Slaithwaite After School Club

Slaithwaite After School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Slaithwaite After School Club

Unique Reference Number 311421 Inspection date 21 November 2005 Inspector Ann Law

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Slaithwaite After School Club

Setting Address Community Centre, Bankgate, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD7 5DL Telephone number 01484 846727

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E-mail

Registered person Slaithwaite After School Club Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School 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 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 - enforcement action. 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?

Slaithwaite After School Club is a voluntary organisation managed by a committee. It opened in 1991 and operates from three rooms in a community building in the centre of Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield. The club is open each weekday during term time from 15.30 until 18.00. The holiday play scheme operates from 08.00 until 18.00. Children have access to an outdoor play area. There are currently 54 children aged from 4 years to 12 years on roll. The club employs eight members of staff. The manager holds an appropriate play work

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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 qualification and one member of staff is working towards a play work qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay mainly healthy because staff follow appropriate health and hygiene guidelines when preparing children's snacks. The snacks provided are adequate. For example, on the day of the inspection children had buttered cream crackers and a drink of juice. Children have been consulted regarding the provision of nourishing snacks such as jacket potatoes and pasta dishes, but these have yet to be offered. A basic policy is in place for the cleanliness and safety of the provision. However, this is insufficiently implemented to fully safeguard children's health and some dirty toys compromise their health. Children follow consistent routines and wash their hands after using the toilet and before snack time. They use soap and paper towels to prevent the spread of infection. Children enjoy physical activity and eagerly participate in dancing and running games. This allows them to develop their gross

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Helping children to be healthy

motor skills and expend energy, developing a positive attitude to exercise. Some comfortable seating is available for children who wish to rest, adequately promoting their physical well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The registered person and the staff have an insecure knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and this exposes children to unacceptable risks. Not all staff have been vetted and found suitable to work with children; no policy is in place advising staff of what to do if a child is lost or uncollected and the procedures for child protection are inadequate. The child protection procedures do not consider all forms of child abuse. They do not comply with local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures and they do not include procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against a member of staff or volunteer. As a result, children's welfare is not protected when in the care of the provision. Children have safe access to a sufficient range of age-appropriate toys, furniture and resources which are presented on table tops and on the floor to encourage their

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

independent self-selection. However, these are not well-maintained. They are learning how to keep themselves safe through appropriate reminders from staff, for instance, 'don't run around on the hall floor in your socks or you might fall and hurt yourself'. Accidents are adequately managed, although some records do not contain children's full name. These records are shared with parents to facilitate children's continuity of care.

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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 The provision is good. Children are very involved in the day to day activities and experiences in the club. They are consulted in the planning of the activities and choose what they want to do in the coming week, for example baking, computer competitions or a tasting game. As a result, children actively participate in their choice of activity and show interest in what they do. They are very enthusiastic in their play, for example musical bumps, with children organising and taking responsibility for the music, which develops their confidence and self-esteem. The participating children display healthy competition as they strive to be the first to 'bump' when the music stops. Children choose from the many activities that are presented for them, such as arts and crafts, computer games, dancing competitions and play dough. This encourages

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their decision making skills. Staff ensure that the club is involved in their local village and children are currently making decorations for a Christmas tree to be displayed in the church alongside other community groups. As a consequence, children experience and are developing a sense of community. The activity of making the decorations allows children to express their creativity and use their initiative in designs, through the good range of craft materials that are available for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children's individual needs are adequately met in the club, because staff seek the necessary information from parents in order to identify any additional needs they may have, such as special dietary requirements. Children with special educational needs are welcomed into the club. However, management have failed to ensure that the written statement for special needs is consistent with current legislation. Children are learning responsible behaviour as they have been actively involved in writing their own club rules for behaviour. As the children have ownership of the rules, and the staff use positive behaviour management techniques, the children are happy and settled and good standards of behaviour are maintained. Parents have access to two notice boards in the setting, but much of the information displayed is incorrect or out of date, including the complaints procedure and the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

insurance certificate. The policies and procedures are mostly insufficient and provide parents with poor information regarding the service provided. As a result, parents do not have sufficient information to make an informed choice about the provision. They are not provided with the necessary information in order to make a complaint about the club and this does not promote an effective partnership between the club and parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The poor organisation of the provision puts children's safety and welfare at risk. Although some policies and procedures are in place, many contain insufficient detail and do not provide staff with the necessary information to safeguard children's

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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 welfare. The registered person has a complacent attitude to her responsibilities within the National Standards for day care and as a result many regulations are not met. Recruitment and vetting procedures fail to ensure that all of the staff caring for the children are suitable to do so. This poses a serious risk to children's safety. Staff turnover is high and this has a negative impact on children's welfare. None of the new staff hold any childcare qualifications, therefore they do not have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide at least satisfactory care overall for children. However, the staff do organise the setting sufficiently and manage their time well to ensure that children feel settled and are able to initiate their own play and learning. Some of the required documentation is in place, but the manager of the provision is

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Organisation

unaware of the lengths of time that the documentation has to be retained for. As a result, attendance registers and medication records are not kept. No staff details are kept on the premises and the manager is unaware of the surnames of a number of staff members. Overall, the needs of the children are not met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the club was asked to improve safety, documentation, procedures, levels of staff qualifications and provision for children to rest and eat. The upholstered seats have been recovered, providing children with a suitable place to rest and they use age-appropriate tables and chairs for snacks. The trailing wires have now been pinned up and socket covers are in place. However, the actions raised to introduce a procedure in the instance of a child being lost or uncollected and to ensure the child protection procedure complies with local ACPC procedures have not been met. As a result, children's safety is still at risk on the premises. The action raised to keep written records, signed by parents, of medicines given to children has not been met and as a result regulations fail to be met. The club was also asked to improve the levels of qualified staff. The manager now holds a relevant

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Improvements since the last inspection

level 3 qualification in play work and one other member of staff is working towards level 2 in play work. Many new members of staff have been employed without the required level of qualification. This demonstrates ineffective recruitment procedures and the minimum requirement for levels of qualified staff remain insufficient.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 - enforcement action. 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

Ofsted is taking enforcement action to safeguard the welfare of children.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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