Impact Youth Services Ltd

Spring Lodge Playgroup & Out of School Clubs Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 402132 Inspection date 11/08/2011 Inspector Clementina Ogunsanwo

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Setting address Spring Lodge, Powers Hall End, WITHAM, Essex, CM8 2HE

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Telephone number 01376 511042 Email w.c.a@btconnect.com Type of setting Childcare - Non-Domestic 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. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as

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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

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

Spring Lodge Playgroup and Out of School Clubs is run by Witham Community Association. It opened in 1990 and operates from one room within Spring Lodge Community Centre in Witham. A maximum of 26 children may attend the scheme at any one time. The playgroup is open from 9.15am to 11.45am and 12.15pm to 2.45pm during term times. The out of school clubs are open from 3.30pm until 6pm during term time and from 8.45am until 5.15pm during school holidays.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 48 children aged from two to under eight years on roll, of these 17 receive funding for early education. Children come from both the local and wider catchment area. The setting currently supports a number of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

The playgroup employs eight staff. Six of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate qualifications. One member of staff is working towards a qualification.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are settled well in the playgroup's comfortable learning environment as a result of staff's good level of care and support. Staff are beginning to use some of the information on children's interests to plan activities that sustain the children's interest, although current plans do not sufficiently build on children's current knowledge to facilitate their maximum progress. Links with parents ensure the exchange of valuable background information on the children which enables consistency of care.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

All the paperwork required for the effective care of the children is regularly updated and used for their daily care. Parents feel that their children are kept safe and are actively encouraged to participate in the playgroup's activities, such as educational visits. The playgroup has partly completed a self-evaluation of its practice, although the action plan now needs to specify the challenging targets that would improve the quality of provision. Consistent access to training opportunities supports staff's professional development.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observations more consistently to plan for individual children and match these to the expectations of the early learning goals  identify the key priorities that will facilitate further improvement in the setting's development plan This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  extend the range of opportunities for children to develop their knowledge of the wider world.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well because of the established systems for the promoting the care and welfare of the children. All staff have completed safeguarding training and are aware of their responsibilities to refer any concerns they may have about children's welfare to the relevant safeguarding authority. Children are cared for in a secure and well-maintained environment. A detailed risk assessment has been carried out on all parts of the premises. Prior risk assessments are conducted for local trips, such as to a local aquarium-life centre. All other required policies are reviewed and regularly updated to reflect current childcare practice. An accurate record of children's hours of attendance and departure are maintained.

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the early years provision

Staff make effective use of the indoor accommodation for promoting the care and the learning of the children, however, the outdoor accommodation is not fully maximised to ensure a free-flow of activities from the indoor to the outdoor play area. The lack of a covered area restricts children's outdoor play opportunities during inclement weather conditions. Good use is made of visual resources and makaton signing to ensure effective communication and social integration of children with special educational needs. Staff actively supervise the children during activities, which makes learning fun and also extends their play sessions.

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the early years provision

Staff's positive links to external agencies for specialist advice and support contributes to the successful inclusion of all children and the promotion of equality of opportunity. Purposeful activities, such as the celebration of cultural festivals, for example, Hanukkah, is developing the children's awareness of diverse cultures, although this could be further extended. Parents express satisfaction in the work of the playgroup. They actively take part in the setting's activities, such as playing musical instruments to support the sound-exploration topic. Staff regularly inform parents about their children's progress. Well organised transition systems enable the children's smooth transition to the next stage of their learning.

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the early years provision

Self-evaluation is accurate. The new leadership team's recent action to secure improvements has not fully impacted on the provision. Some of the recommendations from the previous inspection, such as obtaining written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice are in place, although more work is yet to be done to make planning more effective. An action plan has been devised, although current priorities are insufficiently challenging to take the nursery forward in its drive for improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and relaxed and have settled well into the daily familiar routines as a result of staff's consistent care and support. All children are fully included in the range of activities. Relationships are generally positive, although a few of the children find it difficult to share resources. Children undertake lively conversations with each other and staff. The range of activities provided, such as creative activities to make a 'tree in blossom' using a collage of different textured paper and regular role-play sessions to recreate their home experiences sustain the children's interests. A range of construction activities to build a castle and recreate a road and rail lay out allow children to make use of their imagination.

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and outcomes for children

Children's obvious enjoyment is evident in their delight during indoor parachute games. Their good level of independence is evident at mealtimes during which the children feed themselves. Good hygiene procedures are in place to prevent the risk of infection. Children routinely wash their hands after play sessions and before meal times. Their health and well-being are satisfactorily promoted through the provision of healthy snacks and access to water from their lunch packs as required. Children's access to the outdoor environment supports children's physical play sessions and provides them with opportunities to make imaginative use of balancing equipment. However, the lack of a covered area restricts children's outdoor play sessions during inclement weather.

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and outcomes for children

Special visitors, such as the community safety officer assists children's awareness of helpful members of the community. Regular discussions about keeping safe during educational trips to the aquarium-life centre contributes to their awareness of safety. Children's mark making and letter formation skills are developing and they make their own class registers whilst also responding to their names. Some of the older age children can count and are beginning to copy and write their names. This is developing their skills for the future. 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 3 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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