Crash After School Club

Crash After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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251457 Unique Reference Number 24 April 2007 Inspection date Deirdra Keating Inspector

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Clifford Road Primary School, Clifford Road,(North East), Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1PJ

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Setting Address

01473 213356 Telephone number crash.afterschool@ntlworld.com E-mail Crash After School Club 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 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?

Crash Out of School Club and Holiday Club is managed by a volunteer management committee. It opened in 1995 and operates from two rooms at Clifford Road Primary School in Ipswich. The after school club primarily serves the children from Clifford Road School, however, others may also attend. The group opens five days a week during school term times and five days a week during holiday time. The breakfast club is open from 07:45 until 08:35 with an after school session from 15:20 until 18:00. The holiday club sessions are from 08:00 until 18:00 during the school holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The out of school club is registered for a maximum of 22 children and there are currently 90 children attending on a part-time basis aged from four to 11 years. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are eight part-time staff working with the children in the out of school club and four part-time staff in the holiday club. Four members of staff have recognised early years qualifications. There are three members of staff currently working towards a recognised early years 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's health is promoted well as the setting follows careful and consistent procedures that are documented and shared with parents. Children learn about good hygiene practices through regular routines. All children wash their hands as they arrive in order to have their snack. Clear policies and signed consents are all in place to positively promote children's health. Accidents and medication requirements are all recorded accurately and signed off by parents. A well stocked first aid kit is readily available and all staff have first aid training which ensures that children receive appropriate care in the event of an accident or emergency. The kitchen area is clean and maintained to a high standard by staff who have food hygiene training. Written guidelines remind all staff about best hygiene practice when preparing snacks for children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their dietary needs met and increase their understanding of healthy living through the provision of healthy and nutritious snacks. This is further reinforced with fun topics that increase children's understanding of the benefit of good healthy food. Individual dietary requirements are provided in written agreements from parents. Packed lunches that are brought from home are stored at correct temperatures. Children are provided with jugs of water and squash during snack times, however drinks are not freely available throughout the rest of the session. Healthy fresh snacks are prepared with the children who enthusiastically cut up fresh vegetables. These are enjoyed during a relaxed snack time where all children sit down with staff and socialise together. They interact well as they help each other by pouring drinks out and offering freshly chopped vegetables around the tables.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy free access to the large playground where they enjoy a wide range of activities. Exciting and innovative ideas planned by staff and children enable children to have fun and exercise out in the fresh air. Team games, water fights and a bouncy castle are all provided during the holiday club. Children spend the majority of their time outside during warmer months. Obstacle courses, races and climbing apparatus all enable children to get exercise and develop their physical skills. Staff enthusiastically join in and provide good role models as they skip, run and play hide and seek with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, in two rooms used by the school and located in the school playground. Staff meet children in the school hall to collect them and escort them back to the after school provision. Children are registered in the hall by staff who are careful to ensure they are all accounted for. The environment is warm and welcoming with colourful displays covering all the walls. Resources are laid out attractively on tables in order that children can choose activities as they sit and wait for their snack. All equipment is planned and put out daily which enables children to choose how they spend their time promoting their independence and decision making. There is plenty of space to enable children to eat and play together comfortably. The rooms are light and airy with very good ventilation through large high windows that can be opened as required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A wide range of equipment is planned and rotated to maintain children's interest and provide stimulating and challenging activities. Daily risk assessments before children arrive ensure that potential hazards are minimised. Equipment is well maintained and checked regularly to ensure

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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 children's safety. Children are kept safe on outings with good adult to child ratios and forward planning. Detailed operational procedures for outings are well planned and documented. Written consents from parents are provided for all outings and road safety issues are discussed with children prior to going out. Fire safety equipment is all in place and drills are practiced and recorded. Access to the provision is carefully monitored and visitors sign in and out. Children are protected well from harm by trained and knowledgeable staff who have a good understanding of their role in safeguarding children. Relevant documentation is all in place and this ensures that correct procedures can be followed should a concern about a child arise. Good clear information is displayed for staff and parents in order to protect children from potential harm

