Princetown Community Primary School

Allsorts After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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147494 Unique Reference Number 26 July 2007 Inspection date Anahita Aderianwalla Inspector

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48-50 Victoria Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN4 9PE Setting Address

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E-mail

NEW BARNET COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 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?

Allsorts Club After School Club has been registered since April 1995.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group is run by New Barnet Community Association, a voluntary organisation and registered charity. The group operates a after school club from 15:00 until 17:45 and school holiday play scheme from 08:00 until 15:45. It is situated in a single storey building also used by various New Barnet Community Centre groups. The group has use of the large rear garden for outdoor play and the community centre minibus for outings.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Allsorts Club is registered for 40 children from five to eight years and also takes children over eight years up to the age of 11 years. It is a setting which offers care to children with a range of abilities, and provides additional staff to support the policy of integration for those children with learning difficulties and or disabilities. The play scheme works closely with IPOP (Inclusive Play Opportunity Project). The centre manager has day to day responsibility for the group and is supernumerary. There is a named deputy and special needs co-ordinator.

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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 learn the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines and discussion. Children wash their hands before and after meal times. Staff implement stringent hygiene procedures to help prevent the possible spread of infection. For example, tables are cleaned before lunch and snack times to protect the children and themselves. Children's health is promoted effectively because all staff have a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if an accident occurs and the administration of medication. However the time when the accident occurred is not written in the accident book. Parents are required to sign the records to ensure they are fully informed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of fresh foods that are prepared at snack time by the children. For example, pizzas, sandwiches, pasta, French breads and a variety of fruits. They benefit from the good quality interaction with the staff and enjoy the social part of snack time. Children and staff sit together and talk about the type of food they are eating and what is good for them. All children's allergies, medical, cultural needs and parental preferences are clearly recorded in the children's individual information files. The information is shared with staff at team meetings to ensure everyone is fully aware of the children's individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have ample opportunities to develop their large muscle skills through a wide range of physical activities during the sessions. The sports room is set up with large equipment such as two table-football games, a sand pit and a large table-tennis table. Children ride wheeled toys, climb on two climbing frames in the outside playground.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a safe and secure environment. Children learn about possible dangers through daily routines and activities, such as picking up resources that fall to the floor, preventing other children from tripping over. Children's safety is promoted effectively because staff carry out risk assessments before the children arrive. There is an induction morning for all children, where all the fire exits, a guide of the premises, its facilities and safety rules are pointed out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The setting provides an extensive range of equipment, toys and resources which are in good condition helping to ensure the children are safe and fully occupied. Children are well protected; staff have a good understanding of child protection procedures. They would recognise the possible signs of abuse and act appropriately regarding any concerns. However, no procedure is in place if an allegation was made against a staff member. Very clear and safe procedures are in place for the collection of children. Parents collect their children from the main play room and sign out to ensure all children are accompanied by their parents or carers when they leave the site. Written and verbal permission is given for others to collect children and the staff ask to see the relevant identification to ensure they are authorised before releasing a child, helping to keep them safe and secure.

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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. Children are confident, independent and are developing their self-esteem. All children have their individual needs met and they are developing a good range of knowledge and skills because they are involved in a broad range of planned activities. This is achieved by staff providing a wide range of activities which can be adapted to meet the needs of all abilities. For example, they are provided with many interesting activities, such as making homes from all types of materials. Older children had made papier-mâché houses, and younger children made homes from junk materials. The manager and staff plan in advance and ask the children what interests them. This allows a lot the play to be child-initiated.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the staff's friendly and approachable manner, ensuring all the children are able to ask for different activities to extend their play opportunities. Staff interact exceptionally well, sitting on the floor or sitting at tables, talking with the children, fully participating and encouraging the children to join in. Children are valued as individuals; the staff differentiate activities and resources effectively taking each child's abilities and needs into account, providing additional support when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities are planned to enable younger children to be members of a social group and to be involved with the older children. Staff listen to and respond to all children appropriately, providing good opportunities to meet their emotional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the staff's clear understanding of equal opportunities; they differentiate the activities well, encouraging the children to share and take turns. Staff find out about the children's individual needs through detailed discussion with the parents. Staff plan the sessions with the individual children's needs in mind. Children with disabilities have access to a balanced range of activities and are able to work and play alongside their peers. Tables are height adjustable and all areas are accessible.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave extremely well because staff create an environment that encourages children to respect boundaries and begin to control their own behaviour. They benefit from a calm and supportive approach and learn right from wrong through careful explanation and consistency.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff are positive role models and continually praise and encourage the children, reinforcing their good behaviour. They get down to the children's level and give clear explanations so the children can see they have been treated fairly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from good relationships between the staff and their parents. Strong lines of communication flow freely, ensuring the needs of the children are being met regularly. Staff share information about the children's time at the setting when parents come to collect the children. Parents are exceptionally well informed about all aspects of their children's time at the summer club.

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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 good. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. Staff ratios are high and provide good quality support for the children. The daily routines are well organised, ensuring the children are engaged and have a lot of choices. All children are busy and occupied throughout the session. The staff team work well together and build strong relationships with the children. This provides a relaxed and fun environment for the children, ensuring they all enjoy their time at the club. All of the required paperwork is in place and most is well-maintained, meeting the requirements of registration. However, the attendance register does not include the times of arrivals or departure for children and staff. Children are protected from harm as the staff are aware of the importance of ensuring that all staff are vetted and visitors are not left unattended with children in the setting. Overall all children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to ensure effective vetting procedures were put in place for staff, and staff acquired the required qualifications. The setting has effective vetting procedures in place, and the manager has an action plan in place that tracks all staff qualifications and is reviewed regularly. The setting was asked to ensure that adequate toilet facilities and changing facilities should be in place. They now have toilets that are kept clean, and there is a separate toilet that caters for nappy changing facilities, to meet all children's requirements.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The setting was asked to ensure that the complaints procedure contains required information for parents. They have now put in place a detailed information sheet for parents with a clear complaints procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The setting was asked to undertake regular risk assessments for all areas accessible to children in and outside of the setting. The play scheme have regular risk assessments which protect the children in the setting and on outings.

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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.

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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.

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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 there are clear procedures for action if an allegation is made against a staff member • ensure that the record of attendance includes the arrival and departure times of children, staff and visitors on the premises

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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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