St Bridget's Kids Club

After School Club)

Inspection report for early years provision

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After School Club)

Unique Reference Number 317449 Inspection date 21 March 2006 Inspector Stephen Andrew Blake

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After School Club)

Setting Address St.Bridget's School, Brigham, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0TU Telephone number 01946 839 830

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E-mail

Registered person St. Bridget's Kids Club Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day care, Out of School care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

St. Bridget's Kids Club (Acorns and After School Club) was established in 1997 and occupy premises within St. Bridget's C of E Primary School in the village of Brigham, approximately three miles from Cockermouth. The Club serves children attending the school and children from the immediate and extended rural areas. St. Bridget's Kids Club (Acorns and After School Club) is registered to provide full day care to a maximum of 39 children. A maximum of 15 children aged from 3-5 years old may attend the Acorns Club in the nursery room. A maximum of 24 children aged from 5 to under 8 years old may attend the After School Club. Children over 8

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 years old may also attend the After School Club but the presence of these children must count within the overall number. Children attending the Acorns Club have access to the nursery room, the main school hall, the secure outdoor area and toilets. Children attending the After School Club have access to the main school hall, class 2, school toilets and the main school playground as far as class 2. There are 35 children on roll. There are no children in receipt of grant funded Nursery Education. St. Bridget's Kids Club (Acorns and After School Club) accommodates children with special needs and there are no children for whom English is an additional language. St. Bridget's Kids Club (Acorns and After School Club) employ a total of six staff. Staff hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because staff implement written procedures effectively, for example, when preparing tables for snacks, encouraging children to wash their hands and in providing a clean and well maintained environment. Staff model good health and hygiene practices and children are applying these naturally in their daily routine. Children stay healthy because staff implement generally effective systems to ensure the medical needs of all children are met. The systems for recording accidents and the administration of medication are good but the first aid kit contains some out of date items. Children enjoy a good range of age appropriate and well planned indoor and outdoor activities to promote their good health. For example, children attending the Acorns Club use the outdoor area and those attending the After School Club crawl through tunnels in the school hall. All children enjoy opportunities that challenge their fine

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Helping children to be healthy

motor skills, for example, when painting, ‘hanging out the washing’, baking and carefully using scissor to cut around objects. Children’s individual dietary needs are effectively monitored by staff. Children bring their own lunch to the Acorns Club and staff provide balanced snacks at other times. Children understand their bodily needs and eat and drink when hungry or thirsty. They understand the importance of healthy eating because explain the importance of healthy eating to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well planned, secure and spacious environment where

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 risks are generally identified and minimised, for example, through regular and well documented risk assessments. Children have opportunities to participate in a range of activities because staff plan these and make resources accessible. This includes planned opportunities for children to rest in areas away from those who wish to be active. Through careful selection of resources and effective planning of activities, staff have achieved a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This means that children can choose from a range of activities appropriate to their needs whilst moving around safely, freely and independently. Staff provide a range of good quality toys and equipment which meets safety standards. They carefully monitor children's choice of resources to ensure they are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children stay safe because staff have established generally effective written policies and procedures and implement these sensitively, for example, in behaviour management. Staff hold valid first aid certificates and there are good systems to ensure that the medical needs of all children are identified and met. Staff have a written child protection procedure but are uncertain of their role and responsibility if they suspect a child is being abused – this compromises children’s safety. Children have a very good relationship with the adults caring for them. They approach staff confidently for comfort and support when needed. Staff participate in children’s activities, for example, during outdoor play they respond warmly, offering advice, praise and encouragement. This helps children to feel secure and enables them to stay safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at St Bridget’s Kids Club (Acorns and After School Club). They achieve well because staff use their secure understanding of child development to provide good quality care and learning experiences. Staff have established a good learning environment and implement effective systems to monitor the impact of planned activities and resources to ensure all children enjoy and achieve. A flexible approach to planning and a good balance between adult and child-led activities allows children to learn at their own pace. Children are happy and eager to participate. They relate well to each other and socialise through a good range of opportunities provided by staff, for example, during meals and group activities. Children are able to select from a range of accessible resources or choose to rest because staff have planned the environment well. Close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

strong sense of self. Early communication skills are well supported through good quality adult-child interactions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children enjoy attending and play a full part because staff value and respect their individuality and this helps them to make a positive contribution. Children’s behaviour very is good. They are considerate and helpful towards each other and work well together, for example, when clearing away resources. Staff implement age appropriate and sensitive behaviour management strategies. Children have a good understanding of right and wrong as staff offer gentle reminders to care for each other and ask children to help them in their task. Children enjoy opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through planned activities. This develops children’s awareness of diversity and understanding of others. Staff have established written procedures for special needs and equal opportunities but these do not reflect recent staffing changes. This means that some staff are unclear about their roles and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

responsibilities in these areas. Staff have a very good partnership with parents. Parents find staff approachable, able to maintain confidentiality and are confident in the ability of staff to meet the individual needs of their child. Staff communicate effectively with parents and provide them with a good range of verbal and written information about the setting. Parents participate on the committee. This helps children to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s care is enhanced because staff are generally well organised and clear about their roles and responsibilities. All children are welcomed and at ease in the well organised and spacious environment. Indoor and outdoor resources are laid out to maximise play and learning opportunities for children. This enables them to initiate and extend their own play and experiences. All legally required documentation which contributes to children’s health, safety and well being are in place. Some policies and procedures are unclear regarding the current roles and responsibilities of staff. Policies and procedures are accessible to parents to keep them informed about the service and their child’s activities. The system for recording the presence of children in the After School Club is not robust. The system for exchanging information with parents is good. This contributes to the

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Organisation

continuity of children’s care. Planning systems are efficiently monitored to keep children safe, for example, the planning of activities, written risk assessments and appropriately maintained supervision ratios. Children benefit from qualified staff who are effectively supervised. Staff are committed to improvement and development through attendance at relevant childcare related training courses. Overall, the provision meets the needs of children who attend.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection staff were asked to produce an action plan to ensure that unvetted persons are never left alone with children, to ensure that Ofsted is notified of all persons who come into regular contact with children and to ensure that the premises and outdoor play areas are secure and children are unable to leave them unsupervised. The action plan must also ensure that the child protection records are kept according to the Area Child Protection Committee procedures and are available for inspection at all times. Since the last inspection staff have implemented a system to ensure that no unvetted adults are left alone with children. They have informed Ofsted of a new staff member and implemented written risk assessments of the premises to ensure that all areas are secure. Staff have also devised written child protection procedures in accordance with the Area Child Protection Committee procedures. These procedures are

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Improvements since the last inspection

available but need to be reviewed in order to make clear the roles and responsibility of key staff.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • review the system for registering children's attendance on a daily basis at the After School Club • review the written procedures for special needs, equal opportunities and child protection to ensure that the roles and responsibilities of staff are clear • ensure that appropriate training is provided to ensure staff remain updated regarding Local Safeguarding Children's Board child protection procedures.

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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