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy at the club. They relish their time and have formed excellent relationships with the staff who are caring and fun. Children are kind to one another and interact well as they happily enjoy the broad range of appealing activities that are planned for them. Children choose how to spend their time from a range of pleasing child-led and adult-led activities. Craft, paint, white boards, markers and small world play are all laid out before the children arrive. Computers, board games and a quiet area resourced with books and pens for homework make up the rich array of activities on offer. A comfortable book corner gives children a chance to relax quietly should they wish. Children have many opportunities to enjoy messy play they plant cress, paint, and make junk models. Older children relish the planned supervised water fights, and enjoy quizzes and talent shows during holiday club activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are secure and settled in the routine and are clearly happy. Staff are extremely proactive in getting feedback from the children in order to plan activities starting with their interests. Evaluations from the children highlight favourite activities and trips that the children particularly enjoy. During the holidays an excellent range of trips out include bowling and visiting the museum. Team sports are provided outside where the children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills. Balls, bats, hoops and skipping ropes are all provided for outdoor play. Play dough, clay and plasticene modelling enables children to manipulate different materials and explore their creative skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children in this setting are valued and have an excellent sense of belonging. Staff warmly welcome children and have built up extremely positive relationships with them. They know children and their families very well and are intuitive of their individual needs. Activities are inclusive to all children and staff offer sensitively tailored support as and when required. The children play an extremely active part in the club and have developed colourful displays about being kind to one another. The atmosphere is caring, children help one another and are careful to be inclusive in their play. This is facilitated well by staff who provide calm and gentle role models and encourage children to respect one another. Children become aware of diversity through planned activities celebrating cultural events such as Chinese New Year where they make dragons and lanterns. A good range of resources reflects positive images of wider society

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and helps children understand their differences and similarities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The setting has an extremely positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Staff have a good understanding of how to best support children and work

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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 closely with parents to meet the individual needs of the child. Comprehensive and clear policies underpin practice and provide specific guidelines to the behavioural expectations of the setting. There are a few simple rules and behaviour is consistently good throughout the session. Excellent strategies include colourful and child-friendly timers which are used to share activities fairly. There are a few simple rules which are adapted well to incorporate the different aged children that attend the club. Children using the computer are asked to sign in as they start in order to stick to the time agreed with staff. Any incidents are recorded and signed by parents at the end of the session.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are warmly welcomed into the setting and are clearly at home and relaxed as they collect their children. A verbal exchange at the end of the day ensures an appropriate response to children's ever changing needs. Parents are provided with extensive information about the provision. A weekly board detailing all snacks is displayed. Questionnaires sent out to parents enable staff to evaluate their provision and practice. An extremely informative notice board for parents gives up to date and relevant information including a correct complaints procedure. Feedback from parents in questionnaires and at the time of inspection is extremely positive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by experienced adults who are motivated, dedicated and have had all necessary checks to ensure children's safety and wellbeing. Good effective policies underpin all aspects of practice. Children are settled and secure with good deployment of staff who work directly with children throughout the session. The environment is well-organised and welcoming with creative use made of the space. Children's care, learning and play is supported well by the policies and procedures within the operational plan. Clear job descriptions and an effective appraisal system ensure that staff are all aware of their roles and responsibilities. The manager has a good understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with the details of the registration.

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Organisation

Comprehensive recruitment procedures ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and have a good knowledge of child development. Staff evaluate the provision well to highlight strengths and weaknesses and identify areas for improvement. Staff are committed, well qualified and work extremely well together to form a dynamic team. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to ensure that parents countersign the written record of medication administered to children. This has been addressed and an accurate record of medication has been maintained and signed off by parents. This ensures that children's health is not compromised.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 that fresh drinking water is available to children at all times.

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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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