Cavalry Primary School

St. Paul's After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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110674 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2008 Inspection date Alison Jane Kaplonek Inspector

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St. Paul's Catholic School, City Road,Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG31 4SZ

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E-mail

St Pauls 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?

St. Paul's After School Club is based at St. Paul's Catholic School, and is set in a residential area close to the centre of Tilehurst.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club is open for children from the school, and is registered for 32 children, aged 4 to under 8 years. There are currently 25 children on roll who are under the age of eight years. The club offers before and after school care including breakfast and/or a substantial tea time snack. It opens from 8.00 to 08.50 and 15.20 until 18.00

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club has access to the extensive outside play area attached to the school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The after school club is run by a parent committee, which employs ten members of staff who have completed the Take Five play work course or are working toward an NVQ 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 develop a good range of skills during their physical play. They enjoy their outdoor time in the school playground when they can access a good range of equipment which enables them to practise skills such as, climbing, scooting and balancing. They also have opportunities, in the summer, to use the copse area, where they can hunt for bugs or collect natural materials, in the shade of the trees.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children help themselves to a nutritious range of snacks at breakfast and at high tea, such as cereals, sandwiches, or pizza and salad. They also enjoy a vast selection of different fruits and often help staff to prepare these. They learn social skills whist serving each other and enjoy the interaction with their friends and staff during meal times. They can access drinking water at all times during the sessions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal care and can independently access the toilet and washing facilities. Their physical needs are well met because staff follow effective procedures and practices. They consult with parents about the children's health needs and keep appropriate records on site.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming environment. Good use of the available space enables them to move freely within the hall, confidently accessing well maintained toys and play materials. Children benefit from staff who are vigilant in their monitoring and supervision of the areas being used. Hazards are identified by staff who carry out daily, visual risk assessments on the equipment and the premises. All adults wishing to collect children, must ring the bell to gain access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good understanding of the need for children to have the freedom to take risks within a safe environment and children are encouraged to think about their own safety, assess risks and adapt their own games accordingly. They know that they must wear a helmet when riding bicycles or scooters. They practice fire evacuations regularly and have all been involved in making the club rules. Children are well protected by staff who have a clear understanding of child protection procedures. Staff understand that they have a duty to report any concerns they may have about the children in their care. They share information about accidents and incidents with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have easy access to a good range of resources and activities which are suitable for all ages and abilities. These include, indoor and outside play, access to a quiet area with books, craft activities, cooking and imaginative play, such as, making dens or dressing up. Children are interested and involved and enjoy the interaction with both adults and their peers. They learn to share and take turns, for example, waiting for their go on the scooters or trikes. They cooperate well as they build junk models together, deciding which materials to use and how to join them, often producing quite complex finished products.

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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 Children enjoy their sessions at the breakfast and after school club. They arrive eager to take part and many confidently request favourite activities, such as making dens or craft activities. They are well supported by staff who understand that after a hard day at school, some may want to relax whilst others may still have energy to spare. Consequently, sessions are often child led providing children with a good choice of activities, both indoors and out.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and fully included in the routine of the breakfast and after school club. They play an active part in their choice of activities and selection of resources, and contribute to the rules of the setting. They often help to tidy up resources or to prepare and hand out the food or drinks. Their individual needs and personalities are valued by staff, who praise and reward good behaviour. As a consequence, children behave well. Children gain an awareness of the needs of others as they talk about festivals such as Christmas or Chinese new year. They also try foods or listen to music from other countries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are provided with a good range of information via the notice board and from regular feedback from the staff. They can see photographs of the activities their children have taken part in or discuss their children's day with staff as they collect them. Policies and procedures are available for parents to see and include a complaints procedure and record. Registration forms are completed giving details of children's individual needs. However, permission to take photographs or seek emergency treatment or advice is not obtained.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well settled and happy in the organised environment. They are cared for in secure premises where staff are appropriately checked and well qualified. Staff work directly with the children, are well deployed and understand their roles and responsibilities, ensuring that children's individual needs are well met. However, information regarding staff checks does not fully comply with data protection laws.

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Organisation

All essential records are kept for each child and shared with the parents, ensuring that children's welfare and care are of a good standard. Staff know the children well and know which children are due in each session ensuring that they arrive at the hall from the main school. Daily registers are completed for children, staff and visitors, although not all parents remember to complete them as they take their children home.

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Organisation

Children benefit from organised staff who have clear roles and responsibilities and receive regular appraisals. A good range of policies and procedures which are implemented by staff, ensures that the before and after school club 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 club were asked to include a system to record any incident of physical restraint. This information is now kept in a confidential record book.

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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 club were also asked to inform Ofsted of any significant changes including changes to staff and committee. The committee now ensure that Ofsted is informed of all changes.

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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): • ensure that parental permission is obtained for staff to take photographs and to seek emergency treatment or advice. • devise a system to record staff checks in line with data protection laws. • ensure that registers show accurate times of departure for all children.

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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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