The Old Station Nursery - Stratford-Upon-Avon Pre-School

Denim Out of School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY340990 Inspection date 16/03/2012 Inspector Janet Keeling

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Setting address Willows CoE Primary School, The Willows North, Stratford- Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 9QN Telephone number 01789 290390 Email info@polkadotworld.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

Denim Out of School Club opened in 2006. It is one of nine childcare provisions owned and managed by Polkadot Day Nursery Limited. It operates from self- contained facilities within the grounds of Willows Church of England Primary School in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire. Children have access to an enclosed, outdoor play area and to the school playing fields. The club serves children and families from the local and surrounding areas.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 26 children from four years to under eight years may attend the club at any one time. The club also provides care for children from eight to 11 years. There are currently 118 children on roll, of whom, 14 are within the early years age group. The club opens Monday to Friday during school term time. Sessions are from 8am to 9am and from 3.30pm to 6pm. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

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Description of the setting

The club has procedures in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and is able to support children who speak English as an additional language. The club is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the setting

There are seven members of staff who work directly with the children. All staff hold a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 3 or above. The club receives support from the local authority.

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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 is well organised and managed by an experienced and dedicated manager. Staff are enthusiastic, work well together as a team and strive to offer a welcoming and inclusive service where all children are valued and respected as individuals. Children share warm and friendly relationships with staff and their peers, and as a result, they are clearly happy and enjoy their time at the club. They engage in a wide range of activities which support their interests and learning needs. Highly effective partnerships with parents have been firmly established while links with other early years professionals at the host school are still developing. All staff demonstrate a positive commitment towards the sustained and continuous improvement of the club and have good systems in place to monitor and evaluate their practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 framework in order to fully support children's ongoing learning.

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the early years provision

Good priority is given to safeguarding and protecting children. All staff have completed safeguarding children training and have a clear understanding of child protection procedures. They know who to contact should they be concerned about a child in their care. Children are safeguarded by effective recruitment and vetting procedures, including effective procedures for the induction of new staff. Staff routinely verify the identity of all visitors and have effective procedures in place for the safe arrival and collection of children. Written fire procedures are displayed and staff ensure that regular fire drills are completed. Staff have a good understanding of health and safety issues and have well-written policies and procedures in place to support their practice. Risk assessments and daily checks are completed, ensuring that potential hazards to children are minimised. The deployment of resources is good. For example, staff are effectively deployed to support the

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the early years provision

children's care, safety and well-being and make good use of all available space.

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the early years provision

Staff provide a welcoming and inclusive service where children are fully included and integrated into the life of the club. Staff warmly interact with the children during play and respond to their individual needs, and as a result, children feel safe and secure. Staff are enthusiastic, positive role models and strive to improve their practice. The manager has a clear vision for the club and demonstrates an inspiring commitment to further enhancing the quality and outcomes for all children. Through the effective use of their self-evaluation system and feedback from parent questionnaires they competently identify the club's strengths and areas for development. Staff are fully aware of the importance of working with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework in order to support children's ongoing learning and have established a good support network. However, links with other early years professionals at the host school are still being

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the early years provision

developed. Staff engage in regular appraisals and are given good opportunities to develop their own knowledge and skills through access to ongoing training.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are outstanding. All required documentation such as contracts and consents are in place, reviewed regularly and very well maintained. Parents receive a 'Parent Information Pack' before their child starts at the club and have access to all policies and procedures. Parents expressed excellent views during the inspection. Comments included, 'my child is exceptionally happy at the club', 'children are always fully engaged in a wonderful range of activities' and 'staff are fantastic'. Staff dedicate time getting to know the children and their families, fostering excellent relationships and helping to ensure that children feel safe and secure. Parents are very well informed regarding their children's care and are aware that they can speak to a member of staff at any time. The relaxed and friendly way that daily information is exchanged ensures that children's changing needs are consistently met. Parents access a wealth of

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the early years provision

information regarding the club through the use of a parents' notice board and regular newsletters. In addition, parents are also able to see their child's art work This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 attractively displayed around the club room and reception area.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a bright, welcoming and well resourced environment and from the friendly and caring staff who spend quality time interacting and supporting them as they play. Staff have a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and plan a good range of activities that support children's interests. On admission to the setting all required documentation is completed which records children's individual needs, ensuring that children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. All children are valued and treated with equal concern, with any specific requirements being met sensitively through discussion with parents. Staff know the children very well, they observe and assess them as they play and use information gained to support each child's learning and interests. During the inspection, children said they were happy, had fun and enjoyed playing with their friends. Feedback from the most recent children's

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and outcomes for children

questionnaire also confirmed that children enjoy attending the club. Comments taken from the questionnaire included, 'I like playing with my friends', 'there are lots of fun games to play' and 'the staff are generous, kind and give us healthy food'.

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and outcomes for children

Children are warmly greeted by staff on their arrival at the club. They are familiar with the daily routines and look forward to meeting up with their friends where they can relax and play together. Children are encouraged to make decisions about their own play and learning and to follow their own interests. Their creativity is supported extremely well as they engage in a wide range of interesting and fun activities such as, kite making, marble painting and designing and making key rings. At the art and craft tables children thoroughly enjoy making necklaces and bracelets for Mothers' Day, while others have enormous fun as they decorate candles. Children take huge pride in showing their finished items to staff who fully recognise and celebrate each child's achievements. Children are sensitive to others and can be found helping and supporting each other as they engage in activities. They enjoy board games, construction toys and role play activities such as building

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and outcomes for children

dens and camp fires. Children explore a range of books in the quiet area and access computers to support their learning. They relish opportunities to engage in cooking activities. For example, they ice biscuits and decorate cakes for 'Red Nose Day' and create their own healthy pizzas which they take home to cook and enjoy for their tea. All children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. They engage in team games, such as football and tennis and also enjoy the challenges of the fixed play equipment in the school grounds.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a good sense of belonging at the club where their contributions and achievements are fully recognised. Their confidence and self-esteem is fully supported as staff shower children with regular praise and encouragement. Children are polite, exceptionally well behaved and respond excellently to the boundaries set. They develop an understanding of the wider world through access to resources that are representative of diversity and by celebrating festivals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 throughout the year. For example, as part of their Chinese New Year celebrations children enjoyed tasting a range of foods such as, prawn crackers, noodles, sweet and sour sauce and egg fried rice. Their understanding of good hygiene practises are reinforced throughout the sessions. Healthy lifestyles are promoted exceptionally well. Children are encouraged to engage in physical activities and to

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and outcomes for children

enjoy an excellent range of healthy foods at snack time. They also engage in topic work which further enhances their understanding of healthy lifestyles. Drinking water is available to the children throughout the session, ensuring they remain hydrated. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as staff use everyday opportunities to reinforce their knowledge and understanding. For example, they are reminded how to use equipment safely, not to leave the club room without permission from a member of staff and engage in regular fire drills. 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 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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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