Horsforth School

Project

Inspection report for early years provision

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Project

137775 Unique Reference Number 12 October 2006 Inspection date Chris Banks Inspector

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Project

Gladstone Park Primary School, Sherrick Green Road, London, NW10 1LB

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E-mail

Joan McFarlane 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 inadequate - enforcement action. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children Making a Change After School Project was registered in 1997. It is a privately run provision based in Gladstone Park Primary school in the NW10 area of Brent. The service operates from 15:30 to 18:00 during term time only and is for pupils aged between four and 11 years who attend the school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 26 children on roll. Of these,16 are aged under eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to a ground floor hall and first floor library. There is also a playground for outdoor activities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A team of three staff work with the children, one of whom holds a recognised qualification in early years childcare.

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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. Children are cared for in a clean and bright setting with easily accessible outdoor play facilities. They enjoy free play in the open air and confidently initiate their own lively and energetic group games. They also enjoy taking part in occasional adult led activities such as football.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children understand simple health and hygiene practices. There are rigid daily routines for hand washing and staff use suitable hygiene practice when preparing snacks for children. Table covers are used and wiped down before and after use. Children's health is suitably protected because there is a written sickness policy which staff follow. One member of staff has recently renewed a First Aid qualification which means appropriate action is taken in the event of an accident or emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Snacks are healthy and nutritious. Children enjoy a range of fruits and yoghurts and are able to help themselves to water throughout the session. Allergies are clearly recorded which means risks to children are minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's safety is put at risk because not all of them are familiar with the emergency evacuation procedure and no fire drill records are kept. The provider has failed to comply with this requirement which was made at the last inspection. Daily checks of areas used by children are carried out and safety checklists are completed each week.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are secure in the setting because staff supervises them well and ensure they are accompanied when moving around different parts of the school. Younger children are further protected because they are collected from their classroom by staff. Toys and equipment used by children are safe and in good condition

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The overall welfare of children is safeguarded because staff are suitably informed about their role and responsibility in child protection. New staff are familiar with the process for monitoring and reporting concerns but there are gaps in the written procedure about Ofsted's role and action to take if any allegations are made against a member of staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Overly rigid and time consuming routines affect children's enjoyment of the session. Children are required to queue in silence for hand washing and are not positively encouraged to socialise during snack time. At these times children behave in a compliant way but some become quite restless. The time children can play outdoors is also dictated by routine.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 are cared for by staff who are quite friendly and approachable. Younger children are well integrated in the mixed age range setting because some older children are particularly supportive towards them. The overall atmosphere between children during play activities is quite relaxed and they enjoy playing alongside their peers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The overall quality of activities provided for children is very limited and there are times during the session where no indoor activities whatsoever are available. For example, after snack time children have no choice but to play outside as no indoor activities have been prepared or organised for them. Once children begin indoor activities the atmosphere is companionable and staff interaction improves. Children enjoy playing with a range of floor puzzles, board games, construction toys and also use simple drawing materials to depict their ideal party wear for friend's birthday celebrations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about other cultures when they celebrate different festivals such as Diwali, Eid and Christmas. The absence of diverse play materials, however, does not encourage children to explore difference through their everyday play activities. Aspects of children's behaviour are suitably managed. This is because staff no longer raise their voice or use inappropriate sanctions such as eating in complete silence. Children mostly behave well and clear explanations combined with encouraging children to co operate together helps diffuse situations. Despite the absence of a formal settling process, new younger children are happily integrated with their peers. Older members support less confident children and behave responsibly towards them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive a friendly welcome on arrival to collect their children and informal exchanges of information help ensure they are kept reasonably well informed. Parents are not given any written information about the service but are kept updated by occasional newsletters and notices on the display board.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. There has been insufficient progress made in ensuring all staff are checked for their suitability to work with children. Prompt action has not been taken in the case of one member of staff who is still yet to be approved. The absence of formal recruitment procedures is also of concern as written references are not taken up and staff qualifications are not on record.

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Organisation

Space is sufficient for the number of children the setting is registered to care for but indoor space is not well planned. For example after children's snack time there are no activities set out until children return from outdoor play. This affects children's choice if they prefer to play inside. There is also no quiet comfortable space in the hall where younger children can rest and relax.

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Organisation

Accurate attendance records are kept and parents are familiar with the signing out process. Arrangements for the storage of confidential information have improved with provision of a lockable cabinet but not all records are made easily available for inspection.

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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 The setting does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There has been insufficient improvements made since a Compliance Notice was served on the provider.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider was required to ensure there are effective procedures in place to check that staff are suitable to work with children. To date, two staff are now on record as having clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau but the check for a third member of staff remains outstanding. Children's safety therefore remains compromised.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The requirement to ensure positive steps are taken to promote safety within the setting has been partially addressed because safety checklist are now completed on a weekly basis. This means children's overall safety is more closely monitored. Not all children, however, are familiar with emergency evacuation procedures and there is no evidence that fire drills are carried out.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Aspects of children's behaviour are now suitably managed following the last inspection. Staff no longer raise their voice or use inappropriate sanctions with children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the overall quality of activities for children remains poor. Due to in adequate planning and organisation, choice remains limited for children who find themselves with no indoor activity options for part of the session.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action to meet the National Standards. The provide 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 inadequate - enforcement action. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

Ofsted is taking enforcement action to safeguard the welfare of children.

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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 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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