Hamstead After School Kids Club

Hamstead After School Club Committee Inspection report for early years provision

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268327 Unique Reference Number 03 April 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Turner Inspector

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Tanhouse Avenue, Great Barr, Birmingham, West Midlands, B43 5AS Setting Address

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E-mail

Hamstead After School Club Committee 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?

Hamstead After School Club opened in 2002. It operates from Hamstead Infants School situated in the Great Barr area of Birmingham. A maximum of 24 children may attend the Out of School Club at any one time. The admission policy is that children should be attending Hamstead Infants School for the before and after school club.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Out of School Club is open each weekday with a breakfast club operating from 07:30 to 08:40, and the after school club from 15:20 to 18:00, term times, and from 09:00 to 17:00 during the school holidays. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 60 children aged from 4 to 11 years on roll. Children come from a wide catchment area to the holiday club. The Out of School Club currently supports a number of children with special educational needs, and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Out of School Club employs seven staff. Six of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. One staff is working towards a qualification in playwork.

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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 stay healthy because staff are active in promoting good hygiene by raising children's awareness of good practice and healthy living. Children learn about hygiene routines as they wash their hands after playing games outdoors, using the toilet and before snack time. This helps them to effectively understand the need to practise good routines of personal hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are kept safe from the spread of infection as staff clean tables before and after use. Staff follow good hygiene procedures when they prepare snacks and drinks for the children. Children are generally well nourished as their parents are responsible for providing their packed lunches. The staff promote and support healthy eating for children through discussion with parents and the children. This gives parents suggestions on how they can provide their children with a healthy lunch box. Children's individual dietary needs are well met and they are offered water, juice and a selection of fruits at each session, which they can help themselves to.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy exercise and develop a positive approach to this through regular opportunities for outside and indoor physical activity. The session is well organised each day to ensure there is regular opportunity for children's physical development. Children enjoy active games in the play ground such as riding scooters, playing ball games or testing the skills at climbing the activity wall as well as going on outings to the local Sandwell Valley park. Staff are trained to administer first aid to the children if it is required, as they have all updated their training, however they do not always record sufficient details related to how accidents occurred or the areas of injury sustained by the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure environment where they are able to access the toilets safely and easily from the play room. The front door is fitted with a coded locking system and is locked during the session and access is gained by ringing a door bell. Staff maintain some details of the children's attendance for example the times of departure, however they do not record the times children or visitors arrive at the setting. Children use furniture and equipment that is safe and suitable for their ages and abilities and these are checked regularly by staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of accidental injury is generally reduced because staff have an awareness of safety issues within the club. For example, there are clear procedures in the event that a child is lost or a parent fails to pick them up. Electrical appliances are tested regularly. Children are escorted from the main club room to the outdoor play area and staff carry out daily risk assessments before the children use the playground or fields. This means that staff are fully aware of all potential hazards to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good knowledge of child protection issues and their responsibilities in this area. They liaise with the school over any concerns and some staff have undergone child protection training. This helps to protect children.

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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 good. A range of child initiated play opportunities and outings are provided throughout the playscheme programme. These include lots of team games such as football, dodge ball, and trips to places such as Twycross Zoo and the American Adventure Park. Children enjoy the daily craft sessions where they are able to draw, paint or design jewellery from African and Chinese beads. Opportunities for children to select resources or alternative activities if they become bored is good. This means that children are given sufficient opportunities to make independent choices and extend their own ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy attending the playscheme and are settled and happy. Effective procedures are in place to help children settle, such as encouraging them through group or team activities to help them feel secure. Good relationships have been developed and children talk positively about their friends, the staff and what they like doing. Staff are interested in what the children do and say and give positive encouragement to them which helps to raise children's self-esteem and contributes to their sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn to respect each other and adults because of the sound example set by staff. They are encouraged to say please and thank you. Children design a code of conduct sheet which is displayed and lays out what is of expected of them and what is acceptable behaviour. This gives the children a sense of belonging and an understanding of right from wrong. They develop an understanding of the wider world in which they live through the range of resources and activities reflecting this. Displays show children are learning about the customs of people living in countries such as Italy, Australia and Egypt and they have opportunities to taste food when they celebrated Chinese New Year. Children with additional needs are welcomed into the setting. Staff adjust activities accordingly to ensure all children are included and can achieve. They work with parents and other agencies to support children's learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children's behaviour is exemplary. They are courteous to each other and adults such as staff and the inspector. Staff have a calm approach and ensure children are well occupied. Information gained from parents, about their children, at the start of the placement assists staff in ensuring appropriate care is given. A comprehensive and informative prospectus is given to parents. It includes information on staffing, routines of the club and who is responsible for different areas of child care, such as behaviour management and child protection.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised environment. Indoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. Staff know their roles and responsibilities and effectively implement routines to give children a broad range of experiences. New members of staff are informed about the policies and procedures through effective induction procedures. Children benefit from well deployed staff, who consistently interact with them and give children good support, care and encouragement. This helps them feel secure and confident.

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Organisation

Children benefit from being cared for by staff that have been vetted and have good knowledge and understanding of child development. Staffing ratios support children's care, learning and

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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 play and their ability to take an active part in the setting. The routine is designed to support children having freedom of choice and there are opportunities for spontaneous activities as the children develop their own ideas and play. Children feel confident to initiate their own play and at ease with staff when they ask for help. Relationships are good at all levels.

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Organisation

Children are well cared for through staff implementing policies and having efficient recording procedures in place which protect children's health and well-being. Policy documents are reviewed and updated and all staff are given a folder containing the clubs policies and procedures some of which are displayed for parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The club has made good progress to address the range of resources that reflect positive images by purchasing additional equipment and planning activities to encourage children to learn about their own and other cultures. Although the attendance of staff is now recorded they have not maintained a record of visitors to the setting.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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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 a record is maintained of the attendance of children and visitors and include the times of arrival and departure • ensure records of accidents involving children contain sufficient details of the incident.

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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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