Blueprint

The In-Between Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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The In-Between Club

110201 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2006 Inspection date Lisa Ellis Inspector

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The In-Between Club

The Avenue Pavillion, The Avenue, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4JQ Setting Address

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The In-Between Club

01730231030 or 07816 400550 Telephone number southacre@hotmail.co.uk E-mail The Petersfield In Between Club Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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The In-Between Club

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?

The In-Between Club has been registered since 2000. It is a committee run after school club which provides care for children aged between four and eleven years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club meets weekdays during term time between 15:00 and 18:00, in the pavilion which is situated close to the centre of Petersfield, Hampshire. It has use of a hall, a smaller room where children may use a computer and an outdoor play area. The staff collect the children from the local schools and walk with them to the club. There are currently 60 children on roll. The group has systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those that have English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club employs six part-time members of staff of which five have qualifications in child care and all have first aid training.

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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's health is promoted as they practise personal hygiene routines such as washing their hands before they have their snacks and after toileting. Tables are cleaned with anti-bacterial spray before children eat and floors are swept between activities to ensure that children are able to play in a hygienic environment. Good procedures are in place to reduce the risk of infection as those with contagious ailments are excluded. Children that become unwell during sessions sit quietly with staff to be monitored before they are collected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to be dealt with promptly after accidents as all staff have current first aid certificates and parents provide written consent for the staff to seek treatment in an emergency. Good records are kept of accidents and parents sign their acknowledgement to promote the welfare of the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met as they are given a variety of healthy snacks on arrival at the club and half way through the sessions. Children with special dietary needs are catered for and drinks are available throughout the sessions to ensure children remain suitably hydrated. Some parents provide a tea for their children which the staff cook or re-heat as necessary. This meets the needs of a small group of children who participate in other leisure activities after leaving the club. Staff ensure food is correctly stored for children by regularly checking the temperature of the fridge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from fresh air and exercise on a daily basis as they are collected from school by staff who walk back to the club with them. They access the outside area regularly and enjoy activities such as riding up and down on scooters.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have sole use of a large hall which also has a small room for quiet play. The premises are well maintained and kept clean by staff who tidy up as they go along to reduce the risk of accidents. The hall is well laid out with areas for arts and crafts, table top and floor activities and a quieter area where children can look at books and play with a games console. There is a large outdoor area that is well used by the children to practise their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a variety of equipment that is set out for their arrival. If additional resources are requested, staff get them for children from large walk-in storage cupboards. The equipment meets the developmental needs for the range of children in attendance. Resources are well maintained and are cleaned on a regular basis to promote the health and safety of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well supervised at all times with at least two members of staff going to collect them from each school. Children are accompanied in the outdoor area and closely observed when in the hall to ensure their safety. Worthwhile risk assessments are carried out to minimise

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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 danger to children, for example the outdoor area is checked for broken glass and animal faeces before children play outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning safety procedures for themselves, such as the green cross code when walking back from school and how to evacuate the building safely should there be an emergency. Written records are kept of fire drills although the information this provides is very limited and does not give any detail on how drills could be improved to ensure children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is effectively promoted as almost all staff have completed child protection training. There are clear policies and procedures in place of the action to take should staff have concerns regarding a child's welfare. Staff have a clear understanding of their role in helping to protect children from harm, for example, by recording any injuries that children come into the group with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very familiar with the routines of the group and quickly get involved in activities of their choice. Staff plan a range of activities to keep the children interested and engaged in what is on offer. Staff do not unnecessarily interfere in children's play which allows them to be independent and make their own decisions. The group follows a basic routine so children know what activities are happening next.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children interact well with the staff and each other and are confident enough to approach staff if they need help with a particular activity, for example, trying to build models and structures from recyclable items.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are helpful and offer to assist staff with chores such as sweeping up after messy activities. Children are valued and their ideas are taken into consideration, for example they have elected two of their peers to act on the children's council. These two children are given the responsibility of surveying the other children to find out their views, such as what else they would like to do in the group and if they have any ideas for new rules which would make the club a good place to be.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and are valued as individuals. All children are given equal opportunities relating to activities and snacks and are encouraged to be respectful of the staff and their peers. Resources reflect diversity in society to teach children about the wider world. Staff monitor the progress of children and liaise with parents if there are any problems relating to their development. The group is accessible for wheelchair users and staff work closely with parents to meet the individual needs of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and staff are consistent when dealing with behavioural issues as they follow the rules that the children helped to write. Staff remain calm and fair when dealing with squabbling children, listening to both sides of the story and gently reminding children of the

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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 rules of the group to ensure they can learn the behavioural boundaries. Incidents of persistent unwanted behaviour are recorded and shared with parents although children's full names are not always noted which makes records difficult to monitor.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are given good information about what goes on in the group. They are invited to visit with their children before they are left to help them settle in and receive a worthwhile information via the parents' pack, notice board and regular newsletters. Parents are invited into the hall when collecting their children and are able to discuss how their children have been whilst in the group. Staff also pass on information from school, such as accidents, which helps keep parents informed of their children's day. Parents are surveyed annually to get their views on the strengths and weaknesses of the group. Several parents were consulted during the inspection and all expressed high levels of satisfaction with the group, from the range of activities to the staff being approachable and the premises being secure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care. There are appropriate recruitment procedures in place which ensures children are cared for by experienced and qualified staff who have been appropriately vetted. The safety and welfare of the children is promoted as ratios are maintained at all times, registers are accurate and children are never left alone with unvetted persons.

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Organisation

The club has started a quality assurance scheme and participates in appraisals which monitors staff performance and contributes to improvement of the setting. Staff show a commitment to training by participating in regular workshops to increase their childcare knowledge.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation is in place and is shared with parents as necessary. Most of the paperwork is stored confidentially, however some is stored in a shared locked cupboard on site. The group is able to identify their own strengths and weaknesses and have recently updated all their policies to bring them inline with changes in childcare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the group were asked to increase the resources which promote positive images of disability. They have since purchased more books that reflect this, which helps children to understand more about the wider community.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that have required the provider or Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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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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): • improve records of fire drills • ensure the record of behavioural incidents reflects children's full names • improve the storage of confidential paperwork

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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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