St Chad's Out of School Care

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. St Chad's Out of School Care Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY240122 Inspection date 26/08/2009 Inspector Sharon Greener

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Setting address 21 Liddell Terrace, Bensham, Gateshead, NE8 1YN

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Telephone number 0191 4901032 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

St Chad's Out of School (OSH) Club was registered in 2002. It is part of St Chad's Community Project, a voluntary organisation which provides full day care and crèche facilities as well as out of school care. The OSH club operates from two playrooms and a sports hall located within the community centre. It is located in the Bensham area of Gateshead. The OSH club is opened for 51 weeks a year, each weekday from 08.00 until 18.00 during school holiday periods and from 15.00 until 18.00 during term-time.

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Description of the setting

They are registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Registers for a maximum of 50 children at any one time. There are currently 39 children aged from four to under eight years on roll. The setting also supports children with special educational needs and/or a disability. The OSH club employs nine staff. All staff hold an appropriate early years qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The club offers a very welcoming environment to all children and their families. The staff demonstrate an extremely positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment, where children's individual abilities, preferences and uniqueness are acknowledged and valued. Staff are very proactive in liaising with parents and other agencies to meet children's individual needs, and children make good progress. The required documentation is in place and the vast majority is very well maintained. Staff review the service, care and education provided very well in order to promote continuous improvement, and are realistic in their aims.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure that risk assessment records are consistently signed by the person who completes them  continue to develop methods of monitoring and assessing individual children to support their leaning effectively.

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provision

The required documentation is in place and the vast majority is very well maintained. However, risk assessment records are not consistently signed by the person completing them. Staff are vigilant regarding safety matters. Children are very closely supervised. Regular fire drills are carried out and recorded. Strict procedures are in place regarding the collection of children. Staff understand clearly the action to be taken to safeguard children from harm. Security is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effectively maintained. Recruitment and induction procedures are good. The continued suitability of staff is monitored by ongoing observation of staff practice, and Criminal Records Bureau checks are updated every three years. Staff benefit from annual appraisals, regular supervision sessions and team meetings. They are effectively deployed and work efficiently as a team. Good procedures are in place

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provision

to assess the service, care and education provided. Areas for further development are identified and tasked very well. Staff show a genuine commitment to the improvement of the service provided. Recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed. Staff have a very good knowledge of policies and procedures which they implement very well. For example, they understand the action to be taken regarding a lost or uncollected child or the management of a complaint.

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provision

Links forged with other professionals and agencies are most effective. For instance, staff work with teaching staff in schools to mutually support children's learning. The manager is part of a community multi-agency group. She attends bi- monthly meetings to discuss pertinent issues with social workers, health visitors, neighbourhood police officers, members of the neighbourhood-watch group and staff from the youth offending team. Staff attend regular meetings with other practitioners and agencies to discuss inclusion and share good practice. Parents are kept very well informed of their child’s activities, progress and events of the day. Respective parents have access to their children's records. Newsletters, displays and verbal feedback are used to very good effect to share relevant information with parents. They attend open-evenings and fund raising events. Some parents attend bi-annual meetings to discuss service provision. Staff keep

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provision

parents up-to-date with pertinent information, such as their child's current interests and preferred activities so as to encourage them to support their child's learning at home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's admission to the club is effectively tailored to meet their individual needs. Detailed information is obtained from parents about their child and recorded. This enables staff to establish a very sound understanding of children's individual requirements and ensure that these are very well met. Parents receive very good quality information about the service provided and policies and procedures. Copies of which are readily accessible for reference. Procedures in place to support children who speak English as an additional language are good. Staff liaise with other agencies and professionals as necessary to support children with special educational needs and/or a disability most effectively. For example, they attend review meetings to enable them to help promote children's learning and welfare as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Staff support children on a one-to- one basis if required. Activities are adapted and specialist equipment is provided,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

such as fibre-optic lights and large bubble-lamps. Staff manage children's behaviour very well through the calm and consistent use of tactics as appropriate to children’s ability and level of understanding. Children respond positively and are very well behaved. Hygiene standards are very good. Staff present as positive role models. They and use regular routines to encourage and reinforce good hygiene practices. Staff promote the benefits of an active lifestyle. Daily opportunities for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 physical play indoors and outdoors are provided. For example, all children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in a variety of action games. A small group of boys and girls practised dance routines together and took it in turn to use a microphone and compact-disc player to sing to their favourite pop-songs. Children have access to a very good selection of resources and activities to promote their fine and gross

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

motor skills. For instance, they manipulate construction type toys and use mark- making materials with dexterity. Parents are closely consulted about any medical or dietary needs their child may have and pertinent information is recorded. Staff promote healthy eating. Meals and snacks are nutritious. During school holidays parents provided a packed lunch. Drinks are offered to children regularly. A fresh water dispenser is provided for their use. Children learn about healthy food through activities, such as growing cress and helping to make fresh fruit desserts for tea.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff are enthusiastic and very well motivated. They show a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Information about children's individual abilities and needs is obtained through the ongoing observations made and the satisfactory records kept. This information helps staff to determine each child's current stage of development and identify the next step to be taken to help them progress. Very good use of questions and discussion is used to promote and enhance children's learning. Staff listen intently to what children say and show a genuine interest. Children benefit from this positive interaction and they make good progress. They are confident speakers and ask questions and initiate conversation freely. Pre- school children use simple mathematical language confidently during play. For instance, a four-year-old child pointed to the number four on a computer keyboard and stated that was how old he was. Suitable planning systems are in place and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

staff draw upon children's interests and ideas to provide a very good range of learning experiences in accordance to children's abilities. All children are able to take part in activities at their own level and pace. Playrooms are very well laid out and resourced and allow children to self-select resources. This helps nurture children’s independence and self-esteem. There are excellent opportunities for children to learn about diversity and the wider world. For example, festivals from different cultures are celebrated. Discussion, activities and resources to promote all aspects of diversity are used very effectively. The club offers an extremely welcoming, inclusive environment to all children and they show a real sense of belonging. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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