Beechwood Childcare Limited

& After School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

& After School

Unique Reference Number 250006 Inspection date 11 July 2006 Inspector Diane Ashplant

p.1

& After School

Setting Address Velsheda Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 2JW

p.1

E-mail

Registered person Beechwood Childcare Limited Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Burman Before and After School Club is part of the Beechwood Childcare organisation and was registered in 1994. The club takes place in a classroom at Burman Infant school in Shirley and is open to children who attend the school as well as those transported from Haslucks Green Junior school in the afternoon. The children have use of the school playground for outdoor play. The club is registered to care for a maximum of 26 children at any one time and there are currently 52 on roll of which 40 are under eight years of age. Children from three to 11 years attend. The club opens every week day during term time from 0.800

p.2

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 hours until school begins, and from 15.30 until 18.00 hours. There are five members of staff who work at the group of which two hold appropriate childcare qualifications and three are working towards one.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy regular outdoor play where they share in games such as football and skipping which gives them opportunities to exercise and develop skills to maintain healthy bodies. There are clear routines which staff carry out regularly to maintain good standards of hygiene and cleanliness such as table top cleaning. Children are learning to protect their own health as they practise regular hygiene routines such as hand washing before meals and have easy access to hand washing facilities. Children's health is safeguarded in the event of an accident or illness through the current first aid knowledge of most of the staff and the effective procedures for recording accidents and medication. Children enjoy regular healthy snacks as they sample different fresh fruit and vegetables and have easy access to drinks including water. Staff are aware of the importance of regular fluids to keep children hydrated, especially when playing

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

outside in the hot sun. Snack times are good social occasions where children relax and chat to each other and to the staff. All individual dietary needs are recorded and suitably addressed.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have use of a large classroom which is well organised and decorated with children's work to provide a welcoming and inviting environment. This means children recognise this as their own space, enter enthusiastically and settle in well. Staff are aware of any potential risks to children's safety and have clear procedures in place, for example for taking them to the toilet which is some distance away. Children are taking responsibility for their own safety as they can choose to go in or outside to play and the older ones bring themselves independently to the club. Children are kept safe in the event of a fire through clear procedures and regular practices. Children have access to a selection of resources which are well maintained and chosen with regard to their age-appropriateness and suitability. Children's safety is safeguarded by the staff's clear understanding of their

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

responsibilities as regards to child protection. Parents are also made aware of this through the necessary documentation.

p.3

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 The provision is good. Children enter happily into the club which is welcoming and attractively decorated with many examples of their creative work. They are able to choose from a selection of resources which are set out to invite their participation and where the daily programme is organised to offer a wide selection to meet the needs of different ages. Staff carefully plan an interesting range of craft activities to engage the children's interest which sometimes links to current events or celebrations such as the world cup or holidays. Children freely select activities of their choice inside or play happily outside with physical games or imaginative play. Staff have successfully created a club where children can relax and enjoy their time after school. Staff respond well to

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

them as they enter comfortably into conversation and engage in the activities with them. Consequently, children get on well with each other and spend their time here happily occupied, either together in groups or independently.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle happily into the club which is welcoming and inviting. Staff know children well which helps create a comfortable environment where children choose how they spend their time and where there is a lot of relaxed conversation. Children have use of a balanced range of resources including some which reflect positive images of the wider world. Although there are no children with special needs currently at the group some staff have experience in this area and demonstrate a clear knowledge of how to ensure all children are appropriately supported and included within the club. Children's behaviour is generally good and the incorporation of older children arriving from another school works well as staff are responsive to their different needs. Partnership with parents and carers works well and staff are approachable and friendly. This enables easy discussion about how the day has gone. Parents are also

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

kept informed about the daily running of the club through the written information they receive at registration and that displayed on the notice board.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are part of a well established club which is organised to provide a varied choice of activities and equipment to keep them interested and engaged. Space and resources successfully involve children of different ages and schools as staff are aware of their range of interests and capabilities. Staff work together as a team and interact well with the children. There are clear procedures in place for recruitment and selection of staff and all staff have an annual appraisal and are encouraged to undertake training to help their professional development. However, although the manager is very experienced in working with the children and familiar with the school and the club she does not yet hold an appropriate qualification. All paperwork and documentation for the efficient running of the group is in place,

p.4

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 up-to-date and stored confidentially as necessary. Staff are generally aware of the club's operational procedures, although not all staff are fully conversant with the complaints procedure and the action to take in the event of a child not being collected. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were set around the displaying of documentation such as the fire procedures, the reviewing of records for parental consents, the provision of more healthy snacks and the selection of toys reflecting diversity. All documentation is in place and displayed as appropriate. There is a selection of toys reflecting diversity so that children learn about the wider world and they regularly enjoy a variety of healthy snacks.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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

p.5

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): • ensure there is an appropriately qualified manager in place • ensure all staff are fully aware of the club's procedures with regard to the handling of complaints made by parents and action taken in the event of a child being uncollected.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

p.5

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 concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

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

p.6