Gaddesby Primary School

Acorn After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 119924 Inspection date 23/06/2010 Inspector John Anthony

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Setting address The Ridings, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, TW16 6NX

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Telephone number 01932-780005 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 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as

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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: 0300 123 1231 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

Acorns After School Club has been registered since 1999. It is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The club operates from premises within the grounds of St. Paul's College in Sunbury on Thames, Surrey. The setting is managed by a voluntary management committee made up of governors of St Paul's Catholic College. The committee also manages a day nursery on the same site. The club is registered to care for 32 children from four to under eight years, the club also caters for children aged eight to 11 years. There are currently 16 children under eight on roll. The premises used by the setting comprises of one main room, two side rooms, a kitchen, staff toilet, and separate girls and boys toilets and showers in the changing rooms. There is an enclosed outdoor play space for outdoor play. The club operates after school sessions from 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday, during

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Description of the setting

term times. There is provision to collect children from St. Ignatius school which is situated next door to St Paul's College. Three members of staff work with the children, all have child care qualifications, one at level 4 and two at level 3.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This is a satisfactory after school club, having recently moved to a spacious and pleasant sports pavilion which provides a safe and secure environment in which the children are well looked after. The staff enjoy friendly relationships with the children and ensure that they are provided with a satisfactory range of physical and social activity. The club does not have a systematic approach to delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The club recruits only pupils from the adjoining primary school, but welcomes children of all backgrounds and abilities. The manager is well aware of the need to improve the club through its provision, record keeping, links to the adjoining primary school as a source and recipient of valuable information. Measures have already been put in place to start these processes, and so the after school club demonstrates a satisfactory capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 introduce a formalised approach to plan for and deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage for children in that age group, particularly in relation to literacy and numeracy  develop a systematic approach to recording children's progress in each of the six areas of learning and development  liaise with the feeder primary school, note the current targets and levels of children attending the club, and keep up-to-date with their progress at school communicate regularly with parents to inform them of what the club is doing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to help their children learn, and how their children are progressing  continue to develop resources that will help the children learn more about diversity and the broader cultures in which they live.

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the early years provision

The club offers a secure and well-resourced facility which provides a good inclusive environment that caters well for the children's emotional and social needs. Safeguarding arrangements are fully in place, all members of staff have appropriate and enhanced checks to ensure their suitability for working with children. The system for registering the children on arrival is thorough and children are carefully checked out when collected by their parents or other nominated adult. The register accurately reflects the children's daily hours of attendance.

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the early years provision

Many of the recommendations in the previous report have been resolved through moving to more suitable premises. There is less evidence that the children understand how diversity in society impacts on their lives, and how they can contribute towards a more equal society.

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the early years provision

Relationships between the staff and children are friendly and relaxed. Parents are made very welcome, and are closely involved with the arrangements for looking after their children. They say that they are pleased with the service offered.

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the early years provision

Shortcomings exist in the opportunities which the club is required to offer to children at the Early Years Foundation Stage. Although many of the principles explicit in the framework are in place to help the children's social and emotional development as well as their good health and enjoyment, they are not given sufficient support to aid their academic development, particularly in literacy and numeracy. There is no formal process of evaluation, and useful links with the feeder primary school have not been achieved. Thus, the club is not kept up-to- date with matters affecting the children's welfare and development, other than directly from parents.

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the early years provision

The club's spacious and secluded outdoor play area play area is very well protected and offers a delightful and very safe environment for healthy play. Children are provided with a satisfactory variety of activities which are suited to their various stages of development, and they say that they enjoy attending the club.

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the early years provision

Self-evaluation is informal, but managers do have an accurate understanding of the club's strengths and what it needs to do to improve. Records are not yet kept of what the children learn and how they are progressing, with targets and levels ascertained from the feeder primary school. Information is not shared in a constructive way with the school, and parents not kept sufficiently informed of what the club is doing to help their children progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

There are currently two children in the early years age range. While they are keen to learn and engage well with other children in the satisfactory general range of physical and social activities, the club has not as yet embraced the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements to fully aid their personal development. Full advantage of the opportunities to learn cannot be taken to develop further the wide range of skills and learning that the early years framework offers. The club does not, for example, have a system for supporting the children's development in writing and numeracy skills. It does not take advantage of the close proximity of the feeder school to liaise in identifying measures that could usefully be taken to broaden the range of activities that would help the children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

The older children show a good sense of responsibility towards the younger children, including them in their games and looking after them. The children's good relationships, maturity, friendliness and responsible attitudes to each other and to the staff demonstrate a good grounding in attributes which will foster well their future personal development, leaving them well prepared for making a positive contribution to the local community.

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and outcomes for children

The children enjoy being at the setting. As one parent said 'I am very pleased with the care that they provide for my child. It is very safe, and my child is very happy there'.

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and outcomes for children

The children are free to select from a variety of activities that match their own interests, and they are encouraged to use their own initiative whilst playing and taking part in games. The children's' relationships with each other are very good, and they play well together. The children communicate confidently, are polite and interested to talk to visitors, and readily answer questions. The secluded and grassy outdoor area is safe and secure and the children co-operate well in playing team games, or can select individual activities if they wish. The premises provide a suitable base for the healthy range of games and activities that are provided. This includes football, cricket, tennis, and safety bows and arrows, sensibly used under the immediate supervision of staff.

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and outcomes for children

Opportunities for finding out about the broader cultural society in which children live, such as through celebrating the various cultural and religious festivals to be found in our present society, are limited. 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 3 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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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