Whickham PlayZone Ltd

Front Street Out Of School Club Ltd Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY349454 Inspection date 24/11/2011 Inspector Jacqui West

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Setting address Front Street Primary School, Whickham, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, Tyne and Wear, NE16 4AD Telephone number 0191 433 5674 or 07981 820837 Email 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.

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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

Front Street Out of School Ltd is a registered charity and limited company. It has been registered since 2005. The out of school club is based within Front Street School, situated in the Whickham area of Gateshead. Children have access to the dining hall, which has integral kitchen facilities available. Children also have access to outdoor play areas.

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Description of the setting

The setting is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of 60 children under eight years. There are currently eight children on roll in the early years age group. The group offers a breakfast club, after school care and holiday club for the children attending Front Street Primary School and the local community. Sessions run from 7.30am to 8.55am and from 3.15pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday term time and from 8am to 6pm during the holiday periods.

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Description of the setting

There are five permanent members of staff and one casual worker who work at the club. The manager has a relevant childcare qualification at level 6, three staff hold level 3 qualifications and one member of staff is working towards a level 3 qualification.

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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

Staff create a warm and friendly environment to all children and their families. They demonstrate a genuine commitment to inclusion which is evident throughout all aspects of their practice. Children access a good variety of resources and learning experiences. There are sound procedures in place to assess children's learning and development. Generally, partnership working is good. Staff effectively evaluate the quality of service, care and education in order to identify areas for further development and promote continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop partnerships with parents, sharing information with them and involving them in their child's continuous learning and development  continue to develop systems for recording children's progress, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and identifying learning priorities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are well protected as staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of their role in safeguarding. Detailed policies and procedures to promote the safe and effective management of the setting are in place. For example, safe collection procedure and lost child policy. Recruitment procedures ensure that staff are appropriately qualified and that the required checks are completed. Staff benefit from regular team meetings and ongoing access to relevant training. All core staff have completed safeguarding, first aid and food hygiene training, in addition to a range of other training, such as behaviour management and equality and diversity. Risk assessments effectively promote children's safety. A written record of risk assessment is completed for indoors, outdoors and outings. Staff actively evaluate and identify areas to improve safety. For example, the lighting around the perimeter of the building has been improved.

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the early years provision

Consequently the steps leading to the setting and toilets are well lit. Effective use is made of the space to accommodate different types of play activities, including role play, craft, quiet area and physical play. Resources are stored in boxes that are placed at low level, this effectively promotes children's independence. A large floodlit outdoor area provides many opportunities for children to be active and learn about the environment.

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the early years provision

Staff work closely with parents from the start to ensure that they are aware of and able to fully support children's individual needs. Parents receive regular information through discussions, letters and with the use of the notice boards. Parents regularly suggest changes that the setting take on board, such as to increase the opening times and to sign children in by their surnames. Development records are periodically shared with some parents. However, this is not fully consistent with all parents. This does not fully support children's continuous learning and development. Good links are made with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. For instance, staff exchange relevant information about individual children with teaching staff at the local nursery. They obtain copies of the nursery's schemes of work to enable them to work in harmony to support children's learning. Good procedures are in place to evaluate the service,

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the early years provision

care and education provided. Areas for further development are identified and fully addressed. The manager and staff demonstrate a genuine commitment and enthusiasm to the improvement of the service to promote outcomes for children. The recommendation raised at the last inspection has been fully addressed.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy good relationships with staff and their peers and are happy at the setting. They access a wide range of fun activities including, painting, dressing up, computer games and construction toys, and are able to make choices about their activities. The routine is flexible and allows for a good balance of adult- and child- led activities. Children have set the rules for the setting, which helps them develop a sense of responsibility. Consequently their behaviour is good. They show respect This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for one another as they negotiate their play while engaged in a role play. They enjoy the company of the older children and follow their lead when making dens using large blankets. Children plant and grow vegetables and celebrate a number of cultural festivals, such as Egyptian week, Chinese New Year and St David's day. This develops their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the creative area as they make Christmas cards for their family members. Staff are very aware of children's individual needs and interests and plan accordingly. Staff observe and assess what children know and can do. Key staff have a good knowledge about the Early Years Foundation Stage and have sound systems to monitor children's development. However, on the day of the inspection the key person for the early years was absent, and not all of the development records readily available. The manager was able to explain where the children are at in their development and identify their next learning steps.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment where standards of hygiene are well maintained. Staff raise children's awareness of safety by discussing relevant matters, such as road safety and by practising regular fire drills. Staff show a good understanding of health related policies and procedures. Healthy eating is well promoted and snack choices are varied and nutritious, including sandwiches and pasta. Fresh drinking water is readily available. Staff recognise the importance of promoting an active lifestyle. They ensure that children have regular opportunities to take part in physical activities both indoors and out. For example, children enjoy the use of a game console and selection of games that promote physical activity. Children are taken on outings to the park, beach and farm. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the documentation they have in place and the reason for it, such as the written records for recording

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and outcomes for children

accidents and medication administered. Consequently this effectively promotes children safety and well-being. 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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