St. Joseph's Out of School Committee

St Joseph's Before and After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY239518 Inspection date 02/12/2009 Inspector Tara Street

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Setting address St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Moreton Road, Upton, Wirral, CH49 6LL Telephone number 0151 677 3970 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

St Joseph's Before and After School Club is managed by a voluntary management committee, made up of parents of children at the club and members of the local community. It opened in 2002 and operates from the hall and playgroup room within St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Upton, Wirral. There are no issues which may hinder access to the premises. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. A maximum of 40 children aged under eight years may attend the setting at any one time. The club currently takes children from four years of age and also offers care to children aged eight years to 11 years. The club is open Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 8.50am and from 3.30pm to 6pm term time only.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 66 children on roll. Of these, 22 are under eight years, and of these, nine are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the setting

There are four members of staff, including the manager, who work directly with the children. Three of the staff hold appropriate early years and/or playwork qualifications. The club is a member of the 4Children Network and receives support from the local authority.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The club meets the needs of children well. Practice is firmly based on tailoring provision to children’s individual needs and on good systems to inform and consult with their parents. Care is taken to ensure children’s safety and they thoroughly enjoy their time at the club. There is strong commitment to improve as staff reflect on their practice well and have a clear understanding of areas to develop. The club is well placed to maintain continuous improvement in the future.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure parental signatures are consistently gained on accident records to show that parents have been informed of any accidents or treatment given  develop further the records of observation and assessments to make it clearer how children are progressing towards the early learning goals and ensure the next steps in a child’s developmental progress are consistently identified  ensure opportunities for children to develop their self-reliance and independence skills are consistently provided. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Staff have a good understanding of how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow with concerns. They carry out annual and daily risk assessments to ensure that children play and learn in a safe environment, both inside and out. Most records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are very well maintained. However, parental signatures are not consistently obtained on children’s accident records, to show that parents have been informed. Clear staff recruitment procedures check staff suitability to work with children. The secure systems in place have a strong impact on children’s happiness and learning. The club is well organised and functions smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Resources, including staff and the available accommodation, are deployed well to help maximise children’s development and happiness. Good procedures are in place to promote equality and celebrate diversity. Inclusive

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the early years provision

practice helps to ensure that all children feel welcome and valued.

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the early years provision

The ambition to improve the provision and outcomes for children is embedded well with all staff. The club has good arrangements to obtain parents’ view and to keep them well informed about what is happening. Responses from parents show they are very happy with what is provided for their children, and parents are clearly comfortable about chatting to staff at the end of the day. The views of children are also sought on a continual basis, both formally and informally. This information feeds effectively into modifying the provision and systems, and supports the club’s good self-evaluation procedures. There are good links with the school, particularly with the Reception classes, so that the activities in the club can complement children’s learning in the school. The recommendations made at the last inspection have been fully implemented and demonstrate the club’s commitment to improving its service to all children.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and development and feel safe and relaxed in the club. They are developing their skills for the future well. Positive relationships with staff make a major contribution to children’s happiness and enjoyment. Adults are quick to spot any children who are concerned or upset, dealing with them sympathetically and effectively. Relationships between children are good and they play together cheerfully, sharing ideas and equipment sensibly. The positive contribution of older children also helps those in the Early Years Foundation Stage to make progress. The older children often help younger ones, join in their games, and are very caring towards them. This secure environment helps children to make a strong contribution to the community through expressing their views in the confidence that they will be respected. They make a good contribution, along with older children, to fundraising for those less fortunate than

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and outcomes for children

themselves, for example, through their jump rope event for the British Heart Foundation. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Staff prepare an interesting range of activities for children, in which they become completely absorbed. There is a good balance between lively play outside with small sports equipment and inside activities, such as creative art, snooker and quieter, more reflective activities. Regular observations of children’s play are carried out, which are used in turn to plan further activities matched to children’s needs and interests. However, assessment records do not clearly show how children are progressing towards the early learning goals or consistently identify their next steps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

The club places a good emphasis on healthy lifestyles. Children practise good procedures for their own personal hygiene, and learn to make healthy choices in what they eat through discussion and good examples set by adults. They are developing their independence through tasks such as choosing toys and equipment for themselves. However, a range of opportunities for children to develop their self-reliance and independence skills during snack routines is not consistently provided. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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