Children Making A Change

Children Making A Change Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344572 Unique Reference Number 08 July 2008 Inspection date Katie Dempster Inspector

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Wembley Primary School, East Lane, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 7NW Setting Address

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E-mail

Joan Patricia McFarlane 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children Making A Change out of school club is privately owned and operates from the junior hall in Wembley Primary School, Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The provision is registered for 24 children from four to eight years. There are currently 13 children under eight on roll. Children over eight years also attend. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are two staff employed to work with the children, however, they do not have a relevant child care qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning some appropriate hygiene practices as they talk about why it is important to have clean hands before eating. Children do not attend the club if they are infectious or

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 unwell, as indicated in the sick child policy. Record keeping systems are in place for accidents and medication administration. No entries were seen at the time of inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise in and outdoors. They have fun playing team games, football and activities with balls and cones.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks, including crackers, pita bread, cucumber sticks and a selection of fruit. One staff member holds a food hygiene qualification and children's individual dietary requirements are recorded and displayed in the kitchen for staff to refer to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The club is made welcoming for children as the session is set up for them as they arrive. Well-maintained, clean furniture and equipment is available to meet the needs of all the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Systems are in place to monitor who has access onto the premises as parents, carers and other visitors must ring the bell to gain entry. However, not all visitors are asked to sign in on arrival. Children's safety is promoted in the event of a fire. A clear fire evacuation procedure is in place and displayed on the parents' notice board which is in the foyer. Staff carry out daily risk assessments, which are displayed on the wall once completed. They cover all areas used by the children and are done on a rota basis to ensure all staff are aware of possible hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is adequately safeguarded from the risk of abuse as all staff have an understanding of child protection issues and the reporting procedures to follow in the event of suspected abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children arrive happily to the after school club. Staff plan activities according to six different areas of play. For example, under creative play, children express how they enjoy the dough activities. There is a range of arts and crafts, for instance, drawing and threading, as well as table top games including dominos and Monopoly. Staff provide a fun quiet area for children to sit quietly after their day at school in the form of a tent in which children may sit and play quietly or read a book from the selection available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are engaged during their time at the club. They play together at the snooker table discussing which balls to pot, cheering each other on. Children's independence is encouraged as they are given the opportunity to make choices in their play. For example, Fridays are left clear on the weekly plans as this is the day children choose the activities, toys and resources they would like to play with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Staff create a calm atmosphere for the children, ensuring raised voices are kept to minimum. This has a positive impact on children's behaviour. The setting's behaviour management policy sets out appropriate strategies for dealing with all types of behaviour. For example, when challenging negative behaviour, staff remain calm and take the children away from the situation. Staff ensure children have understood when they explain the outcome of the situation.

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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 A small range of resources are available that reflect positive images of diversity and promote children's understanding of how other people live. Children have access to puzzles, books and dolls. Two dolls in particular with different skin tones and different textured hair provide a good source for children to talk about how and why people look different. A policy is in place to ensure the inclusion of children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the partnership with parents that has been formed. Relevant information about each child is recorded to ensure their needs are known and a range of useful information is displayed for parents on a notice board, including weekly activity plans, menus and the setting's complaints procedure. Staff seek feedback from parents in the form of a questionnaire which staff then discuss as a team.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The setting has in place systems for the recruitment of staff and all children's records are maintained. However, individual records for all staff members do not include all relevant information, including criminal record checks. Staff qualification ratios are not met as less than half of all staff members hold an appropriate childcare qualification. Furthermore, there is no suitably qualified person to take charge in the manager's absence. This is a breach of regulation.

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Organisation

There is a system for registering children as staff sign them in and record the time they arrive and leave the club. However, the staff registration system does not show hours of attendance, as they only tick themselves in under the relevant days. This is a breach of regulation. There is no accurate record of which staff members are on site at a particular time, which may be important information for future use and may also compromise their safety in the event of a fire.

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Organisation

The setting does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were a number of significant weaknesses and 11 actions were raised. These related to staff qualifications, records, children's safety and play resources available. Since the last inspection some improvements have been made.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Most of the regulatory records and documents are in place which include all necessary information to ensure the safety of children. However, staff files do not contain all necessary information. Play activities are planned in advance which provide a fun and balanced session for the children, along with newly purchased toys and equipment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

However, staff qualification ratios are still not being met. Half of staff are not suitably qualified to be working with the children and a qualified manger is not in place at all times.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure that there is a suitably qualified person to take charge in the manager's absence • ensure at least half of all staff hold a level 2 qualification appropriate for the care or development of children • ensure individual staff records include all necessary information and are accessible at all times • ensure staff's registers show hours of attendance. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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