St Luke's Catholic Primary School

St Luke's Catholic Primary School - Out Of School Club Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY266590 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2007 Inspection date Mary Anne Henderson Inspector

p.1

Church Road, Trench, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 7HG Setting Address

p.1

01952 617355 Telephone number H3359@telford.gov.uk E-mail St Lukes Catholic Primary School Out Of School Clu Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Full day care, Out of School care Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

St Luke's Catholic Primary School Out of School Club opened in 2003. It operates from the large school hall and one classroom. The group serves primarily the children attending the school, which is sited in the Trench area of Telford. The group has sole use of the hall when operating. Children have supervised access to the school's outdoor play area.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group is registered to care of a maximum of 24 children at any one time. There are currently 24 children attending from four years to under eight years old on roll. There are currently three members of staff working with the children, one of whom has a Level 2 National Vocational Qualification.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The group is open from 07:45 to 08:45 and 15:00 to 18:00 during school term time and they also operate for two weeks in the school holidays and during the Easter break from 07:45 to 18:00. The group receives support from the Local Authority.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing in an environment that is well maintained and clean. They are aware of the need to wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before they eat. Children's welfare is promoted well because the staff are first aid qualified and they have sought written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for all children on roll.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The children are learning about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy a good range of indoor and outdoor activities and use a broad range of small and large equipment. For example, they run around in the fresh air, play football and basket ball and can move between the indoor and outdoor areas as they wish, under the supervision of the staff.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy diet. They have a range of healthy cereals, toast and fruit for breakfast and a range of fruit, pasta dishes and sandwiches for after school snacks. Children also have access to fresh drinking water throughout the session. Children's preferences and dietary requirements are recorded and acknowledged by the staff.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The safety of the children is satisfactorily maintained. Staff ensure areas are safe for the children before they arrive and they use a risk assessment format which includes areas, equipment and toys. However, the fire blanket in the kitchen is not appropriately wall mounted. This possibly compromises children's safety. The children are learning about keeping themselves safe because they are involved in fire evacuation practice with the staff.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Premises are welcoming for parents and their children. There is a notice board in the entrance hall which provides information about the service provided. There is also some children's work on display for parents and children to enjoy. Children use a range of equipment and toys suitable to the ages attending. For example, they are involved in clay moulding, arts and crafts and table top games.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is maintained because staff have attended child protection training. Staff know what to do and who to contact should they have a concern about a child in their care and they have the current Local Safeguarding Children's Board contact numbers at hand.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of activities suitable to their ages. This includes playing pool, table top football, construction and junk modelling. Children have also made their own play dough. During the session, children can choose what they would like to do. They can move around the activities trying out different games and resources. Children use computers and play on game consoles using appropriately aged software. They enjoy a good range of outdoor activities and interact well with their peers and the staff. Through discussion, the children let the staff know what types of activities they would like to try each week, such as cooking and creative play. Children are confident and move around the activity areas making their own decisions about what they would like to do next. The children enjoy a good range of outings

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 to places of interest. This includes visits to Weston Park where they can run around in the fresh air and climb and balance on the wooden equipment and visits to local farms where the children can look at farm animals and ride on tractors and go-carts under close supervision of the staff.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children respond well to behaviour management strategies used by the staff. For example, they are praised for their efforts when they help to tidy up after activities. This promotes their self-esteem. Children have regard for their peers and are able to take turns with the resources. Children explore festivals through creative activities. For example, they make cards and paint and draw pictures as they learn about Diwali and Chinese New Year. There are satisfactory strategies in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Staff would work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure consistency and inclusion of all children on roll.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

There are positive relationships between the parents and the staff. Parents receive verbal feedback about their child's time at the club. They have access to the policies of the setting some of which are displayed on the notice board. There is a complaints policy available to parents, however, this does not include the current address of Ofsted the regulator. This possibly compromises children's welfare.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are cared for by staff who are caring and experienced. Procedures for the recruitment and vetting of staff are sound thereby ensuring children's welfare is maintained. However, out of the three members of staff working directly with the children on a regular basis, there is one member of staff who is qualified to National Vocational Level 2 and the other two members of staff are not yet qualified. This possibly compromises children's welfare. Documentation is kept up-to-date and signed by both parties, including accident and medication records. The register shows attendance of children and the staff and all visitors are required to sign the visitors book after their identity has been checked. This maintains children's welfare and safety. Policies of the setting are made available to the parents. Overall, children's needs are met.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the group was asked to address a number of recommendations. They were asked to devise, and make available to parents, a written statement on special needs consistent with current legislation and guidance, and to ensure the child protection procedures were developed to include steps to take with regard to an allegation made against a member of staff. They addressed this by ensuring the special needs statement and the child protection procedures were developed to include current legislation, including reporting to Ofsted should there be any accusations made against a member of staff. These were then made available to parents to keep them informed of procedures and thereby ensuring the children's welfare.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The group was also asked to ensure that the emergency evacuation plan is specific to the Out of School Club's circumstances and to obtain written parental permission before administering medication to the children. They addressed this by ensuring that an evacuation plan was drawn up relating to the areas used by the Out of School Club, and they also ensured all children were

p.4

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 involved in the emergency fire evacuation procedures. They also ensured they completed written permission forms signed by both parties should any medication be required by the children. This ensures children's safety and that welfare is well maintained.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Finally, the group was asked to ensure children have regular opportunities to experience an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. They addressed this by ensuring all children have equal and regular access to a range of toys and resources reflecting the wider community. For example, they ensured children have access to small world people, dressing-up and books depicting a range of cultures and disabilities. They also ensured children explore a range of festivals such as Chinese New Year and Diwali through art work and food tasting. Children now have an improved knowledge of the world around them.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • identify and minimise all hazards within the indoor areas • ensure the complaint procedures includes the current contact details of Ofsted as the regulator • ensure a member of staff qualified to Level 3 is in attendance at all times.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5