Whittington After School Club

Whittington After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY257111 Unique Reference Number 06 March 2008 Inspection date Jennifer Getty Inspector

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New Whittington Primary School, Handley Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S43 2EP

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E-mail

Whittington After School Club 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?

Whittington After School Club opened in 2004. It operates from a room in the grounds of the primary school in the village of New Whittington, Derbyshire. The out of school club serves the local area and surrounding villages.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting opens five days a week. Sessions are from 15:05 until 17:30 during school term time and 08:30 until 17:30 during school holidays. There are currently 35 children from four years five months to 11 years on roll. The setting currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club employs one part-time and five full-time members of staff who work with the children. Half of the staff hold early years qualifications. Half of the staff are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification and the manager is working towards a further early years qualification.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting receives support from Derbyshire local authority and is a member of 4Children. The out of school club is managed by a committee who delegates day to day responsibility to the staff.

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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 good health is promoted because staff and children adhere to clear hygiene and health procedures. The risk of cross-contamination is prevented because children use liquid soap and paper towels to wash and dry their hands before snack. The cleanliness of the setting is maintained and tables are wiped with anti-bacterial spray before children eat. There are good policies in place to ensure the spread of infection is minimised, for example, children who are ill do not attend the club or they are collected by parents if they become ill during the session. Accidents are dealt with appropriately and recorded, although, the amount of detail relating to the injury is not always consistent, this means that parents and the setting are not always able to carefully monitor children's injuries. The setting promotes consistency of care as staff record children's injuries which happen during the school day. There is always more than one

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Helping children to be healthy

member of staff present who holds a current first aid certificate to ensure that children's good health is promoted and that they receive appropriate care in the case of an accident or illness. However, children's records do not show that they all have written parental permission to receive emergency medical treatment or advice, potentially compromising children's health is the case of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy snacks are provided such as sandwiches and fruit. Staff ensure that they receive relevant information about children's dietary requirements to ensure their health needs are met. All staff are made aware of children's allergies, likes and dislikes and a list is displayed in the kitchen to ensure food is prepared appropriately. Some staff have attended food hygiene courses and ensure that suitable practices are in place to promote good hygiene. During the holiday club parents provide children's lunches and these are stored in the fridge when necessary. Drinking water is available at all times and children are offered juice during snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are opportunities for children to develop their physical skills and have fresh air. The room is sometimes organised so that the soft play equipment is set out or children can play with large spinning tops and dance to music. There is an enclosed outdoor area which the setting use during the summer months and children are also taken to the local school's playground. During holidays children enjoy going on trips in the local area and staff take suitable equipment such as bats and balls where possible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The room is well organised so that activities are spread out and children are able to move around freely. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming room that helps them feel secure and comfortable. Their work is displayed on the walls and they are welcomed by staff as they enter, helping them develop a good sense of belonging. Activities are laid out for children providing an interesting and stimulating environment for them as they arrive. They hangs their coats on a peg and are immediately engaged in an activity. The toys and resources are well maintained and are suitable for the children's ages and stages in development. For example, children play happily with building bricks, dolls, craft materials, cars and computers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Security is carefully considered and doors are locked so that children are unable to leave unsupervised and adults are required to ring the bell to gain access. Staff are keen to ensure that children are collected by authorised persons and operate suitable systems to promote

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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's safety. Daily risk assessments are carried out on the building and staff check that hazards are minimised before children arrive. There is a detailed health and safety policy, of which all staff are aware, and training is also undertaken. There is a clearly defined emergency escape plan which is practised with children and recorded, this promotes children's safety and helps them learn how to keep themselves safe. They also do this through discussion of road safety when walking to the club and through visits from local road safety persons.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are also protected because staff are aware of their role in child protection and are able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. There is a detailed policy in place which refers to current legislation and staff attend training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the setting. They are purposefully engaged in activities throughout the session. Children of all ages play happily together, taking turns and sharing. The room is organised into areas, for example, construction, creative work and computer work. The deployment of staff is good, ensuring that the consistent and positive interaction from staff supports children during play. Children are involved in a broad range of planned activities which support their learning and development. For example, they are encouraged to think about healthy eating as they paint and draw pictures that show what they consider to be healthy. Children's likes, dislikes and individual needs are taken into account when staff plan activities and children are able to inform planning through requests and discussion with staff. Children play with dolls and push cars around the garage. They are able to be active or rest according

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to their needs at the end of the school day. There is a comfortable seating area where children are able to read books or relax. Children enjoy playing on computer games, as well as, taking part in the various other activities on offer. During holidays children enjoy going on trips, for example, to the museum, medieval market, visiting Matlock park and Chesterfield. They dress-up and have daily opportunities to take part in creative work. Children develop their imagination skills as they create junk models and write poems for Mothering Sunday.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop good levels of self-esteem as staff listen to children and value their opinions. They take pride in their work as they show staff their drawings and put them in their named folder. The setting ensures it obtains relevant information from parents so that children receive appropriate care. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities receive good levels of support from staff to ensure their needs are met and that all children are fully included in the setting. The club works with the school and outside agencies to promote outcomes for children, as well as, attending additional training. Children learn about the wider society and local community through a range of resources and activities, for example, puppets, books and creative work relating to cultural festivals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved and respond well to staff's gentle reminders about sitting on chairs. Staff attend relevant training and use good methods to manage children's behaviour for the various ages of children who attend. For example, they distract children and provide a good range of activities that occupy children at all times. Staff use explanation and discussion so that children can learn how to manage their own behaviour.

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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 benefit from the positive partnership with parents. Parents receive information about the club and all policies and procedures are easily accessible as the files are displayed at all times. Staff share information with parents on a daily basis as they collect children from the club, promoting consistency of care. There is a detailed complaints policy that parents see as their child starts at the club and important information is displayed on the notice board.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by friendly and caring staff. The supervisor of the club has experience working with children but does not hold the relevant Level 3 qualification and therefore children's welfare is potentially compromised. However, the setting has an action plan in place to minimise the impact on children. Three members of staff hold Level 2 childcare qualifications and are intending to complete their Level 3 training in the summer. All other staff are also attending training for suitable childcare qualifications. This means that staff are already gaining suitable knowledge to further promote outcomes for children. Staff are attending regular training to ensure that children's needs are met. The manager ensures that children are not left alone with persons who are not vetted, promoting children's safety.

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Organisation

Staff deployment is well managed and means that children are fully supported in play. There is a staff member present at most activities and staff move around the room to ensure children receive consistent support. Staff collect children from the local school and consider the children's safety at all times. The staff team work well together to provide a calm, friendly and fun atmosphere in which children are able to feel welcome and comfortable. Documentation is well organised and parents are able to see photographs and examples of children's work. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the setting was asked to ensure that medication and accident records are maintained confidentially and ensure that the child protection policy includes the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's health and safety are promoted because the setting ensures that accidents and medication details are recorded on individual pages. The records are also stored in a locked cabinet. The child protection policy has been updated to refer to the current legislation and includes the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff.

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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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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 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 that consistent detail about the type of injury is recorded in the accident book and written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is obtained • ensure the manager has at least a Level 3 qualification appropriate to the post.

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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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