Highworth After School Club

Highworth After School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Highworth After School Club

Unique Reference Number EY260495 Inspection date 09 August 2005 Inspector Clare Louise Perry

p.1

Highworth After School Club

Setting Address Highworth Combined School, Highworth Close, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP13 7PH Telephone number 07855 198594 E-mail ruth.gunstone@bcuc.ac.uk Registered person HighWorth After School Club Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

p.1

Highworth After School Club

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?

Highworth After School Club registered in 2003. It is a voluntary committee run club, which operates from the Scout Hall within the grounds of Highworth County Combined School, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The premises comprise of a hall, kitchen, toilets and an upstairs storage area. Outside the club has access to the school playing field, playground, orchard and adventure play area. The club serves a mixed local community and children who attend the breakfast and after school clubs attend Highworth School. The holiday club is available to all children from the local community. There are currently 105 children on roll.

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 The club offers before and after school care, and holiday care. During term time it is open 5 days a week from 08.00 to 09.00 and from 15.20 to 17.30. During school holidays the club is open 5 days a week from 08.30 to 17.30. Five staff work with the children, one holds an early years qualification and one is currently undertaking training and it is intended that other staff will seek training. Staff do hold qualifications in food hygiene and first aid.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because they understand good health and hygiene practices; they use the toilets independently and wash their hands; they also wash their hands before lunch and understand why they must have cuts cleaned and covered after accidents. However, parental consents for emergency medication are not always in place to safeguard children’s welfare. Children play in a clean and suitable environment; they access clean toys and equipment. They enjoy physical activities for a good part of the day; they run, skateboard, climb, balance, ride, throw, catch and play as a group with the parachute. Children learn about healthy living through discussions about eating a good healthy diet and undertaking lots of physical exercise, with plenty of fresh air. Children rest according to their needs; some of the older children decide they are tired and need to rest so they lay down quietly on rugs in the shade.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children independently access fresh drinking water and healthy snacks from a table in the main hall and an outside drinking fountain. They enjoy a good variety of healthy fruit and vegetables as snacks for example banana, orange, apple, carrot and cucumber. At lunchtime children choose to eat their packed lunches outside either on benches or on rugs under the trees, they socialise with their friends talking openly to one another about what they have got to eat, and their likes and dislikes.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay safe in a welcoming, well-maintained environment. They arrive happily and confidently choose from the range of activities available. Children access large indoor and outdoor play spaces. They move around freely and make independent choices between the areas designated inside for different types of activities, for example for relaxation or quiet play, large ball games, snooker, floor games and creativity. Outside children enjoy the huge space of a playing field, playground, wooden fixed adventure play equipment and the orchard. These areas are used effectively to allow children lots of physical activity, with areas to relax and play quietly. Children use suitable and safe equipment; the large outdoor equipment is

p.3

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 secured to the ground and has a safety bark surround.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe They put on elbow and knee pads when they are riding bikes and using the skateboard, they know where they are and are not allowed to go and that they must ask to go inside or to the drinking fountain. Children are aware that they must prop their bikes up against the fence when not in use so that others do not trip over them. Children remain safe as good security procedures are in place; staff count numbers of children regularly and a named person signs out children at the end of each session. However, on occasions the two exit gates remain open, compromising children’s safety. Children are protected because staff understand their role in the protection of children, although the clubs policy does not refer to Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures nor does it include procedures to be followed for allegations against a member of staff.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are busy, happy and occupied. They access a range of planned, interesting activities and play opportunities, which are appropriate to their ages and interests. Children and parents are able to see the week’s activities on the notice board with details of the main activities for each day, for example cooking, marbling, decorating tiles, tie-dyeing, and graffiti panel. Children input into future planning, suggesting ideas and making requests. Children show interest in what they do; they all join in enthusiastically with the parachute, chatting excitedly and taking their turn. Children scream loudly and laugh as “sharks” pull them under the parachute and the “lifeguards” attempt to rescue them. Children react excitedly when they see the air ball, they run to the field to play with it; they enjoy chasing it up and down. Children really enjoy an activity with corn flour and water, they use lots of descriptive language to describe what they are

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

feeling and doing; cold, soft, liquidly, hard, stiff. They use their hands to manipulate it. Children confidently make independent choices, if they do not wish to join in with the parachute game, they sit and watch quietly. Some children choose to bring their own scooters and bikes from home to use on the playing fields; they are aware that if they bring them they must share and allow others to use them. Children make positive relationships; they know each other’s names and all appear to have a range of friends within the group. They play well together; a group take turns to be “it” and chase each other around the playground and big equipment. Children enjoy playing in small and large groups; two play together with the swing ball and a small group play in the sandpit. The children all gather in a circle to play some quiet group games, the rules are clearly explained. They all join in enthusiastically, taking

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

turns and participating. Younger children are helped and guided, by older children, to participate.

p.4

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

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children become aware of the wider world through discussions, books, photos and acknowledgement of special occasions. Children are aware of their needs and the needs of others; a child knows that she must put on sun cream after lunch so she collects it from inside and applies it; another child offers her hat to a member of staff so she can participate in a game and use it to cover her face. Children with a variety of special needs access the club and are included well. Parents and staff work well in partnership to ensure they meet these children’s individual needs; they share information regularly. Children feel a sense of belonging, as there is an attractive display of their artwork and photos of them enjoying themselves. Children generally behave well, they are aware of the simple club rules, which they helped to write; they adhere to them. Children are polite, have good manners, saying

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

please and thank you, and excuse me. They are encouraged to behave well; children receive certificates for particularly good behaviour. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement for their efforts, achievements and for behaving well; child guesses first time who has the keys and is praised warmly. Children confidently tell a member of staff if they cannot resolve their own disputes; a group are arguing over space in the sand tray so a member of staff gives support so they negotiate to share the space equally. The clubs behaviour management policy does not include procedures for dealing with bullying, which may affect children’s opportunities to make a positive contribution. Partnership with parents and carers is good. Parents receive a detailed information booklet about the club and regular verbal feedback on their child’s wellbeing. Children and parents are encouraged to provide feedback about the club, twice a

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

year, on a written form, allowing parents and children to contribute positively to the setting and make suggestions for improvements.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The club is generally well organised. Space is well used and children move around freely and confidently. Children are protected from unvetted persons and a named deputy is in place to ensure the club continues to operate effectively in the absence of the manager. Staff comply with all conditions of registration to ensure children are safeguarded and cared for within ratios. Policies, procedures and documentation are generally in place and work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. However they often lack detail, are disorganised and inconsistent. Daily records do not accurately record children’s attendance and do not include staff or visitors. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

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

p.5

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): • ensure written parental consent is obtained to administer emergency medication to children • ensure that the child protection procedures comply with those of the Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) and includes procedures to be followed in the event of allegations being made against a member of staff • ensure that the behaviour policy includes information about procedures to be followed in the event of bullying • ensure an accurate record of children, staff and visitor attendance is maintained at all times.

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