K@Boom Before and After School Club and Holiday Club

ST. FRANCIS OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB

Inspection report for early years provision

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ST. FRANCIS OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB

Unique Reference Number 509380 Inspection date 11 August 2005 Inspector Anne Felicity Taylor

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ST. FRANCIS OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB

Setting Address St. Francis Centre, Sycamore Road, Bournville, Birmingham, West Midlands, B30 2AA Telephone number 0121 472 7215

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E-mail

Registered person D Lofas 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 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?

St Francis Out of School Club has been registered since 1994. It is located at St Francis Centre in Bournville, Birmingham. The club operates from three large play areas and a quiet room on the lower ground floor. There is a safely enclosed garden for outdoor play and activities. The club is registered for 60 children aged 4-8 years; the group admits children up to the age of 15 years. The club operates a before and after school facility and a play scheme during school holidays.

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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 The before and after school club operates from 08:00 to 08:50 and 15:20 to 18:00 on week days in term time and is open to children who attend Bournville Infant and Junior School. The play scheme operates during school holidays from 07:00 until 18:00 daily. The play scheme is open to the whole community. Children use local open spaces and parks regularly and have the opportunity to go swimming.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health within the setting is supported well as staff encourage children in effective personal hygiene routines, for example, hand washing after using the toilet and before eating. They are cared for well should they have an accident or become ill because staff with first aid training are always on site and contact details for each child are in place. Children's well-being is monitored closely by staff and good procedures are in place for the administration of medication, keeping parents fully informed. Prior consent to administer medication is not in place. Children develop independence skills well, organising their own belongings and getting prepared for outdoor play, for example discussing whether sun protection is needed. Children understand the importance of keeping themselves healthy with plenty of drinks and a healthy diet, for example, drinks are easily available from first thing in

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Helping children to be healthy

the morning and throughout the day. Staff ensure children drink after physical exertion or when they are out on walks and trips, for example after swimming. Parents provide all meals and snacks and children are encouraged to eat well as staff join them for lunch. Children's dietary needs are always met as procedures ensure that all staff are clear about a child's individual needs. Staff with food hygiene training ensure that parents are fully informed about cool storage for lunch boxes. Children enjoy a wide variety of physical play, for example hockey and rounders games in the large hall. They develop very good physical skills and coordination enjoying dance routines. Children anticipate their swimming trip with great excitement and plan a trip to the local park to play football with staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure and confident in the club environment where there is plenty of space and easy access to the outdoor play area. Children benefit from the policies and procedures in place to ensure their safety, for example arrival and departure procedures, registration and the security of the building. Risk assessments for all areas and activities are not in place and there is no procedure to review them regularly.

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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 enjoy the wide range of appropriate play equipment which is well maintained and cleaned regularly. Children are comfortable requesting specific items and activities, organising their own play with friends. They have easy access to a lot of equipment. Staff are deployed well, ensuring children are safe and supervised in all areas at all times. Children have been involved in developing the club rules and consequently develop an awareness of staying safe, for example not running indoors in order to avoid collisions and accidents. They are given regular opportunities to discuss and practice emergency evacuation. Fire safety equipment is checked regularly and the fire log completed. Children stay safe when they are collected from school as appropriate procedures are in place, for example, a member of club staff is at every school exit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's knowledge of road safety is reinforced as they are escorted to and from school. Children's welfare is safeguarded as senior staff have a sound understanding of child protection policies and procedures and are able to recognise abuse and neglect. All staff complete child protection training. The child protection policy does not include professional abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and happy in the club's welcoming environment. They respond well as they are greeted personally by staff and settle quickly to the wide variety of activities provided. Children build strong relationships with their peers and with staff, enabling them to take part in organised or supervised activities or to plan and organise their own play and have lots of fun. Children enjoy discussing the plans for the day and develop confidence as they request specific activities, for example, a karaoke session. There is a wide range of resources which spark the children's interest and keep them busy, for example, making story books and playing pool. All the children benefit from active physical play indoors and outdoors. They are able to take full advantage of local parks and open spaces for walks and organised ball games; they appreciate the active participation of the staff. Many children enjoy completing art and craft activities, discussing shape

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and colour confidently with staff as they paint their clay pots. They anticipate a trip to the local park for football and their regular swimming session with excitement. Children develop strong relationships as they chat and play together, while staff provide unobtrusive supervision. Children are offered appropriate interesting activities because staff have regular planning meetings, communicate well and respond flexibly to the requests of the children, effectively ensuring the children's well-being and enjoyment.

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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 Children are developing respectful relationships with staff and each other because the staff are very good role models and encourage kindness and consideration. Children's confidence and self-esteem increases in the calm environment, as they select activities and talk to staff, voicing their opinions and choices. Children are proud of their artwork and look forward to showing it to their parents. They appreciate the praise offered when they help each other and respond to requests from staff. Children behave very well within the boundaries set by staff and the club rules they have developed themselves. Parents and children complete settling in visits to ensure they are comfortable and fully informed about the setting. Children are valued as individuals and the policies and procedures in place ensure that all children are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

included in all activities and all their needs are met, for example special educational needs and equal opportunities. Partnership with parents is good. Relationships with parents are very friendly and children appreciate the free access parents have to the club at all times. Parents discuss all aspects of the care offered with staff and the daily events and their child's achievements. An information pack is provided and the parents' notice board has plans and policies displayed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe environment because the registered person uses appropriate recruitment and vetting procedures. The procedure to keep the registration authority informed of the staff in place in not satisfactory. Children are supported in their play and recreation with the required staff/child ratios is exceeded. The induction programme and regular staff communication ensures that all staff work to promote children's health, safety and enjoyment. Children benefit from appropriately qualified and well-motivated staff who have their training needs reviewed regularly and their personal development needs met through regular appraisal. Staff are dedicated to the well-being of the children and work well as a team during the daily routine, activities and trips. The flexible planning and organisation ensures that the children have their individual needs and aspirations

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Organisation

met. All staff and parents have easy access to all policies and procedures which generally work in practice ensuring children's safety, enjoyment and achievements. Parents are asked to provide all the relevant information to ensure the needs of their child are met. The club meets the needs very well for the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection the setting was asked to ensure that the ceiling in the downstairs playroom was sound and to develop the special educational needs and equal opportunities policies further, ensuring parents had access to these policies and staff a satisfactory understanding of them. Children are now safe using the

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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 downstairs room because the ceiling has been replaced. Their individual needs are met as staff have developed and understand the equal opportunities policy and the special educational needs policy. Policies are displayed on the parent's notice board.

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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 risk assessments are completed and reviewed regularly • ensure all documentation required by the registration authority is in place for all staff • ensure all the required written policies and procedures are in place, including for professional abuse and for the administration of medication.

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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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