Aldermaston Breakfast and After School ClubOfsted inspection, 10 Jul 2006

School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

School Club

Unique Reference Number 511185 Inspection date 10 July 2006 Inspector Claudia Padfield

p.1

School Club

Setting Address Aldermaston C of E Primary School, Wasing Lane,Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4LX Telephone number 0118 9713362 mob 07733066136

p.1

E-mail

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

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Aldermaston Play Zone is the club which is held in the Aldermaston Church of England Primary School in Aldermaston, which is a rural village in West Berkshire. It was set up in 2000 to provide before and after school care. The club meets in the school hall and has access to toilets, kitchen and outside play areas. The club is registered to care for 24 children aged from four to eight years and also provides care for older primary children up to the age of 11 years. There are 104 children on roll of whom 63 are aged eight or under. The club is open to all children in the community. Care is offered before school between 8:00 and 8.45 and after school

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 between 15:15 and 18:00 on weekdays during the school term. A voluntary committee is responsible for running the club and there are three staff members working directly with the children. The club leader has a level three qualification in childcare. The club receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership(EYDCP)

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning good personal care skills through daily routines and gentle reminders from the staff team. They wash hands before snack time and after visiting the bathroom, knowing this prevents the spread of germs. Children are independent and older children within the group support and consider the younger ones. Staff renew appropriate first aid training and have good arrangements in place should a child become ill. Children may help themselves to drinks at any time. They enjoy varied and nourishing snacks that comply with all special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy. Children sit at the table and enjoy making and spreading the fillings for their sandwiches. Staff discuss the range of choices and healthy options. Children have a basket of fruit and vegetable to choose from and staff will happily prepare the fruit if the children require some. Children develop a positive attitude to physical exercise. They are independent and

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

enjoy the daily opportunity to do outside. As a group they negotiate when they play outside and when they play inside, considering everybody's wishes and giving all the opportunity to have a choice. Children play freely with a range of challenging equipment. They enthusiastically join in organised activities, for example, the outdoor football games. Opportunities to increase control and co-ordination are available daily through a variety of activities both indoors and outdoors.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment which is well-organised and allows them to move around safely. Staff supervise the children and minimise hazards through risk assessments, however they are not consistently completed to ensure the children's safety. Children and staff practice the emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency. Children have access to a wide range of quality toys that are easily accessible and regularly checked to ensure they are safe for the children. Children discuss with the staff what activities they wish to complete and when they would like to do them. Staff protect the children and remind them about the consequences of their actions for

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 example throwing the balls inside and walking not running to the bathroom. These actions raise the children's awareness and encourages them to be responsible for their own well-being. Staff have a good understanding of how to safeguard children to protect their welfare. The have completed further training regarding child protection and are aware of their role and responsibility. These measures contribute to keeping children safe and ensure staff act in the children's best interest.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are secure and confident in the setting; they settle well and are totally at ease. They relate to each other, show each other care and consideration, play together and socialise across the age range. The staff provide a stimulating range of toys and activities, both indoors and outdoors. The children clearly enjoy and show considerable interest in these activities, which help to promote their development and learning. For example, children have planned a beach party for the end of term. They have organised a range of games and consulted staff about using the paddling pools, who in turn have consulted the water company and have all the correct consents in place because of the drought order. Children talk freely with staff and other children about events that have happened during their school day. They are able to share and show co-operation with friends during their play. Staff are very aware of the differing needs of the children in their

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

care, they understand that many children need to relax after a full day at school. Children benefit and enjoy interaction with staff in different situations, for example playing games outside and participating jointly in art and craft activities. Older children spend lengthy periods of time creating Hama bead pictures following the picture book instructions.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and included in the setting, this contributes to them feeling a sense of belonging. Staff treat them with equal concern and respect their individual needs well, adapting activities to enable all children to participate. The setting has effective arrangements to care for children with special needs and staff work well with parents to include all children. Children receive good and appropriate support from staff, good relationships are evident and raise the children's confidence and self-esteem. Staff praise and encourage the children regularly. The older children often help and support the younger children. Staff notice this support and positively encourage good social skills. Children’s behaviour is good. They share, take turns and negotiate well. For example, children help the staff to get toys and equipment out in the garden and then

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 tidy away when they have finished. Staff use praise and encouragement effectively. Staff are friendly and approachable towards parents offering a flexible service. Good levels of documentation support the staff in their day to day duties and much is visually available in the hall and entrance.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The after-school club is well organised with experienced staff, children feel settled and secure. They have good support to gain confidence, and to enjoy being at the club. The required adult to child ratios are effectively met and children are supervised. Owing to the good deployment of staff, children can independently choose whether to play in the hall or the school grounds discussing this as they arrive and making a decision about when they play in and when they play out. Effective recruitment procedures are in place and used to appoint and check new staff. The formal induction and good teamwork make sure staff work together to promote the children's welfare. The manager encourages staff to participate in training and to continue to develop their knowledge. Staff use record keeping systems effectively to meet children’s needs well. They ensure the children’s arrival and departure times are accurately recorded and most

p.5

Organisation

mandatory documentation is available, well maintained and stored securely. However some consents require updating. Newly written extensive policies and procedures are available to parents and work well in practice. They effectively promote children’s health, safety and ability to make a positive contribution. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection staff have implemented a comprehensive range of polices and procedures to protect the children and keep them healthy. These are available to parents and reviewed to ensure they cover all regulatory requirements. Staff have attended training in child protection and are aware of the new procedures for safeguarding children.

p.5

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.

p.5

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 On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

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 all required consents are in place and given by the parents • ensure evidence of risk assessments are completed every day.

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