Wise Owls Holiday Club

Wise Owls Club Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY291729 Inspection date 23/08/2011 Inspector Kim Mundy

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Setting address Highfield School, West Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1PD Telephone number 08445 611 606 Email info@wiseowlsclub.co.uk Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

The Wise Owls Club registered in July 2004, and it is one of several clubs run by Wise Owls Club Ltd. The club operates from several rooms within Highfield School in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Children have access to toilet facilities within the school and a fully enclosed outside area. The club serves the local area and children can attend for a variety of sessions. The setting is open during the school holidays from 9am until 5pm, with the option of extended care from 8am until 6pm.

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Description of the setting

The Wise Owls Club is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of 40 children under the age of eight years old. There are currently 15 children in the early years age group on roll. The Club employs four staff, three of which hold a relevant early years qualifications.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The club provides a very warm and welcoming environment for children to have fun during the school holidays. Overall, there is a good variety of toys and activities available to effectively promote all areas of children's learning. Through self-assessment and a shared vision, the setting shows good capacity to make continuous improvements. Strong partnerships with parents, carers and others support children's learning and development resulting in good outcomes. Good systems are in place to ensure that children are safe and their welfare is positively promoted.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 provide a wider range of toys and resources to promote children's understanding of diversity.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well because staff are up to date with current legislation in relation to child protection. They know the correct procedures to follow and what is expected of them should they have any concerns. There is effective vetting and recruitment procedures that ensure all persons employed are suitable to work with children and remain so through regular checks. Thorough risk assessments are carried out for the premises and outings to promote children's safety. The premises are secure and staff monitor the safe arrival and departure of children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 All adults and visitors are asked to sign the visitor's book to further safeguard the children. The required paperwork is accurate and well organised, and underpins this good childcare service.

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the early years provision

The provider and manager demonstrate a strong commitment to providing good quality childcare and are aware of the club's strengths and areas for development. The enthusiastic staff team reflect on their practice and they regularly meet to discuss their work and how to develop this further.

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the early years provision

The setting is inclusive and the individual needs of the children are met. As a result, children are happy and secure. The setting is generally well resourced and organised to maximise children's ability to independently select what they want to do. However, there are too few toys and resources to promote children's understanding of diversity, particularly those which reflect disability. Good use is made of space. Boys and girls have equal access to all of the activities provided. The provider ensures that as the need arises, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and English spoken as an additional language are given necessary support within the club.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the friendly exchange of information between staff and parents' on arrival and collection, which ensures their changing needs are met and provides continuity of care. The children state that they enjoy playing with the toys and their friends, and joining many of the exciting activities at the club. Sharing of information with teachers at the school enables the setting to provide activities that complement those offered by school. By maintaining a two-way flow of information with teachers, the setting also ensures continuity of care for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good understanding of why it is important to lead healthy lives. Children thoroughly enjoy playing outdoors in the fresh air; they increase their physical skills as they balance on apparatus and participate in various games. Good hygiene routines are established to promote children's well- being, such as washing hands to reduce the risk of cross-infection. The cook prepares healthy meals and follows food hygiene routines and guidelines, such as taking fridge and freezer temperature readings. In addition, children enjoy a variety of healthy snacks and help themselves to drinking water throughout the day. Good policies and procedures in are in place to underpin the care of children in emergency situations and all staff hold a valid first aid certificate. Children are learning to keep safe as they practise the fire drill and are taught to use tools, such as scissors, safely.

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and outcomes for children

Children make a positive contribution to the setting; they behave well and help to tidy up at the end of the session. They clearly know what is expected of them and are very kind and caring to all their friends, which further contributes to their strong sense of belonging. Children's self-esteem is boosted by the praise and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouragement they receive from the very kind and caring staff. Children are proud of their personal achievements, for instance, as they show staff their model rockets. They learn to show consideration for others, take their turn during games, learn good manners and listen attentively at story time.

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and outcomes for children

Staff have a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and they plan a wide and exciting range of activities both in and outdoors. Planning is very flexible depending upon the children's individual interests and their own ideas. The play room is attractively set up to entice children to play on arrival and they are able to select materials and resources in all six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are thoroughly enjoying their time at this club as they participate in a range of exciting activities with their friends. For example, this week children are exploring space. They have fun building large rockets and a space station, and enjoy dressing up as astronauts. Children spend time problem solving as they make monkey chains, fit puzzles together and decide how to create their rockets with the recycling materials. They are enthusiastically finding out about American history and animals through a range of exciting activities, for instance, art and crafts, face painting, cooking, music and movement, role-play, games and stories. They particularly enjoy learning about the American President and making models of his home in America. Children are encouraged to bring in things from home and they proudly share their holiday photos of their visit to the Space Centre in Florida. Children are encouraged to take part in activities to help them to understand the

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and outcomes for children

wider world. For instance, when celebrating the festival of Diwali, children make lamps called 'Divas'. They enjoy going on weekly outings on the mini-bus to a variety of places to widen their experiences. This staff team are committed to providing children with good quality care and learning, and above all, they are having great fun during their school holidays. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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