Earlsfield After School Centre

Earlsfield After School Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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Earlsfield After School Centre

Unique Reference Number EY293297 Inspection date 20 June 2005 Inspector Tracy Maria Clarke

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Earlsfield After School Centre

Setting Address Earlsfield Primary School, Tranmere Road, London, SW18 3QQ

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E-mail

Registered person Wandsworth Borough Council Play Services 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?

Earlsfield After School Centre was registered in 2004. The Centre takes place within Earlsfield Primary School, and is within close proximity of local shops and transport facilities. The Centre are registered to care for 24 children aged 3 to under 8 years of age, with children up to the age of 11 also in attendance. The majority of children who attend are from Earlsfield Primary School, although the centre also collect children from Beatrix Potter Primary School, and children are transported from other local schools.

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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 Children have access to the first floor hall/gymnasium, toilets and the large outside playground. A kitchen is provided for staff to prepare meals. There are currently 40 children attending the Centre. On a daily basis approximately 10 to 16 children attend, although this number increases during different periods of the year. Children attending are reflective of the local diverse community and 3 children have differing levels of special needs. The Earlsfield After School Centre operate Monday to Friday, term time only. Opening hours are from 15:15 to 18:00. Three staff currently work at the Centre, one of whom holds a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3, appropriate for the care of children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a healthy diet since the menu was altered a few months ago. Following discussion with parents, staff introduced a wider range of well presented and nutritional foods, and children now enjoy raw vegetables and fresh fruit every day. Children are able to access drinking water throughout the session and staff provide drinks out for children during outings. Children have an awareness of healthy eating due to effective discussions and activities, such as making fresh fruit salad. Their health is maintained and their individual dietary needs met due to effective communication between staff and parents. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene, washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating. They are kept healthy as staff follow good food hygiene standards when preparing and heating foods, which prevents the spread of cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy taking part in a wide range of physical play experiences. Good use is made of the school playground and children take part in cricket, basketball, football, and organised games. They are further challenged in their physical development through effective activity planning. For example, children have regular opportunities to take part in obstacle courses and timed events such as running races, and a teacher comes in once a week to teach children how to break-dance. The vigorous indoor and outdoor physical play encourages children to develop a positive attitude to exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a range of toys and equipment which meet safety standards and are age appropriate. They play with toys safely due to the staff's effective organisation of them. For example, when playing with the parachute sufficient space

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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 is provided so that children can run around and under it without disrupting others. Safe practice is explained to children, so they learn to take responsibility for keeping themselves and others safe. For example, when playing in the outside area children know they must not open the gate and are aware of the areas of the playground that are safe for them to use. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised through appropriate risk assessment. Children, staff and visitors are signed in and out of the building, although security precautions do not currently enable parents to gain entry unless they have access to a mobile phone. Children are aware of keeping themselves safe when they are on outings, as staff talk to them about road safety and good practice when crossing the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

road. Fire exits are well signposted and smoke alarms are fitted, but there is no fire blanket in the first floor kitchen. Although children are generally kept safe through effective procedures, the emergency evacuation procedure has not been practiced by all staff and children due to infrequent fire drills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children show a strong sense of belonging as they greet each other and staff on their arrival. They enjoy participating in a range of activities which encourages their all round development. Every day they take part in creative activities, such as painting, plaster cast, collages, drawing and junk modelling. Once a week they have opportunities to cook and every Tuesday they take part in break dancing classes. Children enthusiastically play with one another, selecting resources independently and using them well to make up games of their own. For example, older children play with a fishing game, but decide to time how many they can pick up in 60 seconds, to make the game more challenging. They particularly enjoy splashing one another with water when playing 'Duck, Duck, Splash' in the playground. Children are given opportunities to take risks within their play and to initiate their own

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ideas. For example, after playing with the parachute for some time, they decide to drape it over some equipment to make a den, which they then hide under. Children select the games and toys they wish to play with, requesting to listen to a range of CD's for example, and they make suggestions to staff as to what games they want to play in the outside area. Staff regularly review the activities on offer to ensure children remain excited and motivated to take part in them. Although children enjoy playing with the toys and equipment provided, the variety and range available is limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a positive attitude, serving one another food and drinks at meal times, and engaging well with each other to take part in group play. They have well formed friendships, linking up with each other to initiate games and decide the rules. Older

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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 children show care towards younger children, helping them to complete craft activities. Children respond very well to the expectations of staff. For example, every day staff choose a child who has been helpful or who has a good attitude and they are given the 'thumbs up'. At the end of the week the child who has the most 'thumbs up' receives a reward. Children who have experienced behavioural problems make good progress, due to effective behaviour plans drawn up by staff in conjunction with parents. Children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and children with special needs are warmly welcomed in the centre. Children develop a positive awareness of the wider community through planned outings within the local area, themed activities and regular discussions. However, there are very few resources and toys which reflect

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Helping children make a positive contribution

diversity. Children benefit from the positive partnership staff have with parents. Children settle well because staff know their needs, and any issues or concerns are shared with parents to ensure children receive consistent care and routines. Parents interviewed are happy with the care provided, feel their children benefit from the organised activities and are satisfied with the information they receive from staff.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are kept healthy and their welfare safeguarded due to appropriate policies and procedures which work in practice. All staff receive a three day induction which ensures that they are aware of the procedures to be followed to keep children safe. Staff work well together to provide activities which children enjoy taking part in. Although the range of equipment provided for children to play with is limited, staff overcome this due to effective planning. Staff organise themselves well to ensure children are supervised at all times. Although only one member of staff is qualified, this is sufficient to meet the needs of the number of children under 8 who attend on a regular basis. There have been many staff changes at the centre since it opened last year. However, the acting manager has remained a consistent member of staff and she communicates effectively with newer staff to ensure that children receive consistency of care and to

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Organisation

ensure the smooth running of the centre. The organisation takes appropriate steps to ensure that children are kept safe, due to recruitment procedures which verify staff's suitability to work with children. However, the organisation have failed to keep Ofsted informed of the staff changes at the centre. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

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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

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve fire safety by providing a smoke alarm in the kitchen and ensuring that all children and staff practice the emergency evacuation procedures • improve security systems so that parents are able to gain easier access to the premises • ensure that Ofsted in kept notified of staff changes as and when they occur

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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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