Alpha Out of School/Holiday Club

Alpha Out of School/Holiday Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY298937 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2007 Inspection date Claire, Alexandra Parnell Inspector

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Wyborne Primary School, Footscray Road, London, SE9 2EH Setting Address

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0208 859 3586 Telephone number alpha-chain@fsmail.net E-mail Muibat Popoola Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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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?

The Alpha out of school club has been registered since 2005. It is one of three clubs operated by the Alpha group from local schools providing before and after school and holiday care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club operates from the Wyborne Primary School in Eltham, South East London. It is open from 07:30 till 09:15 every school morning and 15:30 till 18:30 after each school day. It also operates most school holidays from 08:15 until 18:15.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club is registered for 40 children from four years to eight years although some older children attend the club as well. At present there are a total of 25 children that attend the club.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are two members of staff who work with the children on a full time basis. One of these is qualified to level three.

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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 personal hygiene is promoted well. They are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after toileting. Children have access to soap and hand dryers within the bathrooms therefore protecting them from cross infection. Staff regularly check the bathrooms to ensure that resources are always available to promote children's hygiene. Children learn about the importance of good practices through discussion and demonstration. The club's sickness policy is shared openly with parents to prevent the cross infection of illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are robust systems in place to promote the ongoing health needs of children. Parents are requested to give consent for staff to administer short and long term medication to children and clear records are available to demonstrate when this was administered and by who. Accidents are recorded clearly with precise details of the incident, although some entries are not signed by the parents therefore details are not always passed to parents for continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to very healthy and substantial snacks as well as fresh drinking water through out their time in the club. Therefore they are developing a good understanding about healthy diets and making healthy choices. Children openly discuss with staff about the foods they like and dislike. The staff encourage children to try new foods and to be involved in the preparation of snacks and drinks to promote their interest in healthy eating. Staff have access to relevant details about children's dietary requirements to ensure their dietary needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plentiful opportunities to play outside in the fresh air to take part in physical activities. therefore children's physical wellbeing is promoted well at all times. Children have access to a good range of equipment to extend their physical skills, such as bouncers, balls, hoops and large areas of open space. Children also take part in group activities both inside and outside to expel excess energy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a secure and safe environment. Staff take responsibility for checking the environment on a daily basis. They carry out regular risk assessments to ensure that the play space is well maintained so children can play freely without potential hazards. Immediate changes are made to promote children's safety. Good security measures are in place within the setting. Parents use a buzzer system at the playground gate to gain entry. Staff are very vigilant when unknown people arrive to collect children and effectively use agreed password systems to allow children to leave with such people. All visitors are recorded effectively to show who has had access to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have clear table and floor space to extend their play safely. Staff explain to children about tripping hazards and the importance of keeping walk ways free to prevent accidents. Children have safe access to most resources and are aware of requesting inaccessible resources to promote their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from learning about keeping themselves and other children safe. Staff give clear explanations and instructions when children do not use equipment safely, such as running with equipment indoors. They learn about the importance of evacuating the setting quickly

