Little B's After School

Little B's After School Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY289006 Unique Reference Number 24 April 2007 Inspection date Lynda, Margaret Ronan Inspector

p.1

Demountable Building Oldfield Brow Primary School, Taylor Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4LR

p.1

E-mail

Julie Battle Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Little B's After School registered in 2004. It operates from a demountable building within the grounds of Oldfield Brow Primary School. It is situated in Altrincham, a suburb of Trafford. The facilities include a large playroom with doors leading to an enclosed outdoor play area and a television, games and reading room.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The out of school club opens Monday to Friday from 15.15 to 18.00, term time only. It serves the school. The holiday care scheme opens Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 18.00. It serves the local community.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club is registered for 35 children from three to eight years. Currently there are 20 children on roll in the after school facility, most of whom attend for a variety of sessions during the week.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a bank of seven staff employed to work with the children, five of whom have a suitable childcare qualification.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn effectively about keeping healthy through experience and discussion. They thoroughly enjoy the hot, appetising, home-cooked meals provided and are able to access fresh fruit and drinks throughout the session. They discuss how exercise on a trampoline and sleep contribute to their well-being and experience playing actively outside. Procedures for the transportation of hot food however are unclear.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Staff ensure that individual children's and the group's needs are met by recording and updating information regarding children's health and adapting their practice accordingly. All documents regarding children's health and welfare are comprehensive and they are consistently completed and shared with parents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Good hygiene practices safeguard children. Staff are aware of and conscientiously follow good procedures, for example, by wearing aprons to prepare and serve food, cleaning tables before and after use and washing their hands. Children also rigorously apply good hygiene practice, occasionally pointing out to staff that they have done so, for example, assuring staff before they have chance to ask that yes they have washed their hands before sitting down to eat.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good, well planned space allows children to move and play freely and concurrently in a variety of ways. Sufficient good quality furniture is available and the provision of comfortable furniture provides a relaxed 'home from home' atmosphere. The room is attractively presented by the children, whose work and posters are visible on every wall.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All the good quality toys and equipment are accessible to children. Children are actively encouraged to be independent and responsible by staff displaying and organising toys and books attractively and by discussing with children at circle time what they might do. All the toys accessed and put away during the observed session were accessed and put away by the children, this is an excellent promotion of independence and responsibility.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe because the premises are secure and staff closely supervise children at all times. Staff are vigilant about children's safety; they risk assess the outside area before allowing children to use it and are quick to spot children potentially putting themselves at risk. For example, by children sitting with only two legs of the chair on the ground and they sensitively discuss possible outcomes and remedies.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as staff have a good understanding of child protection procedures and work closely and effectively with parents and the school.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Good care is given to children by the staff who enjoy the children's company and listen attentively to children's accounts of the joys and woes of their days. Staff give support and encouragement to children, for example, by ensuring younger children have all their possessions

p.3

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 and that all children are included in the play. As a result, children are secure and happy in the club and report they love coming to club.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Each day starts with a group meeting as a family. Children discuss their news, hopes and wishes and successes and disasters. Children take an interest in each other, offer helpful suggestions to those that have had a bad day and support younger children in activities and tasks. Children often play in mixed age groups. The open and friendly atmosphere created in the group by the skilled staff, successfully supports children's social skills.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children choose what they wish to do at the club. They decide on themes and projects at club time and these have included decorating the wall as a jungle, designing and making hot air balloons and model making. Children eagerly access a wide variety of activities which include playing the keyboard; soft ball inside; imaginatively with a car and garage; on the computers; organised games outside and baking. Some children state they would like the opportunity to play outside throughout the session, not just after a snack. Staff enthusiastically join in but also are skilled at recognising times their support is not needed, nor wanted. Staff's full attention is given to the children throughout the session.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children attending the holiday scheme have the opportunity to join in activities, such as, football tournaments and circuit training, these are led by visiting sports specialists.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The staff have built a strong partnership with the parents. Staff and parents effectively share their knowledge of the children and work together to provide good consistent care for children. For example, if there is a difficulty with behaviour, staff and parents arrive at a shared consistent approach and monitor the situation between them. All the parents spoken with are very positive about the setting and report that their children are made to feel special, that children are treated as individuals and that their children do not want to go home.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff share informative written information with parents and record useful information about the children which aids staff to effectively meet the individual needs of the children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn through activities such as club time and through toys and book resources to be accepting and supportive of differences. For example, they have designed a welcome poster in different languages and discuss the different countries represented on their calendar.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved. Staff support children to resolve their own issues, for example, who had the car first. Strong emphasis is placed upon being caring and polite. The staff provide excellent role models and challenge inappropriate use of language, such as, 'shut up' and also remind children if they forget 'please' or 'thank you'.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from consistent care offered by an established and experienced staff group who work well together as a team. The staff have shared clear objectives and this provides children with a secure environment in which to play and learn.

p.4

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 Management ensure all staff are vetted as suitable to work with children before employment in the setting. Management have planned to provide a bank of staff to cover illnesses and holidays which means children are familiar with all the staff. Children benefit from regular opportunities to interact with known adults.

p.4

Organisation

All legally required documentation is in place. Documentation is reviewed and monitored to ensure children's needs are met. Policies and procedures are clear and easily understood, staff have a secure understanding of what is expected of them. The group work closely with the school to promote children's well-being.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made in relation to children's health and safety, the organisation of the setting and the promotion of positive contribution. Children's health and safety is further promoted because staff now have a secure knowledge of child protection procedures, a person qualified in first aid is always available and children receive a healthy and nutritious snack each evening. Children learn to make a positive contribution to society looking at posters, reading books and discussing differences in culture, lifestyle and abilities. Children are protected because volunteers and new staff receive an induction which includes health and safety and child protection. This remains unrecorded by the setting, however, the registered person has agreed to request volunteers and new staff to sign a declaration recording their induction.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 the transportation of hot food is safe and suitable, for example, by seeking advice from Environmental Health • plan to extend the opportunities children have to freely choose between outdoor and indoor play.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.6