The Rowans After School Club

The Rowans After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY289970 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2007 Inspection date Shirley Delaney Inspector

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St. Columbas Church Hall, Banners Gate Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B73 6TX

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E-mail

The Rowans Day Nursery (4978690) 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?

The Rowans After School Club was registered in 2004. The Out of School group operates within a community building situated in a culturally diverse residential area of Birmingham. A maximum of 40 children may attend the group at any one time. The group operates during school term time, between the hours of 08.00 until 09.00 and 15.00 until 18.00. During school holidays the group operates between the hours of 08.00 until 18.00. All children share access to an enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 68 children on roll, aged from 4 years to under 8 years. The admission policy allows children up to the age of 11 years to attend. Most of the parents whose children attend the out of school club live in the local area. The group supports children with learning difficulties and children who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group currently has seven members of staff, who work with the children, of these, four hold appropriate 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 satisfactory. Children are learning about how a healthy diet contributes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They say the meals provided in the group are healthy because fruit and salad are on the menu regularly and vegetables are served with lunchtime meals. Children express that they particularly like being given choices; stating that if they do not like the meal provided on any particular day they are offered an alternative. There are menus on display for children and parents' information. All meals are produced on the premises using mainly fresh produce. Hot snacks are provided to children who attend the group after school and those attending the provision during school holiday periods are provided with a balanced range of nutritional meals across the day. Children’s individual dietary requirements are met appropriately as information is collated from parents and staff are made aware of children’s dietary needs and parent’s wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an awareness of personal hygiene, for example, they routinely wash their hands before they have their snack. This is reinforced by the staff who remind children about appropriate personal habits; and present the children with suitable role models when cleaning and preparing the eating and serving areas before children collect their meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical exercise. They have opportunities to make use of the outdoor play space on site; where they take part in group games such as football, rounders and cricket. Children attending the provision after school regularly have access to the playground of a nearby nursery; where they make use of a range of equipment to push, pull and peddle and large apparatus to practise skills in climbing and balancing. Organisation of the spacious hall allows children space to take part in activities such as organised team games and gymnastics.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to learn about staying safe. Their safety whilst taking part on outings is given appropriate consideration. For example, children are required to wear identifying caps so that they can be easily recognised as part of the group. Children regularly participate in fire drills, which assist them to learn how to safely evacuate the building in the event of an emergency. There are procedures in place to maintain children’s security whilst on the premises such as entrances to the building remaining locked at all times. However, children’s security is not always adequately promoted when using the outdoor play space; as the perimeter of this area is not adequately enclosed. Risk assessments and daily checks are completed on the premises. However, children’s safety cannot always be assured as hazards are not effectively identified to minimise risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make choices from a wide range of toys and resources which are set out around the hall. They can safely select from the accessible toys and equipment as care is taken that resources are suitable for their needs and are in safe condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare and protection from harm is sometimes promoted, as the staff have knowledge of child protection procedures. Staff follow procedures to determine the identity of visitors before they are allowed access to the premises and visitors are requested to sign the visitors’ book. However, procedures in place to ensure that staff who have not been vetted, do not have

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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 unsupervised access to children are not always followed. As a consequence children’s welfare cannot be assured.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are able to engage in an exciting, stimulating and well-balanced range of activities and experiences, which helps them to progress in all areas of development. Plans are formulated in advance and detail a wide range of play and learning opportunities for the children to make choices from. The children are consulted and make suggestions about play experiences they would like to take part in and plans are adapted to accommodate children’s suggestions. Children also actively request additional resources to be made accessible from the range of equipment, games and toys stored in the built in cupboard. During school holiday periods outings enhance the programme of events available to children, widening their experiences. For example, children can make choices from outside activities including; trips to adventure parks and visiting places of interest, such as museums.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are comfortable, settled and relaxed in the group, where they have access to a good range of resources and play opportunities. The children express that they enjoy creative activities, playing on the play station and particularly like taking part in group games, gymnastics, making dens and outdoor play. Children receive good support, time and attention from the staff who spend time interacting with children in their play. Staff provide children with a good level of attention, they are supportive when interacting with children in their play and offer children guidance where required. They allow children to make decisions about play experiences they wish to be involved in, enabling them to make choices and follow their own curiosity and imagination.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally well behaved, confident and secure. Through discussion with staff and their peers, children have established a list of acceptable rules for their behaviour in the group. This assists children to develop a sense of belonging and ownership. Regular meetings as a large group provide the children with the opportunity to have a voice express any concerns and make their needs and wishes known. They also use this group time to make agreements, such as organising the rota for taking turns on the Playstation. This promotes children’s communication and negotiation skills and develops an awareness of the needs of others. The children develop a sense of responsibility as they take on tasks such as tidying up, collecting their meals and assisting to clear away after mealtimes. Staff demonstrated use of appropriate strategies for managing children’s behaviour that are appropriately adapted dependant on the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

child’s maturity and understanding. They use a consistent approach to managing unacceptable behaviour, bringing children’s attention to the rules for expected behaviour and discussing any issues with children as they arise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities to take part in activities which promote positive views and increases children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. They take part in structured activities looking at aspects of their own cultures and the wider world. Through discussion staff demonstrate a proactive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities; and working in partnership with parents in order to meet children’s needs appropriately.

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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 partnership staff develop with their parents, which promotes continuity of care for the children. Staff are approachable and friendly in their interaction with parents; they share verbal information on a daily basis and provide parents with written information about the group’s policies and procedures. Parents also have access to activity plans, in particular, they are provided in advance with those taking place during school holiday periods, which allows them to be informed and share this information with their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. Children receive appropriate support as sufficient staff hold relevant qualifications. The children are relaxed and comfortable and busily occupied in an environment that has been organised to take advantage of the available space and planned to enable them to participate in the stimulating range of activities offered.

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Organisation

Documents relating to policies and procedures are generally appropriately organised. However, some required records relating to children and their parents are not always available on the premises and records of staff and children’s attendance are not completed thoroughly to ensure that children’s safety is comprehensively promoted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to ensure all children have regular opportunities to access outdoor play. Children have access to an outdoor play space on site and regular opportunities to make use of the play area of an associated nursery provision. This enables children to routinely engage in outdoor play.

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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.

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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):

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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 • ensure risk assessments are completed thoroughly, hazards are identified and risks minimised effectively • ensure that procedure are followed to ensure that staff who have not received relevant checks to determine their suitability are not left unsupervised in their contact with children • improve documentation held by ensuring that records of staff and children’s attendance contain accurate information and make sure required records relating to children and their parents are on site and available for inspection.

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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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