West Grove Primary

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/01/2004 Inspector Name Helen Mary Ball

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Southampton Mencap Junior Gateway Club Setting Address 187a Portswood Road Southampton Hampshire SO17 2NF

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of The Committee of S'ton Mencap Junior Gateway Club

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name The Committee of S'ton Mencap Junior Gateway Club Address Southampton Mencap Junior Gateway Club 187a Portswood Road Southampton Hampshire SO17 2NF

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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

Southampton Mencap Junior Gateway Club operates from a purpose-built centre, with children accessing two main rooms and an enclosed garden. The club is specifically for children with both learning and physical disabilities. There are currently 14 children from 5 to 16 years on roll. The club opens on Saturday mornings during term time. Sessions are from 10:00 until 12:00. Six part-time staff work with children, together with a bank of volunteer workers. Staff have considerable knowledge of both working and playing with children with special needs.

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How good is the Day Care?

Southampton Mencap Junior Gateway Club provides good care overall for children with disabilities. The group has sufficient staff and volunteers to offer children 1:1 support if necessary, and they are willing to update their training on a regular basis. The club is bright and welcoming, with space organised to allow children maximum freedom to move without restriction. The children are secure and confident in this environment. The group provides a good range of accessible toys and games so that children are able to make choices. All relevant paperwork is in place and now needs to be reviewed on a regular basis. The building is secure and staff are vigilant in ensuring children's safety and health, although minor improvements are suggested. Staff keep appropriate accident and medication records. Children are offered a healthy snack and staff offer sensitive support with eating when necessary. Staff treat children with equal concern, listen to

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How good is the Day Care?

them and value what they say. They include all children in activities, celebrating each child's achievement. The supervisor and staff understand signs and symptoms of child abuse, and understand the importance of keeping up to date on this subject. Children are offered a stimulating and varied range of activities. Staff use a variety of methods to communicate with children, including Makaton. They know the children well and adapt activities to enable all children to participate. They offer sensitive support to enable children to complete activities to their individual satisfaction. Staff

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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 enjoy working with the children who have fun. Staff use positive behaviour management techniques and offer plenty of praise and encouragement to children at all times. Staff are good role models and children are caring towards each other. The group has good relationships with parents and carers. Information is exchanged at the end of each session, and parents are sent newsletters about forthcoming events.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, a number of actions were raised in relation to safety. These have all been addressed. Areas for improvement were identified with regard to policies, procedures and record keeping. The club has made good progress in all areas. A wider range of toys and activities is now available to children, and activities are adapted to allow all children to participate.

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What is being done well?

• Staff have extensive experience of working with children with special needs. They work well together as a team and are willing to update their training. The number of staff enables children to receive 1:1 attention if required, they know children well and understand children's individual needs. • The environment is welcoming. Staff value children's creative work and display pictures on a large notice board. Children have access to different rooms with defined activities such as cooking, art, games room and garden. Space is well organised allowing children freedom to move between rooms and outside without restriction. The building and garden are secure throughout the session time. Access to the premises is carefully monitored at the beginning and end of each session. Staff have an excellent awareness of safety issues and are vigilant in the supervision of children, without restricting them. • Children are offered a good range of interesting activities. They are

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What is being done well?

encouraged to make choices which are respected by staff, who offer sensitive support to enable children to complete activities to their own satisfaction. Staff and children have excellent relationships and they have fun. Staff use snack time as an opportunity to sit as a group. A healthy snack is offered and they listen to children and respond to their requests. At the inspection, all children had chosen musical instruments and enjoyed choosing and singing songs. Staff enhanced this activity by also using Makaton. Staff are excellent role models and offer continuous praise and encouragement to children. Staff are aware of children's differing attention spans and change toys and activities to maintain children's interest. • Staff offer a warm welcome to parents and information is shared at the end of each session. The club ensures that parents have completed all relevant consent and registration forms to enable staff to care for children according to

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• system to ensure that supervisor achieves skills equivalent to Level 3 • access to the kitchen • hygiene practices, with regard to hand washing before snack time • system to ensure that staff continue to update knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures • a review of policies and procedures

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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 1 Ensure that supervisory staff continue to update training in order to work towards Level 3 qualification or equivalent. 6 Ensure that children do not have access to the kitchen except with direct staff supervision. 7 Ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing. 13 Continue to develop staff's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. 14 Ensure that policies and procedures are regularly reviewed.

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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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