Swallow Risers Playgroup and Out Of School Club

Swallow Risers Playgroup and Out Of School Club Maudene School, Swallow Rise, Chatham, Kent, ME5 7QB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 07/02/2014 19/01/2012

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early years provision

This inspection: 4 Previous inspection: 2 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 4 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The safeguarding policy has not been reviewed to include the use of mobile phones, and accidents and injuries are not always clearly recorded to help keep parents fully informed.  The management does not maintain accurate records and all the required documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting is not accessible and available.  Children's health and welfare is compromised at times, as staff do not always follow all the policies and procedures of the playgroup. This includes poor behaviour management, at times.  The play environment is not well organised and at times inhibits children's ability to move around safely.  The management do not fully support staff to develop their knowledge and understanding through planned supervision and the key person system is not fully embedded into the playgroup's practice to enhance children's care and learning effectively.  Assessment systems are not sufficient to ensure that staff accurately observe children

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This provision is inadequate

and consistently plan for children's individual needs. Staff do not provide a varied and stimulating indoor environment to extend children's learning experiences.  Staff do not organise daily routines to take into account the needs of all children, and ensure the children have opportunities for uninterrupted play indoors and outside.

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It has the following strengths

 Children are cared for by kind and caring staff, who welcome parents and children.

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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 met with the manager and a member of the committee.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's records, safeguarding procedures and risk assessments.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's play and staff interactions with children in the main room and outside play area.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day.

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Information about the setting

Swallow Risers Playgroup and Out Of School Club is run by a voluntary committee. It registered in 1993 and serves the local community. The group operates from a mobile building in Chatham, Kent. There is a large enclosed outdoor play area. The playgroup is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3.20pm. The out of school club opens from 3.30pm to 6pm. Both operate term time only. The group is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 58 children aged from two to under five years on roll. The playgroup is in receipt of funding for free early education to children aged two, three and four. The playgroup supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The group employs 11 members of staff; most hold appropriate early years qualifications at National Vocational Qualification level 2 or above. The playgroup receives support from the local

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Information about the setting

authority and is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

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must:

 update the safeguarding policy and procedures to cover the use of mobile phones and cameras in the playgroup

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must:

 ensure staff fully understand and implement policies and procedures, including the procedures for nappy changing and behaviour management

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must:

 ensure that any complaints from parents are investigated thoroughly and the outcome of the investigation is shared with parents promptly and no later than 28 days after receipt of the initial complaint

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must:

 ensure that records to demonstrate all staff's qualifications as part of their suitability to work with children are accessible and available for inspection

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must:

 ensure the key person system is fully embedded in the routines and procedures of the playgroup to help ensure that every child's care and learning, including their personal care routines, are tailored to meet their individual needs

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must:

 carry out regular supervision of staff to identify any training needs to ensure all staff are able to extend children's learning and development

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must:

 put in place accurate and informative assessments, which are based on secure observations and the key person's knowledge of their children's individual learning needs

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must:

 plan and provide routines, activities, learning opportunities and an environment that is appropriate for all, especially the younger children; and review snack time to ensure it is a positive experience for all children

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must:

 consider the individual needs, interests and stages of learning and development for each child to plan enjoyable, challenging and interesting experiences and activities

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must:

 improve children's learning experiences through the provision of open-ended and natural resources, as well as ensuring that children have uninterrupted and consistent opportunities for play, both indoors and outside.

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who attend

Daily routines are fixed and do not accommodate the needs of the children attending. Children who are focused on outside play, interacting with friends and staff, are stopped and interrupted to fit in with the playgroup's established routine. Children are denied opportunities to explore the outside environment for the rest of their session. This leads to children who were motivated to learn in the outside environment becoming disinterested in their environment and demonstrating unwanted behaviour. This is made worse as the range of available resources and activities inside are generally uninspiring and basic. This means children's learning and development are not suitably promoted to provide appropriate challenge and interest. Consequently, children are not making as much progress as they could. The staff do aim to cover all areas of learning; however, they demonstrate a poor understanding of the learning and development requirements of the

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who attend

Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, resulting in weak practice.

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who attend

The staff interact with the children and encourage them to talk about what they are doing and what they wish to do next. The self-storage units make it easy for the children to access the available resources independently; therefore, children are able to make some decisions about their play. Staff carry out basic observations on the children; these are collated in the children's learning journeys. Parents are encouraged to look at their child's learning journey regularly and add information. However, the assessments carried out on the children are not always sufficiently detailed enough to inform planning. Therefore, the planning that is in place is not adequate or based on the children's emerging interests or individual learning and development. Staff do carry out basic progress checks for two- year-old children through to the end of the foundation stage.

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who attend

The staff have developed positive relationships with parents, who are encouraged to join in activities and attend events happening at the playgroup. All parents spoken to were very pleased with the support and information they receive from the staff.