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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 and efficiently in the event of an emergency. These drills are recorded well and evaluated for their effectiveness, to promote children's safety further. Children have regular opportunities, especially during school holidays, to go on trips. The staff carry out lengthy and thorough risk assessment regarding these trips to ensure children's safety is promoted well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted well and children are effectively protected from harm, due to the staff's knowledge and clear understanding of the club's safeguarding procedures. Staff's knowledge is regularly updated through training and cascading of information from other staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children choose from a wide range of activities. Most resources are pre-selected for children allowing them to make choices independently and decide where to play with the activities, either at tables or extend their play on the floor. Children are occupied and content in their play because the staff encourage children to play socially, engaging in the children's play by invitation. Staff use their initiative to extend and develop children's play by introducing new resources and discussing their play with them, such as introducing role play with dressing up clothes. Children's play is informally planned by staff who clearly understand the importance of flexible and adaptable planning. Therefore children feel valued in their play and have the confidence to lead the play themselves or ask for additional resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The club has recently introduced key workers into the systems to enhance the relationship between the children, the school, the staff and the parents, valuing the continuity of care. Staff interact well with the children, engaging them in conversations related to their day, what they have been doing in school and about their life out of school. Children confidently talk about life out of school as the staff take an active interest in their conversations. Children confidently communicate their views about the club saying that they enjoy the time with their friends, playing outside and going on trips.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued for their individuality. Staff get to know children well once they are in the setting. However, children's records do not contain information about their individual backgrounds such as languages spoken at home; therefore, staff are not sufficiently aware of children's needs to enable them to plan prior to children starting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Sufficient systems are in place to support children with disabilities and learning difficulties. Children's needs are carefully assessed and close liaison occurs with the school and parents to meet children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive plentiful positive feedback from staff regarding their acceptable behaviour, therefore children understand the difference between right and wrong. Children have a developing understanding of how to socialise with other children in their play and within the environment. Children confidently negotiate with others and openly apologise when they accept that their behaviour is unacceptable. They are courteous to each other, using good manners, showing consideration towards each other and members of staff.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Parents are welcomed into the setting and openly discuss their child's time there, making children feel confident of good relationships between staff and

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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 parents. Parents make positive comments about the setting and how it supports their responsibilities as working parents. Parents have access to comprehensive information regarding the setting. There is an adequate complaints procedure that guides parents through the steps to take and who to contact if they are not happy about the child care service. Children's records are regularly updated along with consent for additional activities and contracts to ensure a positive professional relationship continues between the club and the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a dedicated team of staff who hold relevant qualifications and clearances to allow unsupervised access to children. A robust recruitment procedure is in place to ensure suitable staff are employed to care for the children. Good contingency plans are in place to ensure ratios are always met and adequately trained and qualified staff work with the children

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Organisation

Children enjoy their time at the club due to the good organisation of the routine and activities. Staff are deployed adequately to ensure all children are supervised and interacted with. Children's attendance is recorded well to show exactly who attends the club at any one time, although it is not always clear which children are under the age of eight. The staff have a clear understanding of their responsibilities to only care for their registered numbers of under eight year olds. Parents and authorised collectors are asked to sign children out of the club to acknowledge their times of attendance. The service is continuously evaluated and changes made by all the staff to ensure the quality of child care is continuously improved.

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Organisation

Children's records and documented details are stored safely and securely. Staff are very aware of confidentiality to promote children's ongoing welfare.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the group was given three recommendations to improve child care practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The first was to develop children's understanding of personal hygiene routines and provide suitable resources for staff and children to access. Children are reminded to wash their hands after toileting and before eating. They have access to soap and dryers to prevent cross infection and to promote their personal hygiene practices. Children now have a clearer understanding of the importance of personal hygiene.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The second was to ensure the deployment of staff takes into consideration effective procedures for the children's toileting and staff ratios are maintained. Most days in school time only two staff are on duty. However, their deployment is well managed and organised to ensure children are well supervised and interacted with at all times to promote their safety and overall welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The third was to include in the child protection policy procedures to protect staff from allegations of abuse and detail a procedure to follow if this were to occur. Staff have attended the latest safeguarding training and updated the procedures statement to reflect the procedure to follow

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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 if allegations are made against them. Therefore staff have a confident knowledge of how to implement safeguarding procedures for children and protecting them from harm.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been one complaints made to Ofsted that requires the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A complaint was received in September 2006 about the behaviour management strategies employed at the setting; these concerns related to National standards1: Suitable person and National standard 11: Behaviour management. During the visit, the planning and the provision of activities was found to be inadequate.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider responded to Ofsted detailing steps that had been taken to meet these actions. Ofsted was satisfied that by taking these steps the provider met the National Standards and remains qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed..

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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. The provider has a record of this complaint available and accessible to parents.

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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 accident records are signed by parents to acknowledge sharing of information and continuity of care • Improve children's records to include further detail, such as language spoken at home, to ensure their individual needs are reflected in care

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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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