St Anne's Funhouse

St Anne's Stay and Play

Inspection report for early years provision

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St Anne's Stay and Play

Unique Reference Number 205447 Inspection date 09 June 2005 Inspector Anne Georgina Phillips

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St Anne's Stay and Play

Setting Address The Bungalow & Main Building, St Anne's C of E First School,Wyre Hill, Bewdley, Worcs, DY12 2HX Telephone number 01299 400116

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E-mail

Registered person St Anne's Stay & Play Ltd Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School 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 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?

St Anne's Stay & Play Out of School Club opened in 1996. It operates from a self-contained bungalow and grounds within the perimeter of St Anne's First and Middle Schools. The setting may use the hall and toilet facilities of the Middle School if numbers of children attending require this. The club is situated on the western outskirts of Bewdley and serves the local area. It has an enclosed outdoor area with play equipment and some all weather and safety surfacing. There is a gate to the school field where older children can play while supervised by staff. The club is managed by a voluntary management committee and has a committee of parents that meet regularly.

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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 There are currently 69 children from 4 to 12 years on the roll of the after-school club and the holiday club. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting has access and facilities for wheelchair users and supports children with special needs. It opens five days a week all year round subject to a minimum number of places being filled during school holidays. Sessions operate between 07.45 and 08.45, and 15.00 and 18.00 during term-time, and 07.45 and 18.00 during school holidays. Eight part-time staff work with the children. Three of the staff hold early years qualifications to NVQ level 3. A further member of staff is will shortly begin working towards a recognised qualification and another has many years experience working with children in the group and has attended several relevant short courses. An action

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

plan is in place to recruit and train more staff. More than three quarters of the staff hold a relevant first-aid qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a generally clean environment. They use clean equipment and are good at washing their hands before sitting down for their snack but are not as careful at observing good hygiene practices after using the toilets. Children are well nourished. They have good access to varied, substantial snacks and drinks e.g. choice of sandwiches, bread and butter and apples all replenished as children eat them up enthusiastically. Children's individual needs are known and respected e.g. details of allergies are readily accessible to staff preparing food. Children readily help themselves to drinks after active play. Children enjoy good opportunities to be physically active or rest and relax. They join in energetically with supervised football on the adjacent main field, use the climbing equipment in the garden or play with bats, rackets and balls. Others 'chill out' with

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Helping children to be healthy

books and dressing up, playing on the computer or with table games such as battleships or card games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children well cared for in a light, welcoming, child friendly indoor and outdoor environment. Children are learning to keep themselves safe by observing the safety rules within the setting e.g. not playing on the ramp bars in case they fall, not retrieving lost balls without adult supervision and practising emergency drills regularly. They are supervised well by staff who are alert and constantly check and monitor their safety. Children use suitable and safe equipment. It is clean, in good condition, varied and interesting to them. Safety surfacing under outdoor play equipment helps reduce the risk of injury to children if they fall.

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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 are protected appropriately because supervisory staff are experienced and understand their role in child protection. Most staff are able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary but some staff are not aware of the setting's written procedures and guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, well settled and involved. They form relaxed, friendly relationships with the staff and each other. They come in confidently stowing their school bags and joining in a sociable snack time where they share information about their day. Staff are friendly, approachable and interested in the children so that individuals feel valued and at home. Children are independent and have good access to a wide range of planned and free play activities with a good balance of active, interactive, and quiet play. Activities provide good level of interest and challenge to children e.g. imaginative and active play outdoors including good sized sturdy outdoor equipment. Children actively direct their snack and activity times, playing for long periods at chosen activities. They confidently make choices about what they do, direct their own play and access resources easily. They acquire new knowledge and skills e.g. doing the trivia quiz.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are well behaved. They make very positive relationships with staff and each other. They join up in groups to play actively or quietly. They develop a good understanding of the boundaries and limits for behaviour and have developed and drafted their own club rules which are displayed for reference and sometimes reinforced at group times. Staff act as good role models by giving explanations and helping children to negotiate. Children preferring to play alone are supported by sensitive adults.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Staff know individual children and their needs well so that all children are actively welcomed, supported and included. Children see positive reflections of diversity in play resources which promote their understanding of the wider world. They are treated with respect and learning to respect the needs of others. Children are developing a good understanding of responsible behaviour. They understand and contribute to the boundaries and rules of the club. They share and play well together e.g. at football, with the computer and playing battleships. They form and maintain good friendships that enhance their play and enjoyment. Good relationships between staff and parents and regular newsletters ensure that information about children's needs is shared effectively.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's needs are met through generally effective organisation. Satisfactory recruitment and vetting procedures and a high ratio of first aid trained staff ensure children are appropriately protected and cared for by staff who demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of child development. However, the club is still unable to meet the current qualification requirements. There are well drafted written policies and procedures in place to protect children, promote their well being and support their development but these are not known to a few staff and not always readily accessible for reference by staff and parents. The arrival times of children and the departure times of staff are not always clear. Staff and committee changes are not always notified promptly to Ofsted. Children are happy and settled in the welcoming setting because staff plan and organise a balanced, interesting and accessible child friendly environment. Children

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Organisation

are independent, confident to make choices and contribute to rules and boundaries. The smooth running of sessions, and well deployed, observant and sensitive staff ensure that children are carefully supervised and their individual children's needs are met. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children that attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the setting has improved children's awareness of a wider community by extending the positive images of diversity, especially those reflecting disability. Children are better protected because child protection procedures are now detailed and comprehensive and medication records meet the requirements. However, staff access to procedures could be improved. The club no longer has use of a vehicle and so does not need to hold specific records. The arrangements for recording arrival and departure times at the group have been improved but it is still not always clear exactly when individual children are present or when staff leave. The club continues to strive to meet the qualification requirements for staff although a lack of training opportunities and recent staff changes mean that an updated action plan is being implemented.

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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

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 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): • improve children's awareness of good health and hygiene by ensuring that they have access to and use good hand washing facilities at all times • implement the updated action plan to improve staff qualifications so that they meet the requirements • further improve the recording of children and staff arrival and departure times so that it is clear when they are present in the setting • improve the information available to parents, and ensure that all staff have a thorough knowledge of, and good access to, the written operating policies and procedures at all times • ensure that Ofsted is kept up to date with staff and committee changes promptly.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures 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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