YMCA Portsmouth DaycampsOfsted inspection, 5 Aug 2004

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 05/08/2004 Inspector Name Lilyanne Taylor

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name St Lukes Holiday Playscheme Setting Address St. Lukes Community Sports Centre Greetham Street Southsea, Portsmouth Hampshire PO5 4HA

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name South East Hampshire YMCA Address YMCA: National Centre, Fairthorne Manor Curbridge, Botley Southampton Hampshire SO30 2GH

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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 Lukes Holiday Playscheme has been registered in these premises since 2001. It is an organisational run playscheme and operates from within the premises of St Lukes Community Sports Centre, which is situated in the Somerstown area of Portsmouth. The playscheme provides care for children from all areas. Children are able to attend a variety of pre-booked sessions. The playscheme is open Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:30 during school holidays only. The playscheme provides care for children with special needs and supports children who speak English as an additional language. There is 14 members of staff employed to work with the children. All staff have undertaken basic play work training through the registered organisation. The three play leaders have undertaken NVQ level 3 and are awaiting their certificates. Two members of staff are currently attending courses one to gain a degree in teaching and the other an NVQ 2 in childcare.

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How good is the Day Care?

St Lukes Holiday Playscheme provides good quality care for children. The manager of the playscheme and all staff are suitably experienced and qualified to care for children. Children are well cared for in a safe, secure and very welcoming environment. Space and resources are organised well and staff are deployed effectively so the needs of all children are met at all times. Staff have an excellent awareness of children's safety both within the premises and outdoors. Health and hygiene procedures and practices promote the good health of children. Children are provided with regular drinks and healthy eating is encouraged. The excellent procedures in place for children with special or additional needs ensures all children are treated as individuals and their needs are recognised and

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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 appropriately supported. All staff attend child protection training, they have a sound knowledge of all child protection issues and the referral procedures to be followed if abuse of a child were suspected. A well balanced range of activities are provided for the children. Staff's management of children's behaviour is excellent, the strategies they use ensures all children have a full understanding of the rules of the playscheme. Staff establish a good relationship with parents. Parents are given very good information relating to the operational procedures the playscheme works to and they are welcomed into the playscheme. All documentation and recording which is required for the efficient and safe management of the playscheme is in place, however the policy for an uncollected

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What is being done well?

• The organisation of the playscheme is very good. Procedures in place ensure the adult to child ratio is always maintained. Staff work well together as a team and they are all aware of their responsibilities. Space is organised to take account of the differing ages of children attending and the activities they are engaged in. Children are grouped appropriately, which ensures their individual needs are met and appropriate care is provided. • Staff provide an excellent and varied programme of activities for children which supports their development in all areas. They make good use of the outdoors and children are taken on regular outings and visits to places of interest. Staff enthusiastically join in with the children whilst they play, they take an interest in what the children have to say and do and respond to children's individual needs and interests. Children relate well to one another and the adults in the playscheme, they enjoy their play.

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What is being done well?

• Ensuring children's safety at all times is a high priority of the playscheme. Staff are very vigilant and alert. Risk assessments are continually carried out during sessions on all areas children have access to. Prior visits are carried out by staff to all places the children are taken to for activities or outings, which ensures the venues are suitable, safe and the facilities provided are appropriate for all children. Parents are given details of all trips and outings the playscheme is proposing to carry out, and their permission is sought prior to their children attending these events. • The strategies staff use for managing children's behaviour is excellent. All children are involved in the setting up of the playschemes rules. Staff write the rules in the language children use so they have a full understanding and ownership of them, for example "we must not pinch other peoples stuff" and "we will treat others how we like to be treated". Children's behaviour is

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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 exemplary.

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

Equality of opportunity for all is a strength of this playscheme and the South East Hampshire YMCA who are the registered providers. Staff are recruited fairly and non-discriminatorily, their individual skills and abilities are recognised, valued and supported. Staff adapt the way they present activities to children, they take into account the varying ages and stages of development of the children attending which ensures activities are suitable, appropriate and all children's individual needs are met. Children for whom English is an additional language are welcomed into the playscheme, staff plan activities which take into account their cultural backgrounds. Children with special or additional needs are included and integrated in the playscheme. The organisation has their own dedicated special, additional needs support unit which aims to meet and support the individual needs of all children. They work in partnership with parents, other professionals, agencies and

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An aspect of outstanding practice:

organisations. Assessments are carried out to ascertain the level of support or help each child may need which allows all children to be included, integrated and to have equal access to the wide range of activities the playscheme offers, regardless of their individual abilities or family circumstances. All parents are welcomed into the playscheme and they are able to help on a voluntary basis if they so wish.

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What needs to be improved?

• The detail in the uncollected child policy.

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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 14 Review the existing written policy for an uncollected child to ensure it contains all the procedures the playscheme would follow in the event of a child not being collected.

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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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