The Church of God of Prophecy Playscheme and After School ClubOfsted inspection, 12 Jul 2005

Playscheme/After School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Playscheme/After School Club

Unique Reference Number 224887 Inspection date 12 July 2005 Inspector Patricia Webb

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Playscheme/After School Club

Setting Address 1 Gloucester Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 0PT

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E-mail

Registered person Gloucester Street Community Centre Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day 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?

The Church of God of Prophecy After School Club and Play Scheme has been registered in its current form since 2001. It operates from Gloucester Street Community Centre using the large sports hall and three smaller rooms. There is also a kitchen, toilets and large outdoor play area. The setting provides a service to the local community and serves children from 10 schools in Wolverhampton and the surrounding areas. The setting is registered to care for 50 children at any one time. There are currently 50 children on the roll of whom 18 are aged under 8 years. Children attend for a

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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 variety of sessions. The after school club opens five days a week from 15:00 to 18:00 during term time. The play scheme runs in school holidays from 08:00 to 18:00, first four weeks of the summer holidays and all other school holidays. The club supports children with special needs. Six staff work with children, a third of whom have early years qualifications. The setting receives support from the local authority, early years team and charity organisations.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s health and well-being are promoted and developed through effective routines familiar to them. They understand the importance of following good personal hygiene and are encouraged to take responsibility in ensuring facilities are clean and safe for others to use. Children settle easily on arrival from school as they enjoy their meals and snacks. They confidently express their preferences and understand the importance of a healthy diet as staff offer a varied and nutritious menu. Meals are always prepared and ready for the children and they relish the social interaction as they chat with their friends over their meals, discussing the rigours of their school day. Dietary needs are addressed appropriately as particular requirements are recorded and shared with all staff involved in the preparation of the food. Children have very good opportunities to access a wide range of physical activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

They practise their skills at rollerblading guided by staff who ensure that children are aware of the safety precautions necessary. Football and practising dance routines are favourite activities as the children take pride in sharing their progress. They enjoy climbing, running and developing team games as they visit local venues and access equipment that sets challenges and extends their skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are suitably protected as they relax in the clean and well maintained premises. They make choices about which activities they wish to engage in as they move freely from room to room utilising the space available in a positive way. They are safe as most risks and hazards are appropriately addressed. However, although risk assessments are carried out, these are not recorded and consequently some hazards are not sufficiently identified and addressed. For example, safety covers are missing from some electrical sockets in each of the main bases and fire drills are not formally recorded. This hinders how effectively staff could identify areas

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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 for improvement particularly in some of the emergency procedures. Although accidents are recorded, parents are not asked to sign the book as a record of having been informed. Children are developing an awareness of their own safety as staff encourage them to make assessments for themselves. They discuss the reasons for not talking to strangers and know the codes for road safety as they access local parks and venues. Children are well protected as staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines (ACPC). Staff are keenly aware of their conduct and their roles and responsibilities in reporting any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children relish their time in the out of school club. They are settled and relaxed in the friendly and familiar routine that is often dictated by their moods and preferences. They are confident that staff will respond to their ideas for some activities such as deciding that as the weather was nice they would go to the local park a short distance away. They engage in enjoyable and meaningful activities as they arrange football tournaments and devise dance routines, allowing staff to join in if they wish! Children develop their independence as they make choices about their play and activity, confident in the knowledge that they can relax and chill out after school. They develop their imagination and communication skills as they barter over the swaps in their picture cards and discuss the strengths and talents of the individual characters depicted on them. They express their ideas and preferences for some of the more organised trips

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

recalling past visits with enjoyment. A wide range of varied and stimulating activity ensures that children are busy and interested in what they do. They are setting up a computer club and are being consulted with regard to the purchase of some new equipment to extend their activities and experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enter the setting confidently as they know the familiar routine well. They develop strong and trusting relationships with staff and with each other as they share the happenings of the day. They have time allocated for total relaxation without adult intervention once they have finished their meals. They take advantage of this to build firm friendships and share their thoughts and ideas at their own pace. Detailed information on each child is recorded and results in their individual needs being identified and appropriately addressed. Children are confident that their needs and preferences are valued and respected as they make choices and decisions about their play and activity. They develop an awareness of their local community visiting amenities in the area

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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 such as adventure playgrounds, the library and local art galleries. This develops a sense of history and belonging, developing their awe and wonder at their environment. Children benefit from the commitment of the management to create a team of staff that is representative of the social and cultural groups using the setting. The clear and detailed equal opportunities policy is shared with parents to ensure all parties are aware of the expectations and ethos of the club. Children's self-esteem is fostered very positively as they share their skills and talents with each other and the staff and take pride in their efforts. This is encouraged regardless of age or ability and ensures that all children develop a strong sense of self worth. Behaviour is exemplary as children demonstrate good manners and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

respect for themselves and each other. A positive partnership with parents contributes to children’s well-being in the club. Parents receive a warm welcome into the setting and have copies of the clear polices and procedures outlining the operation and ethos of the setting. This fosters a sense of mutual trust leading to an effective exchange of information taking place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s care, welfare and play are enhanced by the staff’s commitment to providing positive experiences for them. They enjoy the space and freedom to participate in a range of activities that acknowledges their interests and their ages and stages of development. The individual skills and talents of members of staff are identified and utilised effectively when planning activities for the children such as sporting activities and dancing as well as art and craft. However, some of the staff qualifications do not yet meet the requirements as outlined in the National Standards for Childminding and Day Care. The manager currently only has a level 2 qualification in playwork and is working towards a level 3 qualification in child care and education. The recording of the attendance of children and staff is erratic and fails to demonstrate clearly how staffing ratios for children

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Organisation

under 8 years of age are consistently met. The record of visitors to the setting is not maintained hindering how effective staff could be in checking a person's suitability to be on the premises when the club is operating. Staff are enthusiastic, supporting and guiding the children with skill and respect. They receive effective induction regarding the policies and procedures and are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Overall, the needs of the range of children attending the club are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection recommended that the setting records any fire drills, obtains parent signatures in the accident book, provides parents with details of contacting Ofsted in the event of a complaint, develops staff knowledge of child

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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 protection procedures and provides Ofsted with evidence of appropriate insurance on one of the vehicles used for transporting the children. The staff are now fully aware of the child protection procedures and are committed to acting in the best interests of the children. The necessary insurance documents for all the vehicles used by the club are maintained on site and available for inspection at any time. Parents receive information in the pack of polices and procedures that outlines how they would make a complaint. Information regarding contacting Ofsted is clearly set out in this document. The concerns regarding the recording of any fire drills or obtaining parents signatures on accident records are still not in place and have been re-addressed as recommendations at this inspection.

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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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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): • complete written risk assessments demonstrating how hazards are identified and the risks to children minimised. Include written recording of any fire drills undertaken • ensure that parents sign the accident book as and when necessary • develop an action plan detailing how the manager will achieve a level 3 qualification by December 2005 • ensure that the attendance records for children and staff accurately record times of arrival and departure and that a record of visitors to the setting is maintained.

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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 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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