Maple Tree Primary School

Asension Play Holiday Play School Inspection report for early years provision

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132236 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2008 Inspection date Jennifer Liverpool Inspector

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Cundy Play Building, Cundy Park, 112 Victoria Dock Road, London, E16 1DA

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E-mail

Ascension Play 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?

Ascension After School Club and Holiday Play Scheme was registered in 1999. The club and play scheme is run by the Ascension Management Committee, which is a voluntary organisation. It is a single floor building in Cundy Park in the area of Custom House in the London borough of Newham. A maximum of 27 children may attend at any one time. The club is open each week day from 15.30 to 18.00 during term time and the play scheme is open each week day from 08.00 to 18.00 during half terms, Easter and summer holidays. Areas used for the play scheme include the main play room and quiet room.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 20 children under eight years on roll. Children aged eight to 11 years also attend. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The club and play scheme currently support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club and play scheme employ three members of staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications. The club also employs regular volunteers.

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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 receive appropriate treatment in the event of sustaining minor injuries because staff are trained in first aid and have access to a fully stocked first aid box. Appropriate daily routines and staff's own sound practice, such as wiping down tables before use, safe storage of food and washing hands before preparing lunch help to prevent the spread of cross infection. Children learn about their personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands before meals; health posters on display in the toilet areas reinforce their understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary requirements are met as staff are provided with information about children's likes, dislikes and allergies prior to admission. Children are provided with a variety of food that includes pasta dishes, vegetables and jacket potatoes and fillings. Children who attend the after school provision are offered hot or cold snacks with a choice of low calorie drinks. Whilst fresh fruits are offered daily to children who attend after school, fresh fruits are rarely offered to those who attend the holiday play scheme. Children have access to drinking water and help themselves when they need to. Children enjoy regular physical activities that keep them healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's safety is put at risk as insufficient precautions are taken to ensure that the fire safety equipment is regularly checked and maintained for in the event of a fire. The labelling on the fire extinguishers shows that the last service check was completed in 2000. Regular volunteers are taken into account in staffing ratios particularly for helping with escorting children from schools to the setting and they also attend in the absence of staff. In spite of these appropriate measures the manager does not make good use of the contingency arrangements that are in place. This is because during the morning period only one adult is on duty for over an hour. At this time, children are not well supervised, particularly when having access to two play rooms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Basic risk assessments help to identify any potential hazards on short journeys or at the park and to alert staff to toys or equipment that are in need of repair. A satisfactory range of play materials and equipment is available for children. With the exception of some books, most resources are well maintained and in good repair. Staff have a generally good understanding of child protection issues and know how to proceed if they have a concern about a child in their care. This supports children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled within the setting because staff are friendly and approachable. In addition to this, children are introduced to adults, peers, daily routines and the ground rules, creating a supportive environment that enables them to feel secure. The level of staff interaction with children is generally good, particularly when there are sufficient staff on duty. Suitable arrangements are in place to pick up children from schools within the locality to attend the after school club provision.

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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 attending the holiday play scheme have opportunities for active and adventurous play, quiet activities and relaxation. Staff make good use of the surrounding area, ensuring that children have regular opportunities to play in the open fields. They have access to a range of outdoor play equipment and participate in sporting events such as football, obstacle courses and badminton. Children's creative development is encouraged through making kites, using straws to design 'dream homes', making a collage of pictures representing summer themes and also participating in group painting and drawing of sea creatures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with sufficient opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the community and the wider world. For example, they have access to multi-racial dolls, books that depict positive images of diversity and participate in discussions about the flags of different countries. Wall displays enable children to recall various cultural celebrations. Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are welcomed to the setting. The setting has experience of working with children with additional needs and staff are able to adapt activities to ensure all children are included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They cooperate well together as they share and take turns during games. Children benefit from the praise and encouragement they receive from staff and also from some basic ground rules that are consistently applied. Staff have sound working relationships with parents. Staff ensure that parents are provided with copies of the setting's policies to enable them to be informed about the running of the provision. In addition to this, parents are provided with the procedures to follow if they wish to make a complaint. Daily informal feedback helps to promote continuity of care for children.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children's safety and well-being is compromised because the required staffing levels of a minimum of two adults on duty are not maintained. This means that children are not well supervised at all times and put at risk in the event of an emergency. The attendance register for staff has not been completed for four consecutive days during the holiday play scheme's first week of operation. As a result, the levels of staffing on these days are not confirmed. A tick system is used to record children's attendance when they arrive and depart at varying times. This is a breach of regulation as the actual times of children's attendance are not recorded. Consequently, in the event of the need to check historical records, children are not fully protected. Overall, the setting does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

The manager has sufficient knowledge of current child care practices to support the care of children in the setting; however, she is not suitably qualified as required by the National Standards for the position of the person in charge. There are appropriate recruitment and vetting procedures in place to ensure that suitable persons look after children. Policies and procedures are in line with current legislation and guide staff in their daily practices particularly with regards to providing appropriate opportunities for children's play and their general health.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the setting was asked to make sure that the behaviour management policy is implemented by all staff.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Behaviour management issues and strategies for dealing with behaviour are now understood and implemented by staff. This ensures that staff are consistent in applying agreed procedures and encourages children to behave in a positive manner.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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: • develop and implement an action plan that sets out how the manager will achieve a level 3 qualification • ensure that there is a minimum of two staff on duty at all times • make sure that the fire safety equipment is regularly serviced • ensure that the children's and staff's attendance registers are accurately maintained to include their 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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