Crescent After School ClubOfsted inspection, 28 Jun 2006

Crescent After School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Crescent After School Club

Unique Reference Number 220010 Inspection date 28 June 2006 Inspector Susan Marriott

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Crescent After School Club

Setting Address Crescent Community Centre, Laburnham Crescent, Kettering, Northants, NN16 9PH Telephone number 01536 415284

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E-mail

Registered person The Crescents After School Club 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Crescent After School Club opened in 1991. It is operated by a committee of elected parents and is based in a community centre within the market town of Kettering. The club serves the local area and collects children from five nearby schools. A maximum of 40 children may attend the club at any one time. The club is open on weekdays during term time only and sessions are from 15.15 - 18.00. There are currently 56 children aged from four to 13 years on roll. The club is able to support a number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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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 The club employs six members of staff. All staff hold appropriate playwork qualifications. Staff receive support from a development worker from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean environment where they begin to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through the consistent daily routines. They stay healthy because the staff encourage them to follow clear procedures to prevent the spread of infection. For example, children wash their hands before snack time and dispose of any rubbish into the waste bin afterwards. Children receive appropriate treatment in the case of medical emergency because several staff members retain a suitable qualification in first aid. The first aid box is adequately stocked, although risk assessments do not include any regular checking of it's contents. There are generally clear and effective procedures for recording accidents and medication, although staff occasionally forget to get parents to sign the entry. Sick children are excluded from the club. Children of all ages are able to rest

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Helping children to be healthy

according to their needs at the end of the day in a side room which is maintained as a quiet space. Children can choose to play inside or outside when the multi-use games court is available. They enjoy regular opportunities to freely experiment with small apparatus such as bats and balls and may choose to participate in more organised team games. These help children to run off any surplus energy, to develop their self-confidence and contribute to their good health and physical development. Children are provided with sufficient food for their needs without spoiling their appetite for a meal when they get home. The staff work hard to take account of children's requests and provide a varied range of snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs. For example, a range of hot and cold snacks, cold meats, cheese, fruit and salad vegetables.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally safe, secure and confident in the club environment. Staff prepare the environment as best they can to make the premises warm and welcoming for children and their parents. Although noise levels increase rapidly in the hall, children respond readily to 'hands on heads', which is the recognised signal for gaining their attention. Staff have identified and minimised risks on the premises for children. For example, socket covers are in place and staff carry out and record a daily premises check. However, fire drill practice is insufficiently frequent and there is no regular monitoring of the accident book or incident records. Staff have a secure knowledge of the club's safety procedures for collecting children from schools which

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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 they put into practice effectively. This ensures children's safety from school to the club and whilst playing indoors and outside. For example, children know to stay with staff whilst walking between school and the community hall and that they must stop at the edge of the car park. They are closely supervised as they play and are reminded of safety boundaries such as, not running inside. Children use an excellent range of safe play resources which are age-appropriate. Resources are set out for children each day and additional items accessed for children on request. A separate, quieter room is always available and this means that children may rest and relax or play quietly after their day at school. Staff have a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if they have concerns relating to child

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

protection and some staff members have attended child protection training. This ensures that children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are enthusiastic and comfortable within the friendly and welcoming environment of the setting. They know the daily routine well and this helps to make them feel confident and secure. For example, they know to hang up their coats and put their book bags on the table before choosing where to play. Children spend their time purposefully. They relate well to each other and enjoy the company of other children and staff. There is a varied range of resources and activities which are used effectively to interest children and develop their learning. Children take part in organised games, races, football and enjoy quieter activities such as quizzes, reading, board games, construction, cookery, needlework and a wide range of crafts. Children participate in themed activities. For example, they enjoy a table football tournament for the current World Cup theme. They made cards for Mother's Day and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

had noodles for tea on Chinese New Year. Plans of activities and play opportunities offered to the children demonstrate the wide range on offer and the daily diary system enables parents to read about the activities chosen by children on a daily basis. Children are very well supported by the staff who take an active role in their sessions at the club and encourage them to extend their experiences by listening and talking to them. Children's concentration is good, they stay focussed on their chosen activities and respond excitedly to the challenges set. They happily participate in quizzes, puzzles and brain teaser games and enjoy the competition with other children of all ages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy mutually respectful relationships with the staff and each other. They develop self-esteem and confidence as they voice their opinions and make choices and decisions. For example, children take responsibility for monitoring turns on the table football game by keeping their own list of players. Children readily chatter to the staff whilst they play and staff always make time to listen to groups or individuals.

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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 can put forward their ideas for activities and snacks through written or verbal contributions. Staff plan activities to promote a positive view of the wider society and increase children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children behave well. They know what is expected of them because they discuss and help to write the club's safety and behaviour rules. Staff talk to the children regularly to ensure they understand the behaviour boundaries. Children with learning difficulties/disabilities integrate well within the group. Equipment and resources are adapted to ensure all children are able to participate fully. All children respect and understand that some children need extra help and willingly support those who do. Children show care and concern for each other, and play together harmoniously.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are friendly. Staff make parents welcome and value their feedback. Effective use of the notice boards and a daily dialogue with parents ensures information is shared appropriately. This promotes continuity of care and children's sense of security.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Positive outcomes are promoted for children through the increasingly effective organisation of the setting. However, self-evaluation and monitoring systems are not yet sufficiently established to ensure consistent progress towards the highest standards of child care and education. The committed and dedicated staff team ensure that children benefit and enjoy their time at this welcoming and friendly provision. Staff respect children's feelings, value their comments and clearly enjoy their company. The children obviously feel at home and at ease in the club environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play. Planning is essentially flexible and promotes children's care and development. The manager is currently implementing new systems to ensure that children are cared for by staff who have been suitably vetted. She is reviewing recruitment and

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Organisation

induction procedures in line with new guidance to ensure that the system is suitably robust. The staff team are well-qualified and work effectively as a team to promote children’s health, enjoyment and achievement at the club. Appropriate documentation underpins the successful organisation of the club and helps staff in their day to day work with the children, providing a valuable source of guidance and reference. However, risk assessment paperwork is cumbersome and does not serve a useful purpose. A dual registration system is in place but occasional lapses in the signing out procedure mean that staff are not always aware of how many children are to be accounted for at any given time. At the time of inspection four staff members have not signed in. Therefore, the system is overly complex and liable to inaccuracies which may potentially compromise children's safety. The provision has reliable systems to cover for unexpected staff absence throughout the year. This ensures

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Organisation

that ratios are always maintained and that children receive consistent levels of adult attention and input to secure their happiness. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, three recommendations were made to enhance children's care and welfare. The setting conduct a daily risk assessment of the premises which has enhanced the safety of children. However, insecure knowledge and understanding of risk assessment means that further issues relating to risk assessment have been raised at this inspection. The setting was also asked to ensure that children are protected from unvetted persons and that the child protection policy includes procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a staff member/volunteer. These issues have been fully addressed to secure the safety and welfare of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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 satisfactory. 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): • develop your knowledge and understanding of risk assessment. Extend this to improve the monitoring of security, accidents, incidents and frequency of fire drill practice in order to promote the safety and welfare of children in your care. • simplify the registration system to ensure that it accurately records the arrival and departure times of children and staff • implement a system of self-evaluation and monitoring which will help the setting to make consistent progress towards the highest standards of child care and education.

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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 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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