Paulsgrove Primary School

Springwell Before/After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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116257 Unique Reference Number 04 March 2008 Inspection date Aileen Ewins Inspector

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Springwell Infant School, Speart Lane, Heston, Middlesex, TW5 9EF Setting Address

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E-mail

Springwell Before/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 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 Springwell Before/After School Club has been registered since June 1990. The club offers care to children before school, from 08:00 to 09:00 and after school from 15:30 to 17:30. The club operates term time only. The majority of children attend both schemes which are open to children in full time education. Staff are experienced child carers and have other support roles within the school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Springwell Before and After School care is run by a management committee and is supported by the Local Authority Primary Community Team.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club is registered for 26 children under eight years; and 42 children in total; as it also takes children up to 12 years old. Currently, there are 53 children on roll.

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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 enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks/meals at the after school club. Meal time is a social occasion, with tables set out for the children and food served by staff. For example children can choose all or some of the following bread rolls, crackers and margarine spread, chicken, grated cheese, salad leaves with chopped apples, coleslaw, pickles and cucumber. A vegetarian selection is always served and staff are aware of children's dietary needs. Any children with allergies have their photographs displayed on the cupboard door alongside details of their allergy. In total three of the five staff have food hygiene qualifications. The after school children have been looking into healthy eating and have designed for themselves an information board about the right foods to eat. Children are offered drinks of water or fruit squash with their meal. Tables and the floor are cleaned after the meal session. A before school club also runs

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Helping children to be healthy

and although provision to provide breakfast is not in place, children attending can bring their breakfast with them if they wish.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff are aware to document any accidents thoroughly and good procedures are in place. Comments about the accident and any treatment needed is written down and acknowledged by parental signature. Any serious accidents are detailed on a separate form which is copied and sent to the local council. Medication is administered by staff who follow strong guideline procedures and gain parental consent first. Ongoing medication administered by the school is detailed on forms held in the school office. Most of the staff have completed first aid training with another currently on a paediatric training course. Parents are made aware of the sick child policy and children do not attend if suffering sickness/diarrhoea or a contagious disease. Children's health and well-being is therefore well cared for.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn solid hygiene routines from staff at the after school club. Children are reminded to wash their hands before snack/meal time. Children use the school toilets across the corridor from the main hall. The hall used is large, light and airy and opens directly onto the school playground. Children go outside to play here or on the field most days. Children therefore get plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children use the main school hall, which is bright and airy, for the after school sessions. Children have lots of space to move around. Children also have access to the Infant school playground. In the corridor a notice board is set in place for parents, which details some of the policies and procedures as well as rules that the children have written themselves, relating to safety and behaviour. The hall is set up for children when they arrive after school. Children are reminded to store their bags and belongings safely. Resources are kept in cupboard space set aside for the before/after school club and the manager carries out health and safety checks upon her arrival. The club also has its own cupboards, cooker and fridge within the school kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children in the Infant school are collected at the end of the school day; and come straight into the hall. Children in the Junior school walk over together. Secure arrangements are in place for any child attending a club after main school finishes. If this is the case the teacher in charge delivers the child over to the after school staff. Fire procedures and exits are clearly labelled within the hall. Fire drills are carried out every four months with comments and times noted.

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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 Staff take the register and detail the children attending. On leaving, parents sign the children out and a note is made of the time children depart. Staff sign in and out too in a separate register.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe within the care of the staff at the club as secure procedures are in place for child protection. Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. An incident book is in place to detail any concerns and parents are made aware of the policy. The manager has specific responsibilities for child protection and her and another staff member have completed relevant training. Procedures are in place which follow the Local Safeguarding Children's Board and which include the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the after school club. Activities and resources are set out for them as they arrive and snack/meal time takes place as soon as children from both schools are present. Staff and children have warm relationships and happily talk to one another as the session progresses and during the meal. Children warmly greet one another, their siblings and friends as the hall fills. The mix of under eight year olds to those over eight is good. Children play together well regardless of age or gender.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff plan activities on a weekly basis and these plans include, for example, Battleships, colouring and painting, trains sets, dressing up, races, hospitals, tents and skittles. However, children can change the planned activities and staff are happy to oblige any requests. Children can access the resources set out for them easily; and these include board games such as Scrabble, Snakes and Ladders, Monster mix up; jigsaws; and art and craft.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children also have many opportunities to make good use of the school grounds. Children are supervised well whilst outside and are given a range of play equipment, including ball, skipping ropes, cricket bats and hoops.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met well. Staff get to know the children and treat them with respect. This enables children to feel valued. Staff are strong role models who get on well together. Staff encourage children to join in with activities and to mix well with one another. Staff are aware to treat sensitive issues of any child's particular needs confidential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff have strong links with parents and the committee. The club was founded in 1990 and the same manager is still in post. Other staff have been employed for a considerable time. Parents give positive feedback about the staff who care for their children. Staff ensure that parents are greeted as they collect their children and pass on any information that is needed in relation to the child's well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well; and are polite and courteous throughout the session. Children have designed their own rules regarding behaviour and safety within the setting. These are displayed on both notice boards.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provision offers both before and after school care. Children are happy and settled. They form strong relationships with each other and the staff who care for them. The manager has completed her formal training and another two members of staff are working towards a relevant qualification. Staff hold or are currently taking first aid training and three members of staff have completed a course in food hygiene. The staff working at the club have other responsibilities and roles within the main school during the day also; and therefore get to know the children well.

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Organisation

Accident and medication records are completed thoroughly. Parents sign to acknowledge. Registers record children's attendance and parents sign children out noting the departure time. Staff are aware of children's dietary needs and any allergies and these are highlighted well. Children's individual records are completed as required and stored confidentially. Parental consents are in place for photographs and emergency treatment/advice to be sought. If children are taken on outings a written consent is made. The Ofsted poster and liability insurance is in place and displayed. However, the certificate of registration which is a condition of registration is not displayed in a place easily accessible to parents. Children could therefore be potentially at risk as parents are unaware of the conditions of registration.

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Organisation

The provision 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 after school club was set two recommendations. These were, firstly to ensure that half the staff obtain a level 2 childcare qualification. The club met this recommendation in that the manager and another member of staff qualified at Level 3. However, this member of staff subsequently left. Currently two other members of staff are taking an appropriate Level 2 course. In part then, the provision have met this recommendation. Children's welfare is increased therefore through staff's knowledge, training and experience.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Secondly, to ensure that the person in charge obtains a level 3 childcare qualification. The provision has met this recommendation. The manager has qualified in an appropriate Level 3 course.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required Ofsted or the provider to take action in order to meet 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): • reconsider the positioning of the certificate of registration to enable parents to view more easily.

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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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