The Whartons After School Club

The Whartons After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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EY353084 Unique Reference Number 19 May 2008 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan Inspector

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The Whartons Primary School, The Whartons, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 2BS

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E-mail

The Whartons 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?

The Whartons After School Club opened in 2007. It is situated within The Whartons Primary School, in Otley, a suburb of Leeds. It operates from a number of areas in the school. A maximum of 24 children may attend the club at any one time. The club is open from 15.15 to 18.00, Monday to Friday, term time only. All children have access to an enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 41 children aged from four to eight years old on roll. The setting offers care, after school, to children attending the Whartons School, although the club will collect from other schools in the locality.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting employs two staff, both of whom hold an early years qualifications and attend regular training.

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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 understanding about the importance of healthy practices through effective daily routines and staff explanations. They are encouraged to practice good routines of personal hygiene and wash their hands independently after messy play, toileting, before eating and also the preparing of snacks. Children develop a good approach to physical exercise. The session is well organised each day to ensure they have reasonable opportunities both indoors and outdoors to develop their physical skills. For example, children can access a outdoor area and the school hall. Children are well cared for in the event of illness or an accident. Staff have attended first aid training, ensuring that accidents are recorded and the administering of medication is fully implemented. However, recorded accidents do not maintain confidentially.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are kept safe from the spread of infection through staff cleaning tables before and after activities and the following of hygiene routines. They have detailed procedures in place to ensure food is stored and prepared safely. Some staff have attended a food hygiene course. Children's individual dietary needs are fully met, as staff gain information on all children's dietary requirements on registration and the list is displayed in the kitchen area. They are offered a healthy, balanced diet and can independently access drinks throughout the session. For example, children are given sandwiches, crumpets, fruit and children also make their own pizzas. This ensures children are in a healthy environment.

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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 warm and welcoming environment, which is clean and adequately maintained. The rooms and resources are well organised, which enables children to move around freely and safely. They have free access to a very good range of toys and play equipment, which meets the needs of all children attending. For example, sports equipment, games, construction, arts and crafts are all accessible to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of potential hazards and take steps to minimise risks to children. Most safety measures are in place, including fire evacuation plans, the practising and recording of fire drills. However, the club does not have a fire blanket. The staff are aware of conducting risk assessments and these are done daily and weekly and recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from abuse or neglect through the staffs understanding and knowledge. The staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedure to follow if they have any concerns. There is a child protection policy and procedure available to parents and staff. Staff have attended training and are aware of the importance of keeping this up to date. The club have contact numbers and makes parents and staff aware of the procedures in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children's independence is promoted through an extensive variety of opportunities. They move around freely accessing toys, play equipment and drinks, and learn to be independent. The children's opinion is highly valued through them having free choice of toys. Children are fully involved in a vast range of enjoyable activities, all of which develop their language, imagination,

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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 creative and physical development. For example, games, construction, role play, computer, sewing, extensive range of arts and crafts. Children can access a wide range of outdoor activities that take place either outdoors dependent on weather and children's choice, and in the school hall. For example, balls, hoola hoops, climbing frame, outdoor chalks. Children are encouraged through the enthusiastic and excellent relationships they have with staff to participate in a superb range of team games. For example, dodge ball, tennis, rounders, cricket and basket ball.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff do highly comprehensive planning for daily activities and this covers all areas of learning. The children are encouraged to contribute to this, ensuring that they feel part of the club, as the planning is very flexible and children can choose to alter the plans if they wish to do so.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are very happy and settled and are keen to communicate with staff, enthusiastically showing them things they have done and talking to them about their experiences. The children are extremely confident and self assured in the setting. For example, children talk to all peers about their day and the activities they are doing. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement to help raise their self-esteem. They build warm relationships with staff, who are very interested in them, constantly interacting with the children and asking them questions to make them think.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and are treated with equal concern. All children are welcome, regardless of ability. Children are given opportunities to increase their knowledge of the wider world through discussions with staff and celebrating of festivals. The club has a good range of resources for children, depicting all areas. This ensures that children learn about their community and the wider world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given good opportunities to develop their understanding of the difference between right and wrong. For example, children have devised their own behaviour rules for the club and these are displayed. The children behave well and show concern for each other. Staff explain the reasons behind behaviour boundaries to help children learn to understand the consequences of their actions. They are given lots of praise and encouragement to reinforce good behaviour, with staff using an appropriate range of strategies to suitably manage their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is effective and children's individual needs are met, as staff work alongside parents to collect detailed information about each child at registration. They are informed about the setting and their child through discussions and exchanges of information verbally, through regular newsletters and an informative notice board. There is a complaint procedure displayed for parents and both they and staff are aware of the procedure. This ensures that the club works with parents in a positive manner.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The setting is organised and the surroundings are bright and welcoming, with displays of the children's work. Staffing ratios are adhered to and the group has a good number of staff on supply if required. Staff have relevant qualifications and some are working towards further childcare qualifications. Appropriate vetting procedures are carried out on all staff. They have a suitable induction, which helps them understand their roles and responsibilities and staff effectively implement routines to give children a very good range of experiences.

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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 Children benefit from deployed staff who interact with them and give them support and encouragement, which helps them feel secure and confident. All policies and procedures are implemented and available to staff and parents. Space and resources are well organised to meet the needs of all children.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 accident forms are kept in a confidential manner • ensure a fire blanket is sited in the kitchen area.

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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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