Elm Cottage Out of School at Didsbury Road

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/08/2004 Inspector Name Jeanne Lesley Walsh

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care, Out of School Day Care Setting Name Elm Cottage, Didsbury Road Primary Setting Address Didsbury Road Primary School Didsbury Road,Heaton Mersey Stockport Cheshire

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

Elm Cottage Out of School Club at Didsbury Road Primary School has been registered since 1991. It operates in the main hall of the school with further access to the canteen room. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area as well as access to a large playing field. The Out of School facility currently has approximately 117 children on roll aged from school age to 11 years and the club serves the wider community. It operates every day during school term time from 15:00 until 17:45 and provides a full day holiday fun club during all school holidays except for Christmas when the club is closed for one week. The Club is part of the Elm Cottage group of day care facilities which includes both day nurseries and out of school clubs. The current staff either hold a suitable childcare qualification or they a working towards obtaining one. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and they are

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Information about the setting

currently in the process of completing "The Merits of Quality Play" which is Stockport's Accreditation Scheme for settings catering solely for children over eight years and Quality Assurance Scheme for Out Of School and Play scheme Providers. The club currently supports the care of children with special needs in conjunction with Stockport's Sharecare.

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How good is the Day Care?

Elm Cottage at Didsbury Road Playcheme provides a good standard of care for children. There are good procedures in place for ensuring that all staff are checked and most documentation is up to date and well maintained. The group is well organised so that children receive sufficient support and all staff can work directly with them. They are welcomed into a clean, safe and stimulating environment where furniture and equipment is available to meet the needs of children of all ages and stages of development. Toys and games are set out before the children arrive and children can choose for themselves or ask for alternatives from the cupboard. Positive steps are taken to ensure safety within the setting and risk assessments are well maintained and ongoing. Most daily routines demonstrate good hygiene practice. Children may bring a packed lunch but snacks are provided and staff are aware of individual dietary needs. Good resources promote equal opportunities and

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How good is the Day Care?

staff demonstrate awareness and acknowledge differences. The club supports the

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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 care of children with special needs and they have awareness of child protection issues and procedures. Children are happy and are engaged in purposeful play and they are included in the planning of activities. Resources are available to promote positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability and staff make every effort to meet children's individual needs. A positive behaviour management policy is in place. Positive relationships are developed between staff and parents and daily discussion with parents keeps them informed.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the manager agreed to ensure that the registration system showed times of arrival and departure and record details of injuries a child may have on arrival at the club. They agreed to ensure that packed lunches are suitably stored and provide a special needs statement available to staff and parents. They also agreed to provide an action plan detailing how they will ensure cleanliness, hygiene and the structural safety of the toilets and clear access to them. Staff and children are now timed in and out so there is evidence of who is on the premises at all times. Staff have been informed of the importance of recording any injuries a child may have on arrival and this now takes place for the benefit of the children. There is a special needs statement available for both staff and parents providing relevant information. A notice was put about packed lunches and the safe storage of these, parents now include frozen drinks or ice packs in the lunch box in

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What has improved since the last inspection?

an effort to keep them cool. Toilet facilities are clean and there is access to an additional toilet block if required. These procedures help to ensure children have a suitable safe facility.

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What is being done well?

• Children are happy and have fun, they enjoy the activities. They have good opportunities to make choices for themselves and are well supported by a good staff team who all work directly with the children and demonstrate an awareness of their individual needs. • A wide variety of activities covering all areas of play and development are imaginatively presented to capture children's interest and offer opportunities for challenge and progression. Children are observed to be busy, involved and absorbed in their choices of play and they know that there is always time for them to finish their work at a pace that they are comfortable with. All levels of children's work is valued and respected giving children pride and respect for themselves and each other. Activities are followed through e.g. following a visit to Wigan Pier they created a display relating to All Our Yesterdays with contributions from staff, children and parents thus ensuring that activities are

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What is being done well?

carried through to their full potential and children's learning and pleasure is maximised.

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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 • Positive and consistent strategies are used for behaviour management and are effective in practice. Observation shows that children are given lots of praise and encouragement, which boosts their self-esteem and confidence. Staff give the children time, they talk to them and listen to them and the children respond well. Children are observed to be polite, friendly and secure. •• Staff positively support the care of children with special needs. They demonstrate an awareness of issues that surround their care and activities are presented in a way that all children can be included and their needs met. They work closely with parents and in conjunction with Stockport's Sharecare, to enable them to provide appropriately for children. The staff demonstrate commitment to their care and this is confirmed in comments

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What is being done well?

made in the parents comment book in the club.

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What needs to be improved?

• the documentation regarding the medication record forms • the arrangements for drying hands in the children's toilet areas.

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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 7 Further develop the facilities for drying hands in the children’s toilets and ensure the medication forms are always completed in full.

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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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