St Christopher's Academy

Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Club

Unique Reference Number 143490 Inspection date 14 July 2006 Inspector Michele, Karen Beasley

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Club

Setting Address Langstone School, Ascot Road, Copnor, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO3 6EY

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E-mail

Registered person LANGSTONE SCHOOL Type of inspection Childcare Type of 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Langstone Before and After School was registered in 2000. It is situated in Langstone School in Portsmouth. It is run by a voluntary management committee and serves the Infant and Junior schools. Children have use of the main school hall with kitchen facilities, toilets and an enclosed school playground. A maximum of 24 children may attend the club at any one time. The breakfast club is open from 08:00 to 08:50 and after school club is open from 15:15 to 17:30 five days a week during the school term. The club welcomes children with special needs and those who speak English as an

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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 additional language. There are five staff working with the children, three of which are qualified. All have experience working with young children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children gain an understanding of the importance of looking after their bodies as they talk about why they must wash their hands before sitting down for snacks. They help serve snacks and prepare their own sandwiches. They enjoy the social interaction of sitting at the snack table with staff and their peers. Children develop a very good understanding of healthy eating because this is promoted through the range of healthy options provided for them. For example, they have options such as vegetables, cold meats, crisps and a wide selection of fruits in the after school club. In the breakfast club they have toast and a choice of toppings and breakfast cereals. Children talk about the different types of foods they enjoy eating whilst making selections from crackers and a range of toppings such as cheese spread and honey. This promotes much discussion about diet and they talk about how different foods

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Helping children to be healthy

help the body to grow recognising the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet. They freely help themselves to squash and drinking water recognising when they become thirsty and developing their self care skills. Children's individual dietary requirements are fully met because staff have written information relating to these and ensure snacks offered reflect their individual needs and preferences. Children benefit enormously from opportunities to participate in daily physical activities both inside and outside of the club. They use the adjacent school grounds and participate enthusiastically in team games, such as football and skittles. Additional equipment, such as the large parachute, bats and balls, hoops and skipping ropes enable children to develop their physical skills and understanding of spatial awareness. Consequently, children recognise the benefits of participating in vigorous daily exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Children's health is

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Helping children to be healthy

well maintained because staff know and implement health and hygiene procedures. However, not all domestic appliances that are used to store food are kept clean. Consequently, this promotes the risk of cross infection from bacteria. Staff have appropriate first aid training and obtain written parental consent to administer medication and seek emergency medical treatment. This assures children's health in an emergency situation and contributes to ensuring they remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit because they move freely and safely around the inside and outside areas. The environment and good use of space enables children to be seen by staff at all times as well as allowing them the freedom to independently access the various areas within the building, including the toilets. Their safety is promoted because the leader is exceptionally vigilant to ensure risks and hazards are removed and

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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 minimized. They implement daily and ongoing risk assessments, both formally and informally to ensure risks are assessed and children's safety is paramount. Children have independent access to a good range of equipment and play provisions suitable for the ages of those attending. However, provision for older children is limited. Effective procedures are in place to ensure that all equipment and play resources are kept clean, safe and well maintained. Children learn how to keep themselves safe whilst at the club, for example they practise fire drills with staff. However, these need to be more frequent ensuring they know the procedure should emergency evacuation be necessary. Children talk about how to keep themselves safe in the sun recognising why they should not stay outside for long periods of time without the protection of sun cream

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and hats. They are well protected because staff know and understand their role with regards to protecting children in their care. They have a good understanding of child protection issues and know how to implement both club and local procedures should concerns be raised. Effective systems are in place to ensure the safe arrival and collection of children and detailed and accurate records are maintained on all children, staff and visitors to and from the club on a daily basis. Consequently, children are protected and safeguarded from harm as they freely play in a safe and secure environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and enjoy coming to the club. They spend time during the session sharing news about their day and talking about the activities available, which helps to strengthen relationships between staff and their peers. Children have good opportunities to contribute their own ideas to the planning of activities through a variety of ways. They talk about things they enjoy doing, helping staff to gain a secure knowledge of each child’s interests and suggest what they would like to do next which helps them to develop their sense of belonging. Staff use their knowledge of individual children and information gained from discussions and evaluations to plan a stimulating programme. Children are given opportunities in the provision to initiate their own learning, making their own decisions about what they play with. Staff’s interaction with children is extremely good as they talk to them about what