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

Staff provide a warm and friendly atmosphere in the playgroup. The children benefit from being able to play outside briefly, in an appropriately resourced and secure outdoor play area. They socialise with friends as they ride bikes, share and take turns. The children have opportunities to practise climbing on the large climbing frame, as well as on tyres and trees. The garden area is used to grow fruit and vegetables; this enables the children to learn about healthy eating and explore a natural environment. The numbers painted on the ground offer the children an opportunity to see symbols as well as practising counting as they jump around. The children are beginning to learn about shapes and patterns by exploring writing in the sand, and also by talking to staff about the pictures they have drawn. The playhouses and wigwam enable the children to have a role-play area outside, as well as a place to sit and chatter with friends. Unfortunately, the outside environment is

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

not fully utilised as the children only have access for a short period while at the playgroup.

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

At snack time the children all sit down together. The children wait for staff to serve them their snack then wait again to be helped to pour their own drinks. This is a noisy and disorganised time, where children become restless waiting around. Younger children wander off, while other children become withdrawn or boisterous. This is not a positive experience for any of the children. However, the staff do provide the children with a healthy snack and offer them water throughout the day. Lunchtime is less disorderly as there are fewer children sitting down to eat their packed lunch, which is provided by parents. Lunch boxes are appropriately stored, and staff advise parents what not to put in their children's lunch. Staff are aware of any allergies children have and they have received training in how to administer the adrenaline pen.

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

Children use the toilets independently; they are aware of the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children in nappies are not changed regularly, resulting in some children going home wearing wet nappies. Staff do not follow the correct procedures when changing nappies as stated in the playgroup's policies. The key person system is in place; however it is not fully embedded in the children's daily routines. These weaknesses mean that not every child's care is tailored to meet their individual needs.

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

The organisation of the environment at times impacts on children's safety. In particular when children empty large quantities of toys over the floor it limits children's safe movement. Children walk over the toys and staff fail to help children to learn to maintain a safe play environment and look after resources.

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provision

This inspection was brought forward as a result of information received by Ofsted relating to an incident when a child was injured. This raised concerns regarding child supervision, risk assessments, accidents and incidents, and the complaints procedures. An unannounced inspection was carried out and it found that the playgroup is not meeting all the legal requirements. As a result, practice is inadequate. The inspector observed that the staff were being deployed appropriately during the session to supervise children. However, evidence gathered at the inspection found that management do not carry out robust risk assessments on all areas the children come into contact with. Staff are not always sufficiently vigilant when managing children's behaviour to ensure that they are not able to access equipment, such as radiators, which is not designed for play. This lack of vigilance resulted in the incident that led to a child sustaining an injury. The inspection

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provision

also found that management do not ensure staff fully understand and carry out their roles and responsibilities in relation to accurately completing required documentation. They do not always complete accident reports and ensure parents are fully informed. Action has been taken by the provider to make sure that staff do this. In addition, the inspection found that complaints are recorded and dealt with appropriately through the playgroup's complaints process, although not always within the required timescales. As a result of the inspection findings, the provider is required to take further action relating to these aspects of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The provider is also required to take action relating to the associated requirements of the Childcare Register.

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provision

Not all required documentation was available at inspection to check all staff qualifications and therefore the suitability of staff to work with children. In addition, staff supervision arrangements are not sufficiently robust, management do not ensure that all staff receive the support and training required to make sure they meet requirements and effectively promote the safety, welfare and well-being of the children. Furthermore, the management have not updated their safeguarding policy to take into account the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting. Nappy changing is not appropriately carried out, with children being left in wet nappies, as well as staff not fully complying with the policies and procedures of the playgroup. Consequently, children's safety is compromised.

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provision

The manager has undertaken designated person child protection training. The other staff have some understanding of their roles and responsibilities in protecting children, as well as the reporting procedures to follow. Staff generally maintain a secure environment for the children, for example, by asking visitors for identification and requiring them to sign in and out of the building. Fire drills are regularly practised to help children learn to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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provision

The manager recognises that some areas of practice are not effective and is working to make some improvements. She is using the action plans from the local authority visits to identify how to make the environment suitable for two-year-olds. She attends required training events, as well as encouraging staff to also improve their practice by attending both external and in-house training. Staff also liaise with other professionals and the local authority to support children with additional needs.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

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actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

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To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

 inform the parent who made the complaint (in writing or by email if the parent requests this) of the outcome of the complaint, within 28 days of the date the complaint was made (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  inform the parent who made the complaint (in writing or by email if the parent requests this) of the outcome of the complaint, within 28 days of the date the complaint was made (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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 103855 Local authority Medway Towns Inspection number 951155 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 58 Name of provider Swallow Risers Playgroup And Out Of School Club Committee Date of previous inspection 19/01/2012 Telephone number 01634 671450

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Setting details

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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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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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