The Play Professionals at St Mary's

St. Marys Trojans Scheme

Inspection report for early years provision

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St. Marys Trojans Scheme

Unique Reference Number EY280948 Inspection date 06 June 2006 Inspector Pamela Bailey

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St. Marys Trojans Scheme

Setting Address St. Marys RC Primary School, Crescent Lane, London, SW4 9QJ

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E-mail

Registered person The Trojans Scheme 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

St Marys Trojans Scheme is one of a chain of out of school provisions run by Kids City. It opened in 2004 and operates from a hall located in St. Marys Roman Catholic Primary School. It is situated in Clapham, London Borough of Lambeth. A maximum of 26 children may attend at any one time. The after school club opens each week day from 15:00 to 18:00 during school term times only. There are currently 24 children aged three years to under eight years on roll. The after school club employs four staff, of whom three, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications and one staff is working towards a qualification.

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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 good. Children enjoy a good range of energetic physical activities that contributes to a healthy life style. For example, indoor and outdoor activities provide good opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. They engage in organised group games in the outdoor area such as skipping and ball games. Ride scooters and use the fixed climbing structures. They also have the opportunity to take part in indoor activities such as Taekwon-do. Children understand the importance of taking regular drinks as a way to maintain their health and think about their personal needs. They bring in their own bottled water or help themselves from the water fountains. They gain more understanding of the value of good nutrition as they contribute to the menu and select from nourishing snacks such as tuna or chicken wraps with mixed salad and fresh fruit. Children are independent in self-care skills. They know that washing their hands after

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Helping children to be healthy

visiting the toilet and before eating helps prevent the spread of germs. Children's health is supported very well by staff who have secure knowledge of the club's health and hygiene procedures and ensure that these are implemented effectively. Staff gather all relevant information regarding children's health and ensure that records are appropriately maintained. There are sufficient staff that hold a current first aid certificate and staff have had training to administer medicines such as epi-pens. This ensures they can give appropriate care if there is an accident and children receive the correct dose of medicine in an appropriate manner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. There is a designated hall for the children and children have sole use of the playground facilities during operational hours. They also have access to a computer suite, school library and the design and technology room. Children choose from a good range of safe and well maintained play equipment and resources which is safely organised and easily accessible. They enjoy playing in a secure outdoor area which is checked by staff before being used. Children's safety is promoted well by comprehensive corporate policies and procedures which are understood and implemented well by all staff members. Regular risk assessments and daily health and safety checks both inside and outside enables staff to identify and quickly address any potential hazards and risks to children. Staff are vigilant about fire safety and give high priority to helping children understand

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

how to keep themselves safe. Good routines help children learn about safety inside

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and outside the setting. For example, children and staff practice emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted well. Staff have very secure knowledge and understanding of the child protection policy and understand the procedures to be followed if they have a concern. There are good systems in place for the safe arrival and departure of children and preventing unwanted visitors gaining access. Effective systems for maintaining records and staff's good understanding of the procedures for uncollected children and the procedures to be followed in the event of a child becoming lost ensures children's safety and supports their welfare. However, staff have not yet devised a written lost child policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are enthusiastic and self assured in the club's welcoming environment. They enjoy this time at the end of the school day when they can relax or be active in accordance with their needs and interests. There is a good range of resources and activity groups which are used well to interest children and develop their learning. All children take an active part in activities such as art and craft, reading, computers and physical activities. They are well supported by staff who are skilled at encouraging children to extend their experiences and at listening and talking to them. Conversations between staff and children and displays of previous activities, effectively encourage children to discuss past and present events in their lives. Children learn about themselves and the world around them through planned activities and resources. Children express themselves creatively through a range of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

mediums. They paint, draw, make and design various objects such as African bracelets from papier mache, Indian snakes and picture frames from various felts and pasta shells. Staff and children regularly evaluate the activities to ensure children are interested, activities offer suitable challenge and promote their well-being and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children display a sense of belonging. Children know each other and the staff team well as the setting is specifically for St. Mary Roman Catholic Primary School, which they attend during school hours. Children confidently communicate with each other and the staff team. They are able to engage in activities of their choice which they undertake with enthusiasm. Some of the activities are appropriate for all age groups and children respond well to mixed aged group activities. Children are developing a positive attitude to others and gaining an understanding of the wider world and community through planned activities. They have access to a good range of resources which reflects positive images of culture, gender and disability. This encourages children to develop a positive attitude towards diversity.

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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 The after school club has effective arrangements to care for children with special needs such as liaising with parents and the school and ensuring that staff are aware of individual children's needs. Children are very well behaved, they respond positively to the clear behaviour expectations set by the staff team. Children are able to take turns, work in groups and independently. They enjoy both a wide range of adult led activities and child initiated games and activities. They are able to follow rules of familiar games well and play co-operatively. Children benefit from a two way sharing of information between parents and staff to ensure their care and health needs are met. Parents receive information about the setting and activities. There are satisfactory procedures in place for recording

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Helping children make a positive contribution

complaints from parents. However, parents are not provided with sufficient information about the complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well organised environment that allows them to play indoors or outdoors during the session. There are satisfactory contingency arrangements and sufficient staff in place to cover absences and ensure that children always have appropriate supervision. Effective recruitment procedures ensures that staff are appropriately vetted and qualified. Induction training ensures staff understand the policies and procedures and work together well to promote children's health, enjoyment and achievement. Staff are actively encouraged to undertake ongoing training, some staff are currently working towards a recognised childcare qualification and many have attended training on child protection, behaviour management and first aid. Most documentation required for the safe and effective management of the after school club is accurately maintained and contributes to the safety and welfare of the

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Organisation

children. Although staff know what to do in the event of a child being lost and are aware of the procedures for recording complaints from parents, they have overlooked the requirement to develop agreed written procedures. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and ensure all staff, including tutors if left alone with children, complete DC2 forms and submit to Ofsted together with evidence of completed enhanced CRB checks. The after school club has made significant improvements which promotes children's health and safeguard their welfare. Staff request prior written consent from parents to seek emergency treatment or advice. The manager liaises with Kids City head office

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Improvements 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 to ensure that she has the relevant information regarding all staff and volunteers working with the children. This is to ensure that those who have been appropriately vetted are effectively deployed and those who are still in the process of being vetted are never left alone with the children. This ensures that all staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in the setting and children are well protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets 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 further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • devise a statement of the procedure to be followed in the event of a child being lost • make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint

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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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