Milton Road Infant School

Little Oaks After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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110656 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2007 Inspection date Anne Jeanette Faithfull Inspector

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St. Johns Infant School, West End Road, Mortimer, Berkshire, RG7 3SY Setting Address

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E-mail

The Oaks Group 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 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?

The Oaks After School Club has been registered for over eight years. It operates from St. Johns Infant School in Mortimer, West Berkshire. The club is managed by a committee of parents and school representatives. A maximum of 32 children may attend at any one time. The club is open Monday to Friday term time only from 15:00 to 18:00. Various areas of the school are used including the outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 13 children on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. There are two members of staff who work in the club, they both hold appropriate childcare qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks, such as toast with a variety of toppings and fresh fruit for example, grapes and apples. Staff encourage the children to prepare their own snack and children have the opportunity to choose the topping they would prefer. Children can independently access drinks of water throughout their time in the club, this helps to ensure

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 they do not become dehydrated. Staff record information regarding children’s health and dietary needs and any cultural preferences and these are respected and followed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because staff successfully promote and support all aspects of healthy living, for example, wiping down the tables with anti-bacterial spray. Children have a good awareness of the importance of personal hygiene and follow established routines, such as washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Staff act in the children’s best interests when they are ill and clear procedures protect others from illness and infection. Arrangements for first aid meet requirements and protect children. The accident records include good detail about the exact location of injuries and any action taken.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activity, which supports their physical development and promotes a positive approach to exercise. Good use is made of both the indoor and outdoor space. Children enjoy using the mini adventure playground where they can climb and slide down poles. Staff often take children for a walk in the nearby park where they have the opportunity to be in the fresh air after a day in school and to use different outdoor equipment. The children also access and use a range of different craft materials and tools; this further helps to develop their fine motor skills. There are good arrangements in place to allow children to rest and relax at the end of the school day. They relax and sit on large cushions listening to stories or chatting to each other.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in secure and safe school premises. Children are signed in and out of the out of school club to ensure staff are aware of who is present at all times. There are good security systems in place to protect children; these ensure children cannot leave the premises unsupervised and there can be no unauthorised access to children for example, a password system was used when a grandparent came to collect a child. Children are very aware of the school rules and club rules and ensure they follow them well to keep themselves safe. Staff reinforce safety procedures with the children, for example, reminding a child not to climb on the sports equipment stored in the hall and supervising the children when they are using the toaster to make toast for their snack.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear policies and procedures are followed to promote children's health and safety, such as a health and safety checklist completed each day which identifies the areas to be checked to ensure the ongoing safety of the premises and children. Regular fire drills take place to ensure children are aware of the steps to take in an emergency and any concerns are recorded. Children have access to a suitable range of toys and play equipment. They select the items they wish to use independently from containers and tables situated around the hall. Space is used well to enable children to play with large car mats on the floor and other larger equipment. Staff regularly check all the toys and resources to ensure they are still safe and suitable for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good awareness of possible signs and symptoms of abuse and of their responsibility to report such concerns in line with local authority procedures to protect children. There are clear systems in place to record any existing injuries and this ensures that the safety of the children remains a priority.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and demonstrate high levels of confidence and self-esteem. Staff are very aware of the children’s interests and ensure they provide a range of activities and resources which are challenging, interesting and fun for the children. Children enjoy imaginative play and greet visitors to the club wearing a range of costumes including spiderman, a princess and a king. Children enjoy looking a books and having stories read to them where they can join in and predict what is coming next in the story. They readily sit with a member staff in a small group taking the time to relax after a busy school day, talking about the story and their day at school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to choose from games, activities and creative resources freely, for example a group of children enjoy colouring and using the different stencils to make pictures of flowers. Other children enjoy dancing to music using a range of dressing up clothes pretending to be a ballerina. They have access to school equipment, such as books from the library and other resources to extend their interests further. Children show a great sense of pride in their club and enjoy telling the inspector about how they spend their time and comment how much they enjoy coming to the club. They include the inspector in their activities for example, reading the inspector a poem and showing her the items they have made.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The staff are committed to providing children with a range of activities which help to promote their learning and development. The play manager regularly evaluates the activities and experiences they provide for the children to ensure their ongoing enjoyment, learning and development. Children are consulted about the activities, experiences and any other issues regarding the club giving them a sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and their individual needs are well catered for. Staff are aware to ensure any children who are attending the club with learning difficulties/disabilities are fully involved in the club’s activities and they only offer assistance and support either when required or appropriate. Children and staff celebrate a range of festivals together including birthdays and use the resources around the school to talk about different cultures for instance, talking about the displays around the hall.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and have a good understanding of right and wrong. Children are encouraged to be involved in making the club's rules and staff remind them of the rules they have put in place each week at snack time and allow the children to make other suggestions or comments if required. Children cooperate well and are thoughtful, considerate and well mannered, for example, children give their friends a hug before they leave and say they will see them at school the next day. Relationships between staff and children are good and staff act as good role models for the children. All staff are consistent in their approach to behaviour management and give regular praise and encouragement. They are calm, consistent, polite and respectful, and children follow their example.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are welcomed into the club by friendly, approachable staff who give them regular verbal feedback about their child’s time at the club. Staff work with the parents to help them with their childcare and respond positively to requests from parents to change the days their children can attend. Parents are provided with clear information about the club and its policies and

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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 procedures and a useful parent information folder is available in the entrance. Parents comment on how happy their children are at the club and how supportive the staff are.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The club is organised effectively to allow the children to initiate their own play and learning. This encourages their independence and allows them to self-select experiences that both interest and challenge them. Staff work well together as a team and are clear about their individual roles and responsibilities, which means that children are well cared for. Required adult to child ratios are met and provide good levels of care and support, enabling all children to participate in the activities on offer. This ensures the children are well settled, happy and confident within the club.

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Organisation

The play manager and staff are well supported by the committee and they meet on a regular basis to discuss any concerns or issues. Staff attend training on a regular basis to further increase their knowledge of childcare and the appraisal system in place highlights any future training needs and ensures the staff remain suitable to work with the children.

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Organisation

All of the legally required documentation is in place and includes the required detail to promote the care and welfare of children, with the exception of the complaints procedure as this still does not include the contact number and address of Ofsted. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the club was asked to: ensure all required documentation is in place including written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment; record the times of arrival and departure of the children; and the contact number of Ofsted to be included in the complaints procedure. All documentation is now in place, this includes written permission from parents for staff to seek emergency medical treatment, the times of children's actual attendance is now recorded. This further promotes the care and welfare of the children. Parents can access the contact number of Ofsted from the poster displayed on the notice board, however the complaints procedure still does not include the contact number for Ofsted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The club was also asked to investigate ways an area can be provided where children can rest and unwind in comfort and to ensure the premises are secure so children cannot leave unsupervised. The club have purchased some comfy cushions and mats and have created an area so the children can now rest and unwind in comfort. There are now new procedures in place to ensure children cannot leave the premises unsupervised. Children are now aware of the boundaries in place and the doors are locked. Parents can only access the hall if they ring the bell and wait for a member of staff to open. This further ensures the safety of the children.

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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. 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): • ensure the contact number and address of Ofsted is included in the complaints procedure

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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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