An OFSTED Guide for Parents and Carers

Ouch Pouch Childcare Limited is registered as childcare provider with ‘OFSTED’ and work under the guidance of the ‘National Standards for Out-of-School Care’. Our staff to child ratio is 1 to 8 for children under 8 years of age. Additional staff members will be involved in more demanding activities and outings. Each session will be staffed by either a combination of either the DIRECTOR, MANAGER and/or PLAYWORKERS to meet the correct ratio’s of care and that covers all legislation. We actively encourage volunteers and students within the club, who will be seen as extra to the staff ratio’s and are never left in a position of responsibility.

We are inspected by OFSTED. As a Childcare Provider, we are never aware of the day or time the inspector will carry out our inspection and will come 'unannounced'.

In our recent ‘OfSTED inspection’ (August 2011) our OfSTED Inspector quotes:

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision and the Overall the quality of the provision is ‘Good’.

'The management and staff team successfully promote all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework requirements within the suitable and inclusive environment. Children are making good progress in their learning and development. The management and staff team meet children's individual needs by the good quality provision they provide. Effective partnership with parents and good working partnerships with other providers and professionals promotes an integrated, positive approach to children's care and learning. Good improvements have been made since the last inspection and the setting's appropriate system of self-evaluation is continuing to move the setting forward.'

'Children are happy and settled in the setting and they clearly relate well to the kind, caring and knowledgeable staff team. Effective practices and procedures are in place to safeguard children. For example, recruitment, vetting and induction procedures help to ensure the suitability of the staff and safeguarding policies are followed. The setting is securely maintained, with potential hazards identified and minimised through risk assessment procedures and a secure building. All staff are well-qualified and they continue to develop their knowledge through their commitment to on-going training and development which is recorded on the staff training plan. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming play space which is interesting and motivates children to learn and develop.'

'Leadership and management are strong. All records and documents are in place and are informative. Staff gain clear information from parents and carers, which enable children to make good progress from their specific starting points. It also motivates staff to value each child in line with their individual needs. Partnership working with parents and carers is good and staff nurture purposeful relationships with parents. Information is continually exchanged and shared through the settings clear communication channels but in a confidential and professional manner. Effective systems are in place to keep parents up-to-date with their children's progress. However, robust systems are not fully developed to ensure parents are actively involved in their children's learning. Children also benefit because the setting liaises with external agencies or services. The staff team work with a range of other agencies and professionals, in order to meet the individual needs of children and families as the close links they have developed with the school. All staff have a good knowledge of the local area and how to access specific support actively contributing to building good relationships. They take children on regular trips in the local area and to places of interest, such as, Grimsby town hall, Cleethorpes life boat centre, Waltham Windmill, Weelsby Woods and Quantock Park. All staff work as a strong team to ensure support and a smooth transition for all children.'

'The staff and management are committed to developing the service they provide and they work with Local Authority advisors to make improvements where necessary. Improvements have been made since the last inspection, which have enhanced care and learning experiences for children. The setting uses an effective system of self-evaluation, which is constantly being updated to reflect current practice in the setting to ensure children benefit from improved practice in all areas. The early years staff have a strong understanding of the learning and development requirements. They observe the children's individual learning and record their development in their assessment records. Observations are recorded for all areas of learning and next steps are identified observations. Staff utilise the information they have obtained from concise observations to challenge and extend children's learning as they play.'

'Children are cared for in a safe, secure, well-maintained environment. However, there is not a well-organised area for children who wish to relax, play quietly or sleep, equipped with appropriate furniture. Good health & hygiene policies and procedures are in place to minimise the risk of cross infection. Children benefit from a healthy diet, as both children and staff prepare nutritious and well-balanced snacks. Fresh drinking water is freely accessible to children and systems are in place to ensure each child's specific dietary requirements are met. Children access outside play daily to fully promote their health and well-being. Children have varied and stimulating opportunities to access a good range of play a material outdoors, which fully promotes their learning. Children's awareness of safety issues is also well promoted through discussions, activities and regular events. Children are also encouraged to take calculated risks with staff re-enforcing the possible dangers to help children to become aware of these and assess the situation for themselves. For example, when helping to prepare food using utensils, staff support children but whilst encouraging their play.'

'Children are making good progress in their learning and development. Planning, observation and assessment systems provide a range of adult-led and child-initiated play experiences for children. All children are making good progress in their literacy skills. Children are developing their speaking and listening skills well and are supported by their key workers. Children develop their emergent writing with a variety of resources and discuss what is meaningful. Children have access to a table set up for making marks which has notebooks, pads, paper and a range of media to encourage their writing skills. They interact enthusiastically, pointing to pictures as the key worker reads stories throughout the day. All children have good opportunities to develop physically. They energetically use sports equipment and use the games console for fitness and dance in which they are very skilled. Children develop problem solving, numeracy and reasoning skills well. They become aware that numbers are sequential as they listen to number rhymes and count a variety of resources through their play. Children align puzzles, and measure ingredients when baking and cooking. They build with construction equipment and they are becoming increasingly confident to play board games. Themes and topics are chosen to develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world around them including others cultures and beliefs when taking part in India week and growing and tending to plants in the garden area. All children are encouraged to access all toys and resources regardless of their gender. Children have good opportunities to develop their creative skills. They know their colours and create ambitious masks and have opportunities to use a variety of natural materials to make collage pictures. Children thoroughly enjoy using the computer and develop skills in all areas of learning whilst having fun.

'Children's behaviour is good, with staff using appropriate strategies to manage behaviour. Staff act as good role models and are consistent in following the behaviour management policy and the solving problems and resolving conflicts are encouraged. All of this encourages children to be motivated to learn and develop their skills’. (OfSTED, August 2011)

Full copies are available to download from: ofsted.gov.uk and by simply going to 'Inspection Reports' and enter our contact details. You can view our latest and archive reports.