Little K's

Little K's Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY363871 Inspection date 16/01/2012 Inspector Rachel Edwards

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Setting address North Thatchams Children's Centre, Park Lane, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 3PG Telephone number 07786 871 756 Email johnwest512@hotmail.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.

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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

Little K's opened in 2007. It is privately owned, providing wrap around care for children aged three to fourteen years. Little K's is based in North Thatcham Children's Centre, close to Thatcham Park School, where the majority of children who attend come from. They also collect children from other nearby schools. They have their own room but may also use other areas in the building. The children have access to a secure outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

Little K's is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. It is registered to care for a maximum of 24 children under eight years, at any one time, of these no more than seven may be under two years. Older children may also attend. Little K's is open each weekday from 3pm to 6pm during school term times. It also provides a lunch club during the week from 11.15am to 12.45pm. The holiday club operates from 9am to 3pm during inset days and school holidays. The club also provides creches for West Berkshire Council throughout the week.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 58 children on roll, of these 45 are under eight years, including 24 in the early years age range. Children come from a wide geographical area. The setting supports a small number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and some children who are learning English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

Little K's employs five members of staff, who work directly with the children. All of these hold appropriate childcare 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

Children are safe and well cared for at this club, which is efficiently organised overall. They have freedom to choose from a wide variety of enjoyable, worthwhile activities and are encouraged to be actively involved in running the club. Effective partnerships with parents, carers and the schools that children attend mean that children's individual needs are recognised and taken into account. The owner and her staff reflect on what they do and take everyone's views into consideration. They constantly make changes that benefit the children and demonstrate a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  make more effective use of the indoor and outdoor spaces available, in particular to provide a peaceful area where children can rest or play quietly if they wish  provide a suitable secure area to store confidential information.

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the early years provision

The owner has established clear procedures, which staff follow diligently, to help keep children safe. Rigorous recruitment, vetting and induction of staff ensures that all adults are suitable and experienced to work with children. All staff receive child protection training and know what to do if they have concerns. They form good relationships with the children and talk about issues such as bullying, so that children feel secure and confident to express any worries. They use risk assessments effectively to highlight dangers and take action to minimise risks. These include safe arrangements for collecting children from schools and taking them on holiday club outings. All the required records for the safe and efficient running of the club are in place. However, confidential information is not stored securely.

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the early years provision

The owner and staff constantly evaluate what they provide. They regularly use questionnaires to find out what parents and children think of the club and use picture prompts for the non-readers. They also use ideas slips, a suggestion box and a children's board to get further feedback. This has led to changes such as more variety of fruit at snack time and the establishment of a children's council. Children are confident to express their views as they know they are listened to, for example, at the children's request, staff are to wear a club uniform, creating a greater sense of belonging.

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the early years provision

Little K's makes all children feel welcome. Staff take time, before children have even started, making sure that they are aware of any special needs and what the children enjoy playing with. They continue liaising closely with parents and schoolteachers so that each child is well cared for. Children learn to value differences in many ways. For example, Makaton signs are displayed to help all children communicate with each other. Picture cards are used to help children with communication problems express themselves, for example, they can tell the snack helper what they would like to eat. Some signs are in children's home languages, so that linguistic and cultural differences are valued.

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the early years provision

The environment is generally well organised and allows children to easily see what is available and to choose what to play with. They take responsibility for keeping the room safe and tidy and write labels on boxes of good quality toys. However, on busy days, the room is very full and noisy, making it difficult for children who want to rest or play quietly. The group have the use of quieter comfortable spaces in the building but staff are not always deployed effectively to make full use of these. There is an excellent, exciting outdoor play area, where children can choose to play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Little K's provides parents with a wide range of information about the organisation and the activities provided, through a parents pack, notice board and newsletters. They have daily discussions with staff when they collect their children and can see

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the early years provision

their children's diaries and learning records, which show what they have achieved. Staff build very good relationships with the schools that children attend, sharing relevant information about the children. For example, they work together to help children make friends in school and in the club.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly enjoy attending the club. They cheerfully greet staff and friends and settle quickly to their chosen activities. They behave exceptionally well and are sensitive to others, for example, leaving space for those wanting to do puzzles on the floor. Staff use innovative, fun ways to encourage good behaviour, such as reminders from puppets and putting names into a rewards jar. Children agree to abide to the club's short list of rules, before they start, so they know what is expected of them. They play safely and responsibly, for example, following rules when using the trampoline. Children were interested to hear about staff's first aid training and enjoyed learning some simple first aid.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging as they confidently get out things they need or help to prepare the snack. Children have ownership of the club and are involved in making decisions, for example, by choosing venues for outings or agreeing what charity to support. Children are given a key member of staff who gets to know them well. They observe children at play and monitor their development, noting things that especially interest them so these can be included in the plans.

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and outcomes for children

Children play creatively as they re-enact scenarios from favourite stories or their own lives. A huge box of dressing up clothes and other props fires their imagination. They rummage through a selection of recycled materials to find just the right pot to make a shaker. Staff are always on hand to offer help and suggestions if needed but also know when to leave children to play on their own. Children value this freedom after a more structured day at school. Staff provide resources that encourage children to think creatively and solve problems, such as building tents. The wide range of activities helps children learn new and develop existing skills, which will benefit their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Staff plan some adult led activities, to help children learn new skills or ideas. For example, they build volcanoes and make them 'erupt' with bicarbonate of soda and use coloured water to see how flower stems take up water. Staff use opportunities to help children learn as they play. For example, encouraging them to work out how much fruit to prepare for snack or encouraging them to write captions for pictures. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 In the holiday club, staff organise interesting outings, such as a trip on a barge and a visit to an adventure park. These give the children enjoyable, interesting experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children make healthy choices. They enjoy nutritious snacks and learn about healthy eating through activities such as making fruit kebabs and smoothies. They understand why they must wash their hands before they eat or handle food and even the youngest manage this well on their own. They have access to an excellent outdoor play area, with suitably challenging large and small equipment. They choose when to go out so they enjoy being physically active. They also use a large room for dancing and more boisterous play, so they can still be active in poor weather or after dark. 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 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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