St Anne's Care Club

St Anne's Care Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY353907 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2007 Inspection date Cathleen Howarth Inspector

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St. Annes C of E School, Ormerod Avenue, Royton, OLDHAM, OL2 5DH Setting Address

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07762 815 542 Telephone number snails20002001@yahoo.com E-mail St Ann's Care Club Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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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?

St Anne's Care Club registered independently from St Anne's Church of England school, Royton, Oldham in 2007. The club operates from rooms on the first floor in the infant department. A maximum of 40 children may attend the club at any one time. The club is open during term time from 07.55 to 09.00 and from 15.15 to 17.45. The holiday club is open weekdays from 07.55 to 17.45 and is closed for bank holidays and over Christmas. All children share access to enclosed outdoor play areas.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 75 children aged from three to 11 years on roll. Of these, 30 children are under eight years. All children attend St Anne’s School and mainly come from the local community. The club currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and disabilities, and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The providers employ six members of staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications, and one member of staff is working towards a qualification.

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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 satisfactory. Children are appropriately taken care of if they have an accident or become ill. The sick children policy, medication, accident, and existing injury records are systematically countersigned by parents to promote children’s continuing care. However, not all staff are thorough and consistent in relation to the cleaning rotas. Some surfaces and paintwork are not cleaned regularly, such as skirting boards and doors. Food residue has been swept into the grate on the kitchen floor and the grate has not been lifted and cleaned. Some soft toys which are accessible to children are not washed frequently. These inconsistencies increase the risk of the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand simple health and hygiene practices, like washing their hands before snack and after messy play. They cooperate with appropriate arrangements to protect their good health by using sun cream when required. There are frequent opportunities for children to walk to the local park to play on the swings, slides and climbing frames. They know to rest and sleep according to their needs in designated quiet areas.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to learn the importance of eating healthily. A sufficient range of nutritional food, like fresh fruit, is provided at snack time. Throughout the day children have easy access to water and parents provide a packed lunch. All staff are appropriately aware of the individual needs of children and closely monitor their intake of food. Food preparation procedures are sound. However, additional information has not been obtained for all children with special dietary requirements, and there is no system in place to review children’s healthcare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have learnt boundaries and limits. They know not to leave the activity rooms unsupervised, and they know not to run inside to avoid accidental injury. They have sufficient choice in where they play, such as the two activity rooms and play grounds. Areas used by children are routinely risk assessed to minimise potential hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have safe and independent access to an excellent range of age-appropriate toys, furniture and resources to support their overall social and recreational requirements. They help to tidy up to prevent trips and falls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately safeguarded. Staff understand their role in child protection. They know the procedure to follow should a concern arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff ensure most of the required precautionary measures are in place. A member of staff with a current first aid certificate is always on duty to cover morning and afternoon sessions. First aid boxes are available to use and the contents are checked regularly. Written permission is obtained from parents for staff to seek emergency medical assistance if required. All fire safety precautions are in place, and children practise the emergency evacuation plan to encourage them to take responsibility for themselves. The public liability insurance is available for parents to view. There are number coded locks on each of the activity doors but they are not used during the day. The closed circuit television monitors the stairs from the ground floor to the activity rooms, and a stair gate is kept closed at the top of the stairs. However, the main door

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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 on the ground floor is often left unlocked and unattended, hindering children’s overall safety at the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Outcomes for children are outstanding because of how they organise themselves. Children are eager to attend the club and enter confidently. They settle exceedingly well to their self-chosen activity. They excel in a very broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events, that successfully support their overall social and recreational requirements. Relationships are excellent at all levels. Children consistently play a dynamic part in the setting. Their individual social and leisure needs are continually well met because staff consult regularly with children and parents. Questionnaires are effectively used to monitor and evaluate the service. Staff swiftly deal with issues arising, promoting a real sense of cohesion and ownership, and enabling children to thrive in a caring and supportive environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond positively to adults who put children first. Staff are genuinely interested and enthusiastic in what children do and say, and have high expectations of what children can achieve. Children create and prepare their own fruit cocktails, such as the ‘Green Horizon’ made with mint chocolate ice cream, and the ‘Pink Cinderella’ which is a strawberry and raspberry milk shake. Children are fully involved in the running of the club and help to make snack by preparing fruit kebabs, using bananas, melons, apples, oranges, strawberries and kiwis.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s interests are positively promoted and they gain high levels of self-esteem when they engage in challenging activities like football. Experienced players are learning intricate new steps, such as the ‘flip flop’, ‘maradona’ and ‘step over’. They proudly demonstrate their physical abilities when they do the splits and dance for each other. Children are highly skilled at making decisions, exploring and investigating. They play imaginatively with transforming toys and become the characters, acting out scenes of bravery and heroism. They relate superbly well to others and express their needs appropriately. Children have learnt to negotiate and compromise. They are sensitive and respectful in their interactions with others. Older children want to assist in any way they can. They are particularly supportive towards younger children. For example, during quiet time older children help the younger children read stories to the group, using

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

visual aids and props to dramatise the story. Older children make up their own stories, such as expanding on the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are extremely resourceful. They continually use their imagination effectively developing their emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities. For example, out of a few simple resources children created an activity that fully harnessed their curiosity and creativity. They made their own play dough out of flour and water, experimenting with colours and smells. They blind folded each other to guess the green mint ball and red strawberry ball. The game evolved naturally and children started to mix smells and colours which kept blind folded children guessing. Children have superb opportunities to learn from first hand experiences. They have fed the animals on the farm, such as lamas, cows, goats and pigs and stroked chinchillas, mice and rabbits. For some children this was a particularly memorable experience, as this was their first time in close proximity with such animals. They have also visited a museum in Manchester

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and played giant chess. They learnt about childhood through the ages and tried various activities, like throwing balls at numbered lids, to make different sounds and music.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are valued and treated with equal concern. They are fully included and involved. They behave very well and show respect for each other and their carers. Staff consistently acknowledge and praise cooperative and courteous behaviour. There is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities, to encourage children to make decisions and choices, positively promoting their confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are robust systems in place to keep parents informed about the setting and their child’s general welfare. Should the need arise, parents know to raise concerns with their child’s key person, and if required through the complaints procedure. Parents commend staff for providing good quality care and excellent play opportunities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The club has been under new management for the last three months. They have focused primarily on effective team working and building strong relationship with children and their parents. Staff have attended various training courses to keep up to date with childcare practice. They are competently supported in their work through established procedures, such as induction and staff appraisal.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is in place to promote children’s care, welfare and play. Children’s records are stored securely and maintained in an orderly way. Staff respect confidentiality and share relevant information with parents.

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Organisation

Children anticipate established routines and they feel secure in a stable, familiar environment. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • continue to monitor and reinforce the staff cleaning rota • review children's health care in partnership with parents • improve security on the main door.

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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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