Our Lady's Catholic Infant After School Club

Our Lady's Catholic Infant After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY260039 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Diane Mary O'Neill Inspector

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Our Ladys RC Junior & Infant School, Henshaw Road, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN8 2BE

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E-mail

Angela Houghton 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?

Our Lady's Catholic Infant After School Club opened in 2003. It operates from the main school hall at Our Lady's Catholic Infant School in Wellingborough. In addition to the hall the club has use of under cover and outdoor play areas, kitchen, toilets and a store room. When the hall is unavailable the club use the reception class areas. Currently, children from the school only use the club. A maximum of 20 children may attend the Out of School Club at any one time. The Out of School Club is open five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 15:15 until 17:30 and a breakfast club 08.00 to 08.55 in addition there is a holiday club which operates from 08.30 to 17.30. All children share access to the schools playground for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 42 children aged from four to 11 years on roll. Currently, children from the school only use the club. The out of school club currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and also supports a number of children who speak English as a additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Out of School Club employs four members of staff and two volunteers. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications and one is working towards a qualification. The Out of School Club receives support from the local authority.

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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’s health and well-being is well-promoted by the staff of the After School Club as they take positive action to encourage healthy practices which are further supported by their policies and procedures to ensure all children’s needs are met. For example, there is a clear exclusion period for certain forms of illness so that preventative measures are in place to avoid the spread of infection. Children’s health is further promoted, as there are clear cleaning and hygiene routines in place to help prevent the spread of infection. Documentation is in place for the recording of accidents, the administration of first aid and medication. There are clear procedures to obtain written permission from parents for the administration of any emergency medical treatment which ensures children’s overall well-being is effectively met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet as staff ensure all snacks are freshly prepared and well-balanced to meet the dietary needs of the children. Some of the staff have undertaken ‘food health training’ to give them further up to date guidance on food preparation. This enables them to offer children even more interesting food variety and healthy snacks, which will promote good health and nutrition for children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children make good progress in their physical development as they are provided with excellent opportunities for physical play through well-planned indoor and outdoor activities. They use the outdoor facilities and confidently use a wide variety of equipment. Some ride scooters, kick footballs and play bat and ball games. The staff on occasions take children to a local park to use climbing equipment. Children manipulate different consistencies such as play dough and other soft materials and use crayons or glue sticks to create works of art.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to use both indoor and outdoor space which staff organised effectively for their use. Staff ensure all areas used by the children are comfortable and they can independently select activities from the extensive range of safe, good quality and developmentally appropriate resources. Children are able to have fun, enjoyment and chill out when necessary. For example, they have set up an art and craft table, quite area, table and floor activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are made safe as staff assess potential risks to the children and put procedures and practices in place to minimise these at all times. Staff have a good awareness of security, as they ensure children can not leave the premises unsupervised and that there is no unauthorised access to children. Emergency evacuation procedures are carried out on a regular basis so children learn about keeping safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are not fully protected as not all staff have a clear understanding of child protection as the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and Department of Health booklet ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’- summary is not in place, therefore, there is the potential for children’s safety to be compromised.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are collected from their class room by staff and brought to the Out of School Club. Children happily interact with each other and enjoy friendly competition especially when playing football together. They have formed equally good relationships with the staff which helps the children be relaxed and interact positively with the staff. The children happily attend the club and enjoy taking part in the variety of activities which are provided. Staff ensure these are stimulating and fun as well as giving children space to chill out and relax.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy free play, doing art and craft activities and accessing the outside play area. Children happily designed their own Christmas pictures and decorations. Some children enjoyed using their imagination as they played with a toy castle and figures. Staff try to plan activities for the children and these are sometimes linked in with themes. All planning is made flexible so any ideas the children may have are incorporated into them. This helps the children to see that they are listened to and that their ideas are valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children who attend the club come from a variety of backgrounds and are all warmly welcomed and valued as individuals. Most of the staff work in the school where the children attend so they know them all very well. Children settle well as they happily arrive at the club after being picked up from their class rooms by the staff. They know the out of school club routine well which helps them to feel safe and secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children attending the club are valued as individuals and taught to be kind, considerate and thoughtful to each other. This is shown through manners and achieving good behaviour. Staff provide good role models for the children by being calm and polite. Staff have high expectations of children’s behaviour, and they manage this in a way that is appropriate to each child’s age and stage of development. The club has very clear rules and behaviour code of practice which all the children are fully aware of.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children learn about equal opportunities through topics which look at other festivals, customs and things that happen in the world. Photographs show the children celebrating Diwali and learning how to wear a sari and tasting Indian sweets. The staff work very closely with parents and the school to meet all needs of the children and some need extra care and support especially with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The club has a very good working relationship with the parents. They are warmly greeted when they arrive to collect their children and given plenty of time to talk with the staff about how their children have been. The staff give the parents regular news letters, use a notice board and devise parents’ questionnaires so they can actively review what they are offering to the parents. The after school club encourages the parents to be involved within the after school club and sometimes parents will share points of interest with the children, talk about a celebration of festivals or customs, which helps extend the children’s learning. The club has developed a clear and concise system for the sharing of any complaints with the parents. This ensures any potential impact on the children’s well-being is fully addressed.

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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. Children are cared for in a well-maintained setting that is organised and run by the committed and dedicated staff team. This benefits all the children who attend the After School Club. The staff team are prepared to enhance their own learning and knowledge through on-going training. Up to date child protection information is important to ensure children are fully protected when attending the After School Club, however, this is not in place at present.

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Organisation

The premises are well-organised, with both indoor and outdoor space used to ensure children obtain the maximum enjoyment and play opportunities. Children arrive and are keen to participate in the After School Club activities and freely move around talking to staff and their peers. Staff work effectively as a team, moving with the flow of the children where they can actively involve themselves in the children’s play when required.

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Organisation

Records and documents are maintained in a very organised and professional manner which ensures children’s welfare and enables parents to be fully informed about their child’s care. The club has informative notice boards and leaflets for parents as well good day to day communication to share information about their children. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to continue to develop and implement an action plan that sets out how staff training and qualification requirements will be met. The After School Club has staff who hold a child care qualification and further staff are going on training for play work. They were also asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The After School Club has invested in equipment and builds in activities to cover festivals and celebration to help children learn. Photographic evidence shows the children getting involved in celebrating Diwali, with the help of a parent.

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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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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): • ensure all child protection information is up to date.(this is to include Local Safeguarding Board and Department of Health 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused'- summary).

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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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