Springdale After School Club

School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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School Club

224959 Unique Reference Number 05 October 2006 Inspection date Patricia Webb Inspector

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School Club

Springdale Infant and Junior School, Warstones Drive, Penn, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV4 4NJ

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Setting Address

01902 558810 Telephone number Mobile number 077808 55777 E-mail Jayne Elizabeth Whilton Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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Setting Address

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?

Springdale Primary School after school club has been registered since 1997 and is governed by a management committee. It operates from the junior hall in the Springdale Infant and Junior School in the Penn area of Wolverhampton serving children from the school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 60 children aged from five years to 11 years on roll of whom 15 are aged under eight years. The club opens five days a week during school term times only. Sessions are from 15:15 until 17:30.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are 10 members of staff working directly with the children most of who hold relevant early years qualifications. The setting receives support from the early years department of the local authority.

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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's health is suitably promoted as staff employ effective measures to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Children follow good personal hygiene routines and are reminded by staff about hand washing as they enter the club and before having snacks. Accidents are handled by staff holding current first aid qualifications and clear recording is made of any incidents. Children's individual medical needs are clearly indicated to ensure that staff are alerted to any specific treatments required and all administration of medication is carefully recorded to promote their well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an awareness of following a healthy diet. They enjoy a simple snack on arrival in the club as they chat with each other and the adults, choosing a biscuit or some raisins with their drinks. They have easy access throughout the session to fresh drinking water from dispensers sited around the school following the same routines they have during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

They enjoy a range of physical activity to promote their health. Daily access to outdoor play is a strong ethos within the club, weather permitting. They also enjoy activity such as using the parachute and ball games in the school halls. Staff understand how important it is for the children to relax and let off steam at the end of the busy school day. Children develop their small muscle dexterity as they use tools such as scissors and small construction pieces with increasing skill.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enter the club sessions eager to participate in the activities. They have plenty of space available using the halls and the outdoor play area and know the routines well, helping them feel settled. Much of the routine runs in conjunction with school procedures so children are familiar and relaxed in the environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A wide range of resources is available and rotated regularly to offer variety and maintain children's interest. They relax and make choices about their activity from a selection that is clean, safe and suitable for the ages and interest of the children attending. Children ask for their favourites and are delighted when a member of staff informs them that the hand-held electronic games have been recharged ready for use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very safe and secure in the club. Staff are diligent in following effective procedures to identify and address possible hazards in conjunction with the school site manager and other staff. For example, a sweep of the external perimeter of the school is carried out to reduce the risk of children leaving unsupervised or unauthorised adults entering the site. Children are encouraged to be aware of their own safety. They demonstrate a very clear understanding of the need for certain procedures being in place for their safety. For example, staff ask for their full attention when they first enter the club in order for the register to be taken. Children know

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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 why this is important and relate the close connection between recording all children in the daily register and the emergency evacuation procedures so that staff are fully aware of who is present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is effectively promoted as staff follow child protection procedures in line with school processes. Children are made aware of protection as they are informed of the presence of the inspector and are told that, as an official visitor, it is acceptable for them to engage in conversation. Staff have attended recent training to update their knowledge and understanding in child protection. The designated person with responsibility for child protection is fully aware of the recent changes within the local authority as it changes from an area child protection committee to a local safeguarding children board (LSCB). The current child protection statement does not include reference to the procedures to be followed should an allegation of abuse be made against a member of staff. As this is not shared with parents it hinders how they are made aware of the process or the commitment of the organisation in protecting their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. A varied programme of activities is available for the children to participate in. They make choices about their play and relaxation as they settle to small world play, construction and intricate board games with ease, enthusiasm and familiarity. They show sustained concentration such as when creating a structure using fascinating magnetised pieces and they discuss why, in some positions, the magnets force other pieces away instead of attracting them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Lots of laughter and giggles ensue as children enjoy challenging staff to games such as 'Operation' and 'Guess Who?' Friendly banter and determination in beating staff takes place as they make the adult laugh when attempting to extricate a piece during the 'Operation' and the buzzer sounds. Most of the activities are presented on comfy mats on the floor as children relax and interact in a positive way with staff. Opportunities for children to develop their spontaneous creativity are limited and activities such as art and craft tend to be offered when linked to a specific festival or time of year such as Diwali and Christmas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are identified within the school procedures and followed through when they attend the club. This information is known by the staff who all work within the school and know the children well. The school has a speech and language development unit and some staff within the club have relevant skills and talents in developing effective communication with some children. This includes the use of communication systems such as Makaton sign language to ensure the inclusion of all the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the differing needs of others as they develop an awareness of the world around them. They celebrate festivals such as Harvest and Diwali and access a range of resources that promote positive images of the diversity of society. Staff engage in a friendly manner with