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they are doing and use questioning techniques encouraging children to think through their own ideas and solve their own problems. Children excitedly talk about how they are going to win a board game. Children clearly enjoy coming to the setting and benefit greatly from the relaxed and friendly environment where they establish and secure positive and trusting relationships and share responsibility for decisions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a real sense of belonging to the group, for example as they are involved in the planning of activities and make suggestions in a suggestion box to

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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 contribute ideas. They play very well together with their peers and their behaviour is good because they know what is expected of them and have contributed to the setting of the club rules. Children recognise the need to share and take turns and support one another learning to value each other’s needs and opinions. Staff manage children’s unwanted behaviour and praise and encourage positive behaviour, by way of a reward system helping to increase children’s confidence and self-esteem. All children are valued and included into the club, including those with special needs. Children gain a good understanding of diversity through planned practical activities linked to special dates and cultural festivals helping them to recognise and value differences and similarities between themselves and others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit because friendly informal relationships are established between staff and their parents. This helps to secure the links between home and the setting and ensures their individual needs are met. Parents receive information about the club through a variety of ways including a leaflet, regular newsletters and letters from management and informal discussion with staff when they collect their children from the club. This close partnership with parents enables them to feel a part of the group and share experiences.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit because the club is organised and staff work well as a team. Staff have a knowledge of the policies and procedures in the setting, which are currently being updated. Children's safety is ensured at all times as there is evidence on site around the suitability of staff and their qualifications. Staff have experience of working with young children and plan an exciting range of activities and experiences, making good use of time and resources. Effective communication takes place on an ongoing basis between staff, management and the school defining clear roles and responsibilities and enhancing children’s care. Effective systems are in place to recruit, appoint and induct new staff who have the relevant experience and qualifications, or are willing to undertake training, ensuring children are safe and well cared for whilst at the club. Systems are in place to monitor and evaluate staff

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Organisation

performance and development, including appraisals where individual development needs are identified. Priority from management is placed on monitoring and evaluating all aspects of the provision and clear objectives for improvement are identified and assessed. As a result, the setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the setting were asked to develop and implement an action plan that sets out how staff are organised and ratios are maintained at all times. They were also asked to develop and implement an action plan that sets out how supervisor of the breakfast club will achieve a level 3 qualification and devise and implement a policy about the care of children who are ill or infectious. An action plan has been implemented to ensure that staff are deployed effectively and ratios are maintained at all times. The supervisor of the breakfast club is qualified to level 3

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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 in child care and education. A written policy is in place for the care of children who are ill or infectious. The setting were asked to devise and implement an action plan for the induction of new staff members. And to ensure that policies are available for parents' information and include Ofsted's details for raising complaints or concerns. They were also asked to make sure that hazardous objects in the kitchen are inaccessible to the children and update records to include, a comprehensive risk assessment of the premises and the times of accidents in the accident book. An action plan and written policy and procedure has been devised for the induction of new staff members. Policies and procedures are readily available for parents to access and include details for raising

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Improvements since the last inspection

complaints and concerns in line with new regulations. Hazardous objects in the kitchen are inaccessible to children. Policies and procedures of the club have been updated to include a detailed risk assessment of the provision and times of accidents are recorded on accident sheets. The setting were asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, ensure that complete records are kept for all staff, volunteers, students and committee members and ensure that parents are provided with the name, address and telephone number of Ofsted. The setting has introduced an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice such as dressing up clothes and food tasting from other countries. Complete records are still not kept for all staff. The name, address and telephone number of

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Improvements since the last inspection

Ofsted is displayed in the setting for parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 Ofsted have received one complaint about this provision. The complaint related to Standard 6: Safety. The provision's public liability insurance which was displayed had expired. We asked the provision to investigate this internally and report back to Ofsted within a clear time period. A current copy of a new insurance certificate was sent into Ofsted. The provider remains to be registered. 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.

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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 good. 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

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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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 the cleanliness of domestic appliances where food is stored • ensure fire drills are carried out frequently • make sure that there is a wider variety of equipment and resources for older children.

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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

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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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