Downsbrook Out of School Club

Downsbrook Out of School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Downsbrook Out of School Club

EY313264 Unique Reference Number 19 December 2006 Inspection date Jill Steer Inspector

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Downsbrook Out of School Club

Downsbrook Middle School, Dominion Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 8GD

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E-mail

Sharon Anne Ashworth 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 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?

Downsbrook Out of School Club is privately run. It registered in 2006 and operates from one classroom and the hall in Downsbrook Middle School in Worthing. The out of school club is open each weekday from 08.00 to 8.45, and from 15.00 to 18.00 during term times only. All children share access to a secure enclosed playground and field.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 30 children aged from five to under 13 years on roll. Children attend from several local schools. The club currently supports one child with learning difficulties.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The out of school club employs five members of staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications and one member of staff is working towards a qualification.

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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 good. Children enjoy many pursuits which use their energy and help them develop a healthy lifestyle. For example, performing handstands or skilfully manoeuvring micro scooters around the large hall and in between the exercise mats. They have access to the school playground and field where they participate in lively team games and develop their hand and eye co-ordination as they practise cuing the balls into the pockets on the pool table.

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Helping children to be healthy

Before eating their snack and when visiting the toilet, children are reminded to wash their hands, developing good personal hygiene routines. Children's health and safety is paramount, and there are clear procedures in place for first aid and emergency treatment. Detailed recording of any accidents ensure the parents are kept informed as they are asked to sign all entries made.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy snacks are provided which children help to prepare. They butter crackers and cut up wedges of juicy fresh fruit which is laid out on the snack bar for children to help themselves to. They take their plates and know to sit at a table whilst they are eating and help themselves to drinks of water whenever they are thirsty. Children's individual dietary needs are carefully recorded to ensure any specific requirements are met. For example some children have allergies and intolerances to certain foods which staff ensure they do not have and others may have medical conditions such as diabetes which require careful monitoring of food intake. This information is clearly displayed so all staff are fully aware, in order to avoid any potential adverse reactions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff have a high regard for safety at the setting. The setting itself and all the equipment is secure and staff undertake regular risk assessments to identify any potential problems. There are many procedures in place for the after school club to promote the children's safety, including regular fire drills, recording of visitors and the safe collection of children. Children are safeguarded because staff have a good understanding of child protection, and their role with regards to protecting children from abuse

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are happily occupied in surroundings which have been arranged to provide suitable areas for a variety of activities. For example, they can lounge comfortably and sociably on comfy chairs, run around outside playing sports, or involve themselves with homework, game playing, and craft activities. The resources provided are well maintained and suitable for the ages of children attending, providing a balance of fun and learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from being able to play in a clean and well-organised environment. Suitably sized furniture allows children to play comfortably, and easy access to all areas ensures children's independence is developed. The space is well organised to maximise on the range of activities and play opportunities the children have available to them, while the deployment of staff

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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 ensures children receive good levels of supervision at all times. Children are encouraged to think about their own safety through the sensible guidelines such as looking around carefully when handling long snooker cues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are able to choose how they want to spend their time in the club. On arrival they tell the day's team leader what they would like to do, this is written on an activity sheet so the staff can organise any games requested. For example, deciding to play a game devised by the children themselves, or chanting a rhyme and performing impressive hand stands to see who stays up the longest. This game includes active participation from a staff member and greatly strengthens the relationship between staff and children. Children have further opportunities to make suggestions about things to happen in the club by putting their comments on the 'suggestion tree'. This enables children to make suggestions confidently and anonymously if they prefer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff support and encourage the children, for example as they create models in the craft area by following instructions from a book. Staff ensure children have all they need in the well resourced craft area as they offer guidance and encouragement. Some children prefer more sedate activities and regularly choose to sit quietly with the construction after their long school day. They sit companionably together, chatting as they build their models, finding pieces for each other and admiring the end results.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Excitement builds as the club make ready for the pending festivities, and a group of children enthusiastically devise dance routines which they then present as a lively performance for the staff and other children. Under flashing Christmas lights they confidently gyrate and perform the actions to the Macarena and the latest chart music, happily receiving rounds of applause and cheers as they finish.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and at ease within their surroundings because staff welcome them and ensure they feel settled and secure. They benefit from good levels of support, and activities are organised to ensure all children can participate and achieve at their own level. Staff warmly greet all children and talk to parents to establish a good understanding and awareness of children's individual needs. However there are few resources available to provide children with a positive view of the wider world. Activities are not planned to promote children's awareness of diversity and a respect for people who appear to be different to themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because they are occupied and interested in what they are doing. Supervision and encouragement from the staff guides children to act appropriately and show consideration for others. Colourful posters are displayed around the walls which encourage children to think about behaviour such as 'respectfulness', 'caring for others', 'trustworthiness' and 'responsibility'. A recent competition to raise the children's awareness of bullying has

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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 proved very successful. Children produced their own posters and have shared the information learned with their own school teachers. The club have proudly displayed their work which includes a website address for children to further research if they feel the need.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships the staff build with their parents. Staff ensure there is sufficient time to share information with the parents as they collect their children. Parents are welcomed and receive comprehensive information about the setting through displays and newsletters.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The out of school club provides a bright and welcoming environment for children to play safely before and after school. Staff are suitably qualified to care for children, they work well together as a team and are well deployed to offer the children good levels of support at all times. Children move about the areas freely and confidently and are interested and occupied in the activities. Daily attendance registers are in place and used effectively to record the children's attendance, along with the number of children attending being updated on the board as they arrive and leave. This ensures both staff and children always know how many people are there at all times. Children's records are well kept with the necessary information to care for them and are updated each term to ensure all details are correct in case of emergencies.

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Organisation

Detailed policies have been put in place to underpin the club's good practice. However, these are not readily available for inspection or for reference by staff and parents. All required regulatory documentation is in place and maintained efficiently to ensure the smooth operation of the club. This in turn results in children being cared for in an environment that has been considerately organised to provide for their needs. The club operates from secure premises where children are protected from persons who may not have been vetted. The provider meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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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Complaints 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): • ensure children have access to a broad range of resources and activities that promote positive images of deversity

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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