Axbridge Community Care Club

Axbridge Community Care Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262559 Unique Reference Number 17 September 2007 Inspection date Carol Cox Inspector

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Moorland Street, Axbridge, BS26 2BA Setting Address

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01934 733091 or 07708982481 Telephone number

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E-mail

Linda Rose Maunders 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 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?

Axbridge Community Care Out of School Club opened in 2002. It operates from a Portakabin, adjacent to the grounds of Axbridge First School, Axbridge, Somerset. Children attending are mainly from Axbridge School but children also attend from the local middle school. The group opens for breakfast club from 08:00 to 08:50 and the after-school club from 15:15 to 17:45 from Monday to Friday during school terms. Axbridge Community Care Club have access to the primary school grounds which have several play areas including an outdoor play ground with play equipment.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 37 children aged from four to 11 years on roll. Children may attend for a variety of sessions. Staff have experience of supporting children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting employs five staff who work with the children. Three members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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 health is effectively promoted by knowledgeable staff. Children are encouraged to practise good self care skills. They enjoy fresh air and exercise in the enclosed play area where they climb, ride on bikes, squirm through tunnels and invent their own role play games in the play house. The playroom is furnished with comfy sofas offering opportunities for children to relax and rest after a strenuous day in school.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is a system in place to record any accidents and parents sign and date all records to confirm their accuracy. Staff hold appropriate paediatric first aid certificates, therefore minor injuries may be treated appropriately. Although there is a system in place to record consent and guidance for the administration of medication this has not yet been used. There are sensible policies and procedures in place to prevent spread of infection, for example, parents or emergency contacts are called to collect children if they become ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from healthy snacks and drinks and children's individual food needs are noted on registration forms. Staff provide care before school at breakfast club and children are offered drinks but bring their own food if needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Staff ensure the environment is safe for children because they carry out daily checks of the premises, which are recorded. There is a wide range of resources, games and toys to support children's play, these are made easily accessible to children. There is a safe and secure area for outside play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have implemented a clear fire evacuation policy and children are aware of the procedure they must follow in case of fire. However, there is no clear system in place to record fire drills. There are clear policies and procedures in place for staff to follow should children become lost or are not collected. Children are safeguarded by the collection policy which ensures that they are only allowed to leave with authorised people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have an understanding of how to recognise symptoms of different forms of abuse, however, staff do not have a secure knowledge of current Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the club. They enter happily and quickly settle for a drink, snack and chat with the friendly staff. There is a relaxed atmosphere and children are able to choose and develop their own interests. For example, some children decide to play outside with bikes and play tents whilst others become engrossed in building a fort with construction kits. Younger children benefit from the presence of older children and enjoy joining in games with them, for example, older children help younger children when building the fort. Staff organise large group games on the school playground and staff are happy to provide help and encouragement so older children can work on their homework. Children's suggestions for future activities are

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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 discussed with staff. The play leaders are responsive to children's interests. For example, children are able to continue to benefit from other clubs and specialist activities in the main school before attending after school club.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about respecting and valuing each other through cooperative play and talking about their differing lives. Staff help children talk about their experiences in school at circle time, this helps them resolve any worries or anxieties and settle to enjoying themselves. Children have access to a range of resources to provide positive images of different people. Although staff have limited experience of supporting children with learning difficulties or disabilities they use their experience to support all children and their individual needs. Children's behaviour is managed consistently by staff and children generally behave very well. Children benefit from the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the club and enjoy close relationships with the play leaders.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents share information about care needs on registration forms and are given information about the club and local support services through the notice board and friendly relationships with staff. Staff are happy to pass on messages from school when parents arrive to pick up their children. Parents express their appreciation of the service offered by the club. There is a complaints procedure, however, the contact details for Ofsted are not current.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The club is owned and managed by the play leader, who also works with children in the adjacent primary school. The club has good relationships with the school who support them in practical ways, for example, sharing resources. There is a well qualified and consistent staff group to ensure children are well supported, most already work with the children in school and are happy to provide relief cover when needed. There are sensible systems in place to ensure that all staff are checked and supported by the play leader/owner, who takes responsibility for the recruitment and management of staff. There is an appraisal system in place and staff are encouraged to attend regular training.

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Organisation

There are policies and procedures in place to support staff in their roles which are displayed and shared with parents. All necessary records and documentation are in place, however, these are not consistently maintained for each child. For example, some children's records do not include consent to seek emergency treatment or for the play workers to take photographs of the children.

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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 setting was asked to address the following issues: to complete a risk assessment for the premises and outings; to ensure the child protection statement includes the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff or volunteer; and to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. There is now a risk assessment made of the premises and activities which ensures children's safety. The child protection statement includes the procedure to be

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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 followed in event of an allegation made against a member of staff. Although consent has been obtained for staff to seek emergency medical advice or treatment this is not yet consistent for all treatment, thus this remains as a recommendation from the current inspection.

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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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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): • ensure all necessary consents are obtained from parents and are consistently recorded • make sure the complaints procedure is made available to parents and includes current contact details for Ofsted • make sure all staff have a clear knowledge of the procedure to follow should they have any child protection concerns and ensure these procedures are in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board

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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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