Highbury Roundhouse After School Club

Highbury Roundhouse After School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Highbury Roundhouse After School Club

EY244389 Unique Reference Number 11 August 2006 Inspection date Maxine Rose Inspector

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Highbury Roundhouse After School Club

71 Ronalds Road, London, N5 1XB Setting Address

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E-mail

Highbury Roundhouse Youth & Community Centre Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of 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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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?

Highbury Roundhouse after school and holiday play scheme, has been operating for many years but has been registered since 2005. The group is run by a management committee. The setting resides in the Highbury area of the London borough of Islington. The provision provides before and after school care for 16 children aged five to under eight years, during term time, and 30 places for children aged five to under eight years during the holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The after school club is situated in a converted house with direct access to a safely enclosed area and the holiday play scheme also has the use of a large hall at the rear of the premises.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are six staff working directly with the children. All the staff including the manager hold an appropriate qualification in play work.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are kept hydrated and refreshed throughout the day because a self-serve drinking bar ensures fresh water is readily available to them. All children help themselves to drinking water as they do with the light snacks that are provided during the daily intervals. Children’s snacks are not particularly well balanced as they consist mainly of biscuits with the occasional selection of sliced fruit. Children do bring packed lunches to eat but whilst their individual dietary requirements are met the contents are not sufficiently checked to ensure they have healthy options. There is a slight variation in the food choices when children indulge their culinary skills in cookery activities for instance when baking cakes, pizzas and mixing fruit smoothies. The staff do use these moments well to inform children about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, as the children wash their hands before touching food and use natural ingredients in

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Helping children to be healthy

their recipes. The staff who are first aid trained ensure the environment is kept clean for the children. Group rooms are well ventilated, tables are cleaned before use and floors are swept after messy activities. At times the children are involved in simple domestic tasks this helps them to have an appreciation for their surroundings. Children’s appreciation for their surroundings is extended to their physical play. They make practical use of the outdoor space to develop their skills when running, walking, skipping, steering wheelie toys and kicking balls. These activities keep children physically fit and mentally alert. The staff are keen to ensure children have optimum health when attending the group. For this reason they have clear procedures for caring for sick children, administering medication and obtaining emergency treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Some procedures are implemented well to ensure children’s safety is given high regard. Children can experience the allure of visiting new places because the staff are thorough when completing risk assessments to ensure the suitability of venues and the mode of transport. There are times when risk assessments are not used effectively. For instance fire doors are not always kept closed which apart from being a hazard it enables children to have unsupervised access to the outdoor area. Also other safety features such as the unsecured electric wiring and aspects of the fire evacuation procedures do not ensure children are suitably safeguarded. The children are well supervised most of the time because adult and child ratios are maintained throughout the day and in the event of staff absences replacement staff are promptly installed. The arrangements for children’s arrival and collection are managed well by the staff. The children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

register their attendance and on departure parents and carers make themselves known to staff and sign to collect children. The staff are trained in child protection, their knowledge of the signs of abuse helps to protect children from possible harm.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. A range of fun and exciting activities await the children each day. Children are inspired by the creative resources available to them. Children work purposefully when designing large collage displays featuring photographs, paintings and drawings of their seaside excursion. This activity enabled the children to communicate their ideas and share their experiences as they record what they most enjoyed about the trip to Southend-on-Sea. The children are proud of their artistic achievements. Together they have formed an art gallery featuring hand prints, self portraits and sketches of the water front and pier seen on their trip. Whilst the children work well independently many of the activities are grouped based. The children welcome the chance to work in teams, some of their favourite sports being football and dodge ball. These activities help children to form friendships whilst enhancing their confidence and social skills by

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encouraging them to share, take turns and support each other. Occasionally group games are very lively and whilst they are popular with all children the younger ones are sometimes not fully included. The staff plan activities well most of the time to make children’s stay a memorable experience. There are a host of other enjoyable activities to stimulate the children’s interest for example baking cakes, playing on the football machine, reading books, dressing-up and role play. The children are keen to show off their many talents and this often takes the form of drama as they use a range of props such as hats, shoes, bags and ‘household’ accessories to perform imagined ideas. There is much fun to be had outdoors too. The children develop their physical skills as they exert their strength to the fullest when running, jumping, climbing and manoeuvring the wheelie equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children behave well and are building warm and trusting relationships with the each other and staff. The staff have high expectations for how children should behave. Children have good opportunities to work in groups where they learn to share and take turns with resources. All children are invited to take part in the full range of activities. The group have a clear equal opportunities policy that helps to ensure all children’s individual needs are met. The group’s policy is implemented in practical ways for instance relevant information is obtained on all children regarding their dietary and health requirements. In addition to this the children have access to books, dressing up clothes, dolls, photographic images and small world toys that reflect positively the diverse community they live in. These resources help to inform children about other people, race, culture and religion in the wider world. There are no children attending

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the group with special educational needs however the group have effective strategies in place to ensure all children can be fully integrated into the setting. Part of the group’s strategies for working effectively with children includes sustaining active communication with parents. There is an informative notice board for parents detailing the children’s programme of activities and forthcoming events. The staff are friendly and make themselves available to the parents to listen to their concerns and exchange information about the children’s progress.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. There is ample space for the children and the many activities provided them. Indoors the space is used well in most areas. For instance some group rooms are designated for messy play, role play, cooking and indoor sports. This arrangement works well because enhances children’s play opportunities and it gives them choices. The space is less well organised for the storage of children’s coats and packed lunch boxes, at times these items can be found lying on the floor. All staff are suitably trained they receive clear guidance on their roles and responsibilities. They regularly attend training and use their knowledge of play work to provide a broad range of experiences and stimulating opportunities for all children. Detailed documentation is in place and these are regularly reviewed and implemented by staff. The staff follow clear and effective routines to ensure that children have a structured day and benefit from their time at the setting.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the children for whom they provide.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints made to Ofsted since the registration of the group in 2005. 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): • ensure children are kept healthy by eating a balanced diet • ensure risk assessments include all aspects of fire safety • ensure younger children are fully involved in the full range of activities where possible • provide appropriate storage for children's packed lunch boxes and coats.

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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 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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