Casa Clubs - St Augustines

Casa Clubs - St Augustine's

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Casa Clubs - St Augustine's

Unique Reference Number EY313828 Inspection date 10 July 2006 Inspector Deborah Jaqueline Newbury

p.1

Casa Clubs - St Augustine's

Setting Address St. Augustine RC Primary School, Tomlinscote Way, Frimley, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 8PY Telephone number 01252 727000

p.1

E-mail

Registered person Casa Clubs 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Casa Club opened in 2006 and operates from St. Augustine's Primary School in Camberley, Surrey. It is one of three privately owned clubs offering after school care. The club serves families of children who attend St. Augustine's. Children have access to the school hall and an adjacent room which is used for snack-time. There are suitable toilet facilities on site and children have use of the enclosed school grounds. The club operates Monday to Friday during school term-time only, from 15:15 to 18:00.

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 A maximum of 32 children may attend the club at any one time. There are currently 20 children aged from four to ten years on roll. The club can support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and can also support children who speak English as an additional language. There are currently two permanent members of staff working with the children, both of whom are suitably qualified. A sports coach works alongside staff on two days a week, to take children for specific activities. The setting receives support from the Early Years partnership.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The club meets in clean, well-maintained premises, although the temperature within the school hall is not always comfortable in hot weather because windows remain closed. Children stay healthy because staff implement satisfactory procedures to ensure good hygiene and to minimise the potential for the spread of infection. For instance, they wear gloves and aprons when preparing food and parents are informed of the club's sick child policy. Children wash their hands before their first snack. However, they are not encouraged to do this before the second snack break to ensure a fully consistent approach and make sure children do not receive mixed messages, despite the fact that they have been playing outside. Children are provided with a varied range of food items over the course of a week. Fruit, salad items and raw vegetables are offered daily to promote healthy eating. On

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

occasions, staff provide such items as hot dogs as a treat to cater for children's preferences for favourite fast foods. Children have regular drinks which means that they do not go thirsty or become dehydrated. Snack-times are sociable. Children chat happily amongst themselves, for example about their school day; staff show interest in what they are saying, which adds to their sense of belonging. However, children's independence at snack-time is not effectively promoted as staff prepare and serve all food and drinks. Children are not encouraged to help themselves to drinks and do not take part in everyday activities such as helping to lay the table or serving their own food, to develop confidence and enable them to take responsibility and play an active role within the setting. Children have good opportunities for physical play and to be active, both inside and outdoors, which benefits their overall good health. Staff organise one area of the hall

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

for indoor games. Children enjoy playing tennis and football, using soft balls so no-one is likely to get hurt. Children are eager to go outside, and most participate enthusiastically in challenges for the 'Casa Book of Records.' They take it in turns, individually or in small groups, to see who can run the fastest around the school playing field and who can shoot the highest number of goals through a net. There is a mat and cushion available should children wish to sit and rest although currently, there is no clearly defined comfy area for relaxation.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

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.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have ample space to move around and play. The school hall is arranged well to enable different types of activity to take place at the same time, whilst ensuring the safety of everyone. Staff undertake risk assessments and conduct a daily safety check of the premises before children arrive to identify and minimise any potential dangers and thus, ensure children are safe. There are suitable security procedures in place although the supervisor has identified the need to develop these further to ensure greater consistency with regard to the collection of children. Children develop awareness of emergency procedures, such as fire drills, through first hand experience as they regularly practise these. They are supervised carefully by staff. Children have access to age-appropriate resources that are checked regularly to ensure that they are safe to use. Children are protected from harm as staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child abuse and neglect and the procedure to follow if they have any concerns. All staff working at the club have recently attended child protection training to develop further their knowledge and understanding.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. There is an informal and generally relaxed atmosphere within the club, with lively children who are comfortable and at ease, both within their surroundings and with their carers. They settle quickly on arrival and become involved in the activities available, making their own decisions about what they do. Some children enjoy being active and spend their time playing tennis and football, whilst others opt for more relaxing activities, such as colouring or creating pictures using 'hamma' beads. Children have access to a satisfactory range of age-appropriate play materials. Staff arrange some resources on a table whilst others remain in boxes on the floor. Children go outside as a whole group to ensure that appropriate adult to child ratios are maintained. Whilst most children do enjoy outdoor play, some do not want to join in. Staff do not always take out other resources to ensure that all children can involve

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

themselves in purposeful play. Theme days are a regular feature of the club and specific activities are planned for some days of the week. For instance, children have the opportunity to participate in outside sports on a Tuesday or to learn fencing on a Thursday when a sports coach assists at the club. Wednesday is 'knitting day' where all children are able to learn how to knit if they wish. This approach means that children are able to look forward to their time at the club; they know what will happen on certain days and enables them to learn new skills or develop existing ones.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children have equal access to all activities within the group. However, currently there are few resources available that reflect positive images of diversity to help children develop awareness of the wider world in which we live. This area that has been identified for development. Staff seek relevant information from parents about children, for instance, their dietary requirements and medical conditions, to ensure that they are aware of everything they need to know to meet their individual needs. Children's views about the club are sought, via the completion of questionnaires, and thus, they are able to feel involved and consulted. Staff and children interact naturally and relationships are friendly. Children are self-assured and have the confidence to approach staff to express their needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave generally well, and respond to the calm and gentle manner of staff. Their involvement in developing rules for the club encourages them to follow these and take responsibility for their behaviour. Staff's use of praise fosters children's self-esteem and confidence. Parents have access to relevant information about the club. For instance, they receive a comprehensive booklet which includes headline statements relating to policies and procedures. Full policies are available upon request although they are not independently accessible to them. This means that parents may not have access to everything they wish to know, for instance, the club's written complaints procedure. The menu and activity plan for the week is displayed on the club's notice board although this is not always up to date. There is an informal exchange of information on a daily basis about children. Parents are happy with the quality of care provided.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

They feel that their children are happy and some comment that their children are sometimes reluctant to go home.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and secure. They benefit from a relaxed, informal environment and staff who have a friendly approach. Staff work together co-operatively; they are aware of their role and responsibilities and thus, sessions flow well. They display a positive attitude towards professional development by taking advantage of training opportunities. There are appropriate procedures in place to ensure that staff working with children are suitable to do so. The club has now been open for approximately six months and is becoming established. Practice is evolving through a reflective approach. Regulatory documentation and other records that promote the health, safety and welfare of children are in place and stored securely. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

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.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since registration. 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.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • provide more opportunities for children to access resources and activities on a regular basis that reflect different aspects of diversity and positive images to help develop their awareness of the wider world in which we live • improve existing arrangements for ensuring good hygiene at all times by ensuring greater consistency with regard to hand-washing and investigate ways of encouraging children to be more independent at snack time • consider ways of ensuring children have access to a variety of resources and activities when they are outside, to provide an alternative to active, vigorous play • investigate ways of making the club's full policies and procedures more easily accessible to parents and carers, in particular the complaints procedure.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

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

p.6

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