St Bernards Catholic High School, Barrow

Cool & Crazy Shinfield After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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148702 Unique Reference Number 18 March 2008 Inspection date Claudia Padfield Inspector

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Shinfield St. Mary's CE Junior School, Chestnut Crescent,Shinfield, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 9EJ

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Setting Address

0118 988 3663 (School Phone No) Telephone number

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E-mail

Cool & Crazy Shinfield 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 outstanding. 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 Cool and Crazy Shinfield After School Club is a committee run group. It is held in a ground floor area within the Shinfield St Mary's CE Junior School which is located in a residential area of Shinfield. The club has been registered since 1999 and serves the needs of children who attend the Shinfield Nursery, Infant and Junior Schools, and other schools in the local and surrounding areas.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Cool and Crazy Shinfield After School Club is registered for 26 children between the ages of four and under eight years. However, the club only accepts children from four years six months and allocates a proportion of the 26 places to children between the ages of eight and 11 years. There are currently 73 children on roll, including 27 children under eight. The club holds a waiting list. The after school club opens during school term times, Monday to Friday from 15:30 to 18:00. On the last day of each full term the club opens from 13:30 to 15:30.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are nine staff members who work with the children across the age groups. Staff attend training and receive support from the local Early Years development workers.

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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 outstanding. Children learn about healthy living extremely well in the after school club. Children wash their hands to stop cross infection and understand that this protects them from germs. Staff demonstrate an in depth knowledge of the children's capabilities and give privileges and responsibilities to increase their knowledge and skills. They serve other children of all ages with confidence and skill, happily taking orders for food as they serve. Children are extremely well nourished at snack time and readily try a range of fruit on offer. They have free access to drinking water and return from play in the garden to refresh and have a drink.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff follow written procedures meticulously to help prevent the spread of cross infection and keep children healthy. Children perform daily self care skills with little guidance or reminders from the staff. Older children are considerate to the younger children in the group and provide support if required. This builds a strong sense of community and effectively teaches the children good skills as a matter of routine. Arrangements for administering first aid and medication meet all requirements, staff are considerate and gentle when dealing with bumps and knocks. These are all effectively documented and shared with the parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children relish the freedom of the outdoor space and enjoy the free flow in and out of doors. The children organise team games such as football and insist on staff participation. Staff promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage the children to use a wide variety of physical skills when in the garden. There is a selection of climbing equipment which the children skilfully climb and hang from taking calculated risks with support from the vigilant staff team.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well settled and move confidently around the designated space for after school club. They make full use of the available indoor and outdoor areas, benefiting from using the adjacent school grounds.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Equipment and activities are attractively presented to help children learn to respect and look after their resources. Staff listen to the children's likes and dislikes planning a range of very interesting craft activities which they relish. Staff complete regular reviews of the risk assessments to ensure that the children are well protected, these measures ensure children play in safety because staff follow stipulated procedures meticulously. They use checklists to ensure equipment and rooms are ready for the children's use daily. The documentation and staff knowledge support the children to learn about keeping safe. For example, suitable fire precautions are in place. Children practise 'fire drills' termly, understanding their purpose. Staff skilfully talk to children about what they do and how they can keep themselves safe without removing the opportunity for them to try new skills and develop an understanding about risk

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected. Their welfare is safeguarded and promoted through current policies and procedures. Staff are secure in their knowledge about child protection and comprehensive procedures are in place and implemented effectively. Concerns are dealt with in a sensitive and confidential manner. The Staff understand how to protect themselves and

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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 the children in their care regarding the steps to take in the event of any allegations made against a member of staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy attending this after school club, eagerly telling visitors about their favourite activities. They clearly settle in quickly and feel 'at home', understanding routines, such as snack time and offer staff their help to prepare furniture or meals. Their individual welfare needs are accommodated exceedingly well, as staff know the children and respond with care and interest quickly meeting any requests for different activities or help with a chosen task. Staff discuss the craft activity of the day explaining clearly what the children can do. Then they plan other related activities for the rest of the week, hence children are articulate and confident in making choices because they feel valued by the staff team.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children eagerly enjoy the freedom of the garden and play with the staff team, who recognise individual strengths in the children's ability and use this to build confidence and group cooperation. Staff know how to promote confidence in the children through engaging conversation and using the thoughts and wishes of the children to develop and improve the service they offer. Children have time to develop games and toys they enjoy, playing for sustained periods of time with friends. The staff team invest time in training and short courses to develop a range of interesting and challenging activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children receive an extremely warm welcome at the after school club with its staff determined to make it open to all. Staff know children very well, treating each as an individual and finding out about any additional needs that children have. They do their utmost to make all feel valued and special, working closely with parents and outside professionals, as necessary. Children's needs are expertly met and they are happy and confident in the group, expressing their pleasure in coming. All find something they enjoy doing and clearly understand the setting's expectations. Children and staff enjoy each others company and staff show interest in the children's achievements. For example a child had a reading for church to practise and grew in confidence as the piece became more familiar. This developed the child's self esteem who went on to read it to the head teacher as she walked through the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to an extensive range of resources and activities to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity. Children take part in a range of activities of both familiar and unfamiliar festivals and celebrations. For example, Christmas, Easter and Chinese New Year. Children anticipate the making of chocolate nests later in the week. Staff have positive attitudes and present themselves as sensitive role models. This helps children relate to others and gain a secure understanding of the needs of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive an excellent range of information about the after school club, its activities and what is offered to their children. The newsletter and notice boards further support the level of information available. The group have a highly comprehensive operational plan that is constantly updated and reviewed by the staff team.

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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 outstanding. Children's care is enhanced due to the exceptional organisation of the setting. They benefit from a committed, enthusiastic and highly motivated staff team, who work together very well and support children to the highest level in their play and recreation. They actively engage in children's play, asking them questions to encourage their thinking and implementing new and enjoyable ideas. Robust recruitment, vetting and induction procedures are in place, ensuring that children are cared for by suitable and well informed members of staff.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place, carefully stored, very well-organised and maintained. They are frequently reviewed and are only accessed by staff to ensure that confidentiality is maintained. The range of policies and procedures work very well in practice and are frequently reviewed to ensure that they continue to reflect current good practice and professional advice. Staff work together as a strong and committed team. The delivery of planned activities and events are evaluated to ensure that children's needs are recognised and planned for, which further enhance the experience for the children. Overall 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 a recommendation was raised that staff continue to increase and develop through a range of courses. New staff complete induction training and a supportive management team assists the staff to develop and grow in their skills and knowledge. These systems ensure the staff are developing and evaluating the service they offer.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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 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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