activity programme for children aged between 3 and 16 years and is based in Exeter School, near the centre of Exeter. It is open to all children of appropriate ages and includes some children with special needs and some whose first language is other than English. All the children are organised in groups of their own age; the three and four-year-olds are based in the nursery. The camp is currently open from 09:30 until 15:30 for a four week period during the school summer holidays and a soccer club is open for four days during the Easter break. Each activity is supervised by specialist and experienced staff. Further coaching in sports such as swimming, tennis and football can be arranged. In addition to sports and adventurous outdoor activities, arts and crafts, computers, music and drama are offered. The camp is registered to take a maximum of 200 children aged under eight years. Laser Summer Camp does not offer overnight care.

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How good is the Day Care?

Laser Summer Camp provides satisfactory care for children. Children are cared for by well qualified staff, many of whom are specialists in their sport or activity, in a very safe and attractive environment. Staff ratios are very good and the organisation of the scheme is mainly good, although not all the required documents are in place and some policies and procedures need updating. Safety is a high priority at the summer school and all equipment and areas used by children are checked regularly. Most aspects of health and hygiene are satisfactory, but children are not encouraged to eat healthily. Children with special needs are included and well supported and staff are successful in promoting equal opportunities. Children take part in an excellent range of exciting activities, using a wide variety of challenging equipment. Staff have very good relationships with children and use their skills to promote children's development in all areas. They manage children's

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How good is the Day Care?

behaviour effectively, using a variety of positive approaches. Staff relationships with parents are satisfactory and systems are in place for regular communications between staff and parents.

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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

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, Laser Summer Camp agreed to prepare written policies for special needs and equal opportunities. These policies are now in place and staff implement them effectively. Staff also agreed to obtain parents' consent to administer medicines and the systems for this have now been set up.

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What is being done well?

• The summer school operates in very pleasant surroundings, using the spacious buildings and grounds of a private school. Outdoor areas are made very attractive for children, with brightly coloured equipment and ample space for the different age groups. Indoor spaces are also used very effectively for a variety of activities. • Staff provide an excellent range of interesting activities for children, many of which are led by subject specialists. All staff have good relationships with children and interact with them in ways which challenge them and promote their development. • Staff are well qualified and experienced. Staff ratios are very good and the operational plan is understood and implemented effectively by all staff. • Staff have very good relationships with children and use positive and effective methods of managing their behaviour. • Children with special needs and with English as a second language are

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What is being done well?

helped to take part in activities, as appropriate. Staff have a positive attitude to children's individual differences and support them in any activities where they need help. Children from different backgrounds mix well together and take part in all activities. • Safety standards are very high and effective systems are in place to ensure that the site and all activities are regularly assessed for risks to children.

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What needs to be improved?

• written information for parents about how to make a complaint; • the child protection policy, to include procedures to be followed if an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff; • accident and incident forms, to include parents' signatures; • a written policy concerning the exclusion of children with infectious diseases; • attempts to encourage children to eat nutritious foods and to buy healthy snacks from the tuck shop.

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Outcome of the 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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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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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 14 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. 31/08/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 7 devise and implement a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious and make sure parents are made aware of it. 7 update accident records to include parents’ signatures. 8 encourage children to eat healthy meals and snacks. 11 update records of significant issues to include parents’ signatures. 13 update child protection policy to include procedures to be followed if an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff.

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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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