Welbeck, the Defence Sixth Form College

Elm Grove Out of School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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130784 Unique Reference Number 07 November 2007 Inspection date Fran Fielder Inspector

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Elm Grove CP School, Elm Grove, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 3ES Setting Address

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E-mail

Elm Grove Out of 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?

Elm Grove Out Of School Club has been registered since 2001. It is a committee run group that operates from the dining hall and main assembly hall of Elm Grove Junior School. Children have access to the school playgrounds.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

During term time, the group provides after school care and a breakfast club. There is also a holiday club. The breakfast club is open from 08.00 until 09.00 and the after school facility is open from 15.10 until 18.00. The holiday club is open from 08.00 until 18.00.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All three provisions are registered to care for a maximum of 50 children aged from four years to under eight years at any one time. Children up to the age of 11 years also attend. Children attend a variety of sessions. Currently there are 40 children under eight on roll. The club supports a number of children who have learning difficulties and makes provision for those who speak English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are 10 members of staff who work with the children, of whom eight hold a relevant 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 good. Children enjoy a good range of healthy snacks after school. During the summer months, they receive food such as pitta bread with hummus or filled wraps. In colder weather, children receive a warm snack such as toast and baked beans or noodles. Children also enjoy a range of fresh fruit such as apple, pear and melon. Drinks are always available and children can help themselves to water.

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Helping children to be healthy

The environment is clean and staff follow good procedures to prevent the spread of infection. Staff are good role models and take all steps to prevent the spread of infection. Staff gather all necessary information to support children's medical and dietary needs. Staff act in the child's best interest if they are taken ill while at the club. They make children comfortable while waiting for a parent or carer to collect.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of physical activities that contribute to their good health. Indoors they play dodge ball, parachute games and bench ball. Outside they play team games such as football and enjoy skipping or tennis. During the summer holidays, they also play water games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a bright and welcoming hall that is well laid out. The spacious accommodation allows children to move freely between activities. Children have easy and safe access to a good range of toys and resources. These are carefully selected to ensure they provide stimulation and are suitable for the ages of the children attending. Children enjoy contributing to the bright displays around the hall.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The security is very good ensuring children are unable to leave the premises without a suitable adult. Good routines and gentle reminders from staff help children learn about safety within the setting. Staff deployment is effective and guarantees children are well supervised and safe both indoors and out. Children and staff practise fire drills regularly. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency. A daily checklist before each session identifies any potential hazards so these can be addressed quickly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and know what action to take if they have concerns about a child in their care. This ensures staff quickly recognise when a child is in danger and can act in the child’s best interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are keen to attend the club and are very happy, confident and independent. They play in a busy but relaxed atmosphere where they learn important social skills. While playing on the computer children share extremely well and enjoy chatting about the games. The different ages learn to play together and respect each other's level of ability. Staff lay out activities but also encourage children to plan the sessions, which means children truly enjoy the activities. Relationships between children and adults are very good. Staff focus on children's enjoyment of the activities.

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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 The planning is extremely good and an excellent range of activities interest children of all ages. They enjoy things like soap making, leaf printing, painting and creating mosaics. Cooking is especially popular and a regular feature. Children decorate their own pizzas with scary faces for Halloween. Children learn to sew, make dream catchers, jewellery and salt dough name plaques. Visitors to the group supports children's understanding of the local community and the wider world. Children enjoy visits from the emergency services, Egyptian dancers and magicians. Children's fascination with 'creepy crawlies' is enhanced by visitors who bring small creatures to the group. This gives children the opportunity to handle snakes and to look at spiders, cockroaches and other mini-beasts. Staff have a very clear insight into what children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff set a good example by showing respect for children and adults alike. Children have access to a range of resources and activities that support their understanding of people from different backgrounds. Art and craft activities and dressing up help children learn about different festivals such as Divali, Chinese New Year and Hanukah.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children know the routines well and staff are clear about the expectations of behaviour. Good relationships are evident between different age groups. Staff are consistent when managing behaviour and give support where needed. Children respond well when staff remind them of the rules within the setting. Children play anti-bullying games and their ideas are displayed on the Children's Rights board. This shows how staff value and respect children's thoughts and feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive good information about the provision and are very happy with the service provided. The group have a close working relationship with the school. Some information is provided for parents through school newsletters and notices. Although parents receive details of some policies and procedures these are not readily available without parents having to ask. Parents find staff friendly and say their children really love coming to the club. They say the atmosphere and staff's approach create a nurturing environment. Parents also enjoy social events each year.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All staff have experience of working with children and all have appropriate checks to ensure they are suitable to work with young children. Staff organise space well to ensure children gain fully from all activities. Staff deployment is effective and ensures good supervision at all times. There are effective recruitment and induction procedures in place. This means that suitable, experienced and qualified persons look after children. Staff have a very good understanding of their role and spend their time focussed on the children. Staff have the opportunity to attend training and this ensures they are up-to-date with current practice.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place and appropriately maintained but the operational plan is not effectively used as a working document. Written policies and procedures reflect practice but some lack relevant information and detail. However, staff have a good understanding of how the group operates ensuring effective provision for children. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the group were asked to produce some written procedures and maintain some documentation appropriately. They were also asked to improve the nutritional quality of the snacks and to increase resources and activities to reflect diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There is now a sick child policy and there are procedures to follow in the event of a child being lost or uncollected. This ensures staff can act in children's best interests at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Snacks provided are healthy with fresh fruit and vegetables always on the menu. This helps children develop good eating habits. Staff plan a range of activities that are fun and introduce children to different cultures. Resources reflect all aspects of society encouraging children to develop a positive attitude towards differences.

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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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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): • review the policies and procedures to ensure all relevant information is included and make these available to parents at all times • review and reorganise the operational plan

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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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