Funky Friends Link Club

Funky Friends Link Club Burtonwood Scout Hut, Chapel Lane, Burtonwood, Warrington, WA5 4PQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11/10/2013 29/06/2011

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Staff have a sound knowledge of child protection and how to deal with any concerns. This means that children are suitably safeguarded in the setting.  Staff plan and provide for a range of play opportunities, based upon their knowledge of how young children learn.  Close partnerships with parents and the school ensures effective communication between the out of school club and home.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to create more opportunities to talk about healthy foods with children, to reinforce messages about healthier choices.  There is scope to further improve children's self-help skills at mealtimes, to further enhance children's independence in managing their own needs.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector discussed with the staff how they plan for young children's learning needs.  The inspector looked at a selection of children's individual records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector examined and discussed policies and documents, which the out of school club uses when caring for children.

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Information about the setting

Funky Friends Link Club was registered in 2010. It is run by a partnership and is based in Burtonwood scout hut in Warrington. Children have access to the ground floor main hall and an enclosed area for outdoor activities. It is open Monday to Friday during school term time from 7.45am to 9am and 3.15pm to 6pm and during the school holidays from 7.45am to 5.30pm. It primarily serves children attending the local schools.

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Information about the setting

The club is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently five children on roll in the early years age group. The club employs three staff to work with the children, of whom two hold an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. Support is received from the local authority. At the time of the inspection, there were no children in the early years age range present.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 extend children's self-help skills and independence, for example, by reviewing the organisation of snack time to enable children to help to prepare snacks and pour their own drinks

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 create more opportunities to talk about healthy foods with children, to reinforce messages about healthier choices.

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who attend

Staff demonstrate secure knowledge about how young children learn, by planning and providing for a range of experiences, which motivate their interests in learning. For example, staff gather good information from discussions with parents, school and the child on entry to the club, which they use to inform weekly planning. Observations, assessments and the next steps in children's learning are recorded in children's individual learning files. Evidence recorded, suggests that there is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated experiences available. Staff say that they ensure that the children have a good balance of indoor and outdoor play and photographic evidence supports this. Currently, the outdoor area is being further developed, so that children have even more opportunities to play on the grassed areas outdoors. Staff were observed interacting positively with older children and evidence from children's

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who attend

learning files, suggests that the prime areas of learning are covered for children in the early years age range. For example, there is photographic evidence of the staff interacting with children, using a range of resources and activities, which are suitable for early years children. Staff explain how they had supported the younger children to participate in a community project, to help keep the local pathway clean. For example, 'Clean up after your dog' and 'Don't drop litter' posters created by children, demonstrated their involvement and progress throughout the project.

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who attend

Staff help children to learn about a range of cultures and to talk about special events in their own experiences. For example, children are learning about Judaism in partnership with the school and celebrating Hanukah. The club also works hard in challenging stereotypes, through discussion and a 'people who help us' focus. Evidence of children's involvement in these areas, is through discussions with staff and drawings and writing from the children, displayed within the learning environment.

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who attend

There were no early years children present at the time of the inspection to confirm that the staff provide good support for children's learning through play. This has an impact on the inspection judgement for this area of the report.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Staff were observed as good role models for older children and working well as team to ensure children's safety and well-being is promoted at all times. For example, staff help children to understand how to keep themselves safe and offer children gentle reminders as they play. Each child is assigned a key person, who liaises with parents to ensure their child's needs are met. Discussions with staff and documents available during this inspection show how staff help to prepare young children for school. For example, parents and school contribute towards children's learning through effective information systems, which ensures consistency and continuity for children.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Staff were observed sitting with older children, who enjoyed the experience of eating their food together as they discussed their day. However, the staff prepare and serve the snack and pour drinks when children are sat at the tables. Consequently, practical routines are not always used to promote children's self-help skills. In addition, there was no discussion about healthy foods, to reinforce messages to help children understand about healthy choices. Staffs' strong focus on promoting children's personal, social and emotional development, gives them the skills and confidence to continue making progress. Access to the outdoor area ensures children have space to run around in the fresh air and join in games with their friends after their day at school.

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provision

Leadership and management is good because the manager demonstrates a strong commitment to improving the out of school club. The manager and staff are enthusiastic and nurturing, which benefits all of the children in their care. Discussions with staff, demonstrates that they understand their responsibility by providing good care and a range of activities that complement the children's school day. The manager works alongside her staff, gaining knowledge of what is working well and identifies areas for improvement. As a result, planning is targeted towards meeting individual children's needs and interests in the club. The manager monitors the provision during regular meetings with her team and ensures that training needs for staff are met.

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provision

All previous actions have been implemented well. For example, information as to who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child is obtained from parents in advance of a child being admitted to the club. Staff ensure that the daily record of names and hours of attendance is recorded and staff records are easily accessible and available. Staff have also implemented well the recommendation to further promote equality of opportunity of positive images and challenge children's thinking, by celebrating cultures other than their own and learning about people, who help us.

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provision

Discussions with the staff demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of supporting children's care and education. They have an accurate knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures and know what to do should they have a concern about a child in their care. Robust recruitment procedures ensure staff are suitable to work with children. As a result, children are effectively safeguarded. Policies and procedures are well written and organised. Parents spoken to on the day were very happy with the club, describing the staff as 'fantastic and very welcoming' and that their children 'love coming to the club and see it as a home from home'.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY415633 Local authority Warrington Inspection number 913449

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Type of provision

Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 55 Name of provider Funky Friends Link Club Limited Date of previous inspection 29/06/2011 Telephone number 07920 460 757

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Type of provision

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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