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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 the children developing self esteem and valuing their company and contributions to conversation and activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. The boundaries employed in the club are very similar to school procedures and this consistency contributes to the children's good behaviour and their secure understanding of the consequences. For example, when a group of children become noisy, a simple chat from a member of staff results in them apologising and responding to staff requests to assist in tidying away sensibly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the warm and friendly approach that staff develop with parents when welcoming them into the club. Parents express their satisfaction with the service describing how some children are reluctant to leave when parents turn up at the end of the session. Most of the club policies and procedures are shared with parents and the required consents are in place for the safety and enjoyment of their children in the club. Whilst the club has a confidential procedure for recording any concerns expressed by parents, there is no format yet in place for keeping a complaints log which parents can see on request, as required under the national standards regulations.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy in the club. They effectively use the ample space indoors and outside as they engage in varied activities to promote their enjoyment and relaxation after the rigours of the school day. Careful procedures are in place for the recruitment and vetting of staff who, for the most part, are selected from staff working within the school. This promotes consistency for the children and results in them being cared for by staff who know them well. As the club operates closely along school lines, this offers security for the children and their parents who are confident in the operation of the setting. The staff work well together as a team ensuring that ratios are met at all times and contingency arrangements are effective in supporting this.

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Organisation

A basic set of policies and procedures are used to ensure that staff, parents and children are aware of the boundaries and requirements within the setting. However some of theses have not been regularly updated to keep abreast of recent changes to the operation and regulatory procedures. The current arrangements for noting children's times of arrival and departure do not allow for recording the times of children arriving later, having attended other activities offered by the school such as sports practice. This hinders how children's welfare is effectively promoted.

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Organisation

Overall, the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to improve the child protection statement to include procedures to be followed if an allegation was made against a member of staff; record children's daily attendance accurately particularly the time of their departure; improve the recording of children's dietary needs; increase opportunities for staff to interact directly with

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Improvements 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 the children and provide suitable furniture to enable children to participate in art and craft activities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Some improvement has been made on these issues. Staff are aware of the procedures should an allegation of abuse be made against them. However, the statement for child protection for parents but does not include sufficient information regarding these procedures and this has been raised at this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children arrive at the club directly from their classrooms and are marked as present in a formal register. This does not indicate times of arrival and when children arrive later in the session, having attended sports and other activities offered by the school, their late arrival is not always noted. This hinders how the record accurately indicates each child's presence in the setting and has been raised at this inspection. Times of each child's departure are, however, noted on the child's individual index card which is signed daily by parents and carers and used as a true record of their attendance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's dietary needs are now recorded on the admission forms completed by parents before a child starts attending the club.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Staff work effectively as they interact with the children and join in with their play and activity. Friendly competition takes place amidst fun and laughter as children and adults participate in board games, stencil activities and team games such as using the parachute.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There are limited opportunities for children to engage in art and craft activities. When using the junior hall, appropriate furniture and resources to facilitate this are not readily available hindering children's creativity. This has been raised at this inspection.

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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.

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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):

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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 • ensure that the written child protection statement includes the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff • develop the opportunities for children to engage in art and craft activities • devise and implement a format for the complaints log • review policies and procedures regularly to reflect changes to information and legislation • ensure that the arrival and departure of each child is accurately recorded.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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