St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Crook

YMCA Portsmouth Grammar School After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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149057 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Lynn Reeves Inspector

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Portsmouth Grammar School, High Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2LN

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E-mail

YMCA Fairthorne Group 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 YMCA Portsmouth Grammar School After School Club has been registered since 2001. It is managed by the YMCA organisation which has charitable status, and operates from Portsmouth Grammar School in Old Portsmouth, Hampshire. The children have use of the facilities of the junior school, including toilets and the grounds of the school. It is run by the YMCA. The group is registered for 60 children aged from four years to eight years. Older children can also attend. The number of children on roll varies.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The out of school club is open five days a week throughout term time. Sessions run from 15:15 to 18:00. The out of school club takes pupils from Portsmouth Grammar School only. The organisation employs five regular members of staff to work with the children, of these two hold appropriate early years 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 learn the importance of personal hygiene as they are reminded to wash their hands after toileting and before eating. However, the procedure for monitoring hand washing is not always effective. For example, children help themselves to additional snacks after playing outside and do not always wash their hands. Procedures are in place to check and clean all toys on a regular basis to prevent the spread of infection. However, the toilet areas are not consistently checked before the children arrive to ensure they are clean and free from hazards, which impacts on children's health and safety. Good procedures are in place for dealing with minor accidents immediately, for example, the first aider keeps the children calm and records the evidence in the appropriate manner.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a range of activities to promote their large muscle control and physical development, for example, playing football, rounders and soft ball in the playground. Younger children practise their balancing skills, walking along planks and playing with the pogo sticks. Children delight in explaining how they like to practise their hip hop dancing and enjoy a range of indoor physical games with the staff, for example, crocodile, crocodile. They develop a healthy lifestyle as they help themselves to drinks, experiment and use their senses during food tasting and cooking activities, for example, making fruit kebabs and icing biscuits. Healthy eating is promoted at the club, where children are provided with a range of healthy options including fresh fruit and vegetables. Procedures are in place to record children's allergies and dietary requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a child-friendly environment where space and resources are organised to allow children opportunities to be active, engage in physical activities, table top and floor activities. General information leaflets, policies, procedures and the club's rules are displayed on the walls. Children can move freely and independently around the setting, whilst being supervised to ensure their safety. Children are provided with a range of toys and equipment, which are age appropriate and displayed at low level to encourage children to make their own choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn how to stay safe as they practise fire drills and they discuss the club rules, for example, not to leave the room without telling anyone, in case of a fire drill. Staff monitor children's play and the resources they access. However, explanations are not followed up by staff, for example, when children run around with food, which impacts on their safety. The club have written procedures and risk assessments in place, although, these are not implemented effectively by all staff. For example, the areas used by the children are not checked for hazards prior to their arrival to ensure children remain safe at all times. The premises are secure and all visitors have to sign in. Staff fully understand the child protection procedures including whom to report their concerns to.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are independent and build secure relationships with each other and staff. Staff welcome the children with smiles and talk to them about what they have done at school. Children make

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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 their own choices from the resources made available and are very familiar with their surroundings. They organise themselves into groups and find their own friends and peers to play with, for example, building cars and robots with the Lego and Bionicle pieces. Consequently, children enjoy the time they spend at the club. Some children choose to sit and do their homework, other children work together harmoniously sharing the chalks as they create lovely firework displays with the bright colours on black paper. Other children use their imagination well, as one child makes a cube box out of paper and sticky labels and another attempts to copy one of the play leaders to draw a silhouette. At the beginning of each session staff sit with the children and discuss the rules and behaviour expectations of the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Several children like to play card games and the staff interact with them well. Children have opportunities to watch the TV or videos on set days and they have access to the school book library. Children benefit from a range of outdoor play opportunities where their physical development is promoted. They enjoying playing various ball games and creating obstacle courses with the planks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop some knowledge of the wider world as they access toys and resources that reflect diversity, for example, ethnic figures, posters, books and puzzles. Most children show sensitivity to each other as they share, take turns and play nicely together. Children learn what is acceptable through sitting down at the start of each session to listen to the club rules. However, at times un-wanted behaviour goes un-challenged and explanations are not always given to children so they fully understand the consequences of staying safe, for example, children running around with food in their mouths. Staff maintain a positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children's self-esteem is promoted as staff use praise and encouragement as children play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Information is made available to parents via the notice boards, policies and procedures. Information is displayed on the walls and newsletters are provided regarding any forthcoming events. Children's individual needs are discussed at handover time to ensure children's safety and welfare is promoted. The appropriate written complaints procedure is in place and parents are happy with information they receive regarding the organisation of the club.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well cared for as they are able to move freely around the setting and make informed choices about what they want to play with. Daily routines, space and resources are organised to ensure children's needs are met. A range of written policies and procedures are in place and made available to parents. Ratios are maintained to provide suitable levels of support to the children, however, the procedures for ensuring the deputy maintains daily responsibilities are not effective and impact on children's health and safety. All the required documentation is stored securely to maintain confidentiality. Overall the organisation 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 provider was asked to ensure that details of staff checks and qualifications are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times.

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Improvements 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 The provider was also asked to ensure that fire drills are recorded. The required documentation regarding staff checks and qualifications are maintained appropriately and available for inspection. Regular fire drills are practised and recorded, ensuring children's safety.

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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. 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): • ensure effective procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection • ensure all staff are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities and that the polices and procedures of the provisions are implemented effectively with regard to risk assessments • further develop staff's knowledge of how to manage children's behaviour • ensure deputies are fully aware of responsibilities when acting as manager

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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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