St John's After School Club

Brinscall St. Johns After School CLub

Inspection report for early years provision

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Brinscall St. Johns After School CLub

Unique Reference Number 309780 Inspection date 09 May 2006 Inspector Mary Wignall

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Brinscall St. Johns After School CLub

Setting Address St. Johns C of E and Methodist Primary School, Harbour Lane, Brinscall, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 8PT Telephone number 01254 830 700

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E-mail

Registered person Brinscall St. Johns 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 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?

Brinscall St Johns After School Club Committee has been in operation since 1999 and is registered to provide a service for 24 children aged from 4 to 8 years of age. Older children up to age 11 years may also be present. Children may attend the breakfast sessions between 08:45 and 09:00 and in the afternoon between 15:20 and 17:30 each weekday during term time. Breakfast is offered at the Club's morning session and a snack is provided during the late afternoon period. There are currently 41 children on roll. No children attend who have English as an additional language and there are no children with special needs presently enrolled.

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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 Children registered with the Club have access to the: school hall; the information technology suite; year 4 and 5 classrooms; and the schoolyard for physical play. The provision is part of a local primary school in a rural area of Brinscall on the outskirts of Chorley. The staff team consists of 6 members, 2 of whom hold a relevant level 3 qualification. All staff have first aid certificates. The club receives support through the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and is a member of Kids' Clubs Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The practitioners implement sound policies and procedures to promote children’s health and prevent cross infection. They have established routines that result in the children being familiar with the need to wash their hands as they return from playing outdoors. The children eagerly wait their turn to wash their hands before sitting, chatting with friends, waiting for their snacks. Children’s health needs are known and met as the practitioners work with parents to meet their needs. Written agreements and records are shared with parents to protect the children's health. Children are well nourished as the practitioners prepare healthy snacks which the children help to serve. The children are familiar with a range of fruits with some children asking when they can have their favourite, pineapple, again. Children enjoy outdoor activities with varied and challenging equipment through

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Helping children to be healthy

which they learn about their bodies and cooperation with others. The practitioners have thought well about safety with children playing with soft balls so the space can be enjoyed safely by all. This means children play alongside each other at different activities such as, bat and ball, bouncy hoppers, skipping or enjoying the fresh air whilst reading a book. The outdoor space is managed well with the practitioners letting the children sort out their own disputes whenever possible and offering attention and comfort when minor bumps and falls occur. This encourages the children's independence and self confidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The practitioners have worked well to make the club comfortable and welcoming for the children to rest and play after school. Blankets and cloths are used for children to sit and play comfortably in the outdoor play areas. Children’s access to resources is managed by the practitioners setting out some toys and equipment for the children to choose from for themselves. The practitioners check with each other to ensure a variety of toys and equipment is set out across the week for all children to access a full range of equipment. Children play safely outdoors as the practitioners perform safety checks prior to the

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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 areas being used by the children. All of the practitioners are vigilant ensuring all area used are well supervised. Children are talked to about safety issues as the practitioners remind them to not to hit stones in the air as someone may get hurt. The children respond well, understanding the need for safety as they move on to new activities. Documentation is in place to ensure the children’s welfare is safeguarded such as: insurance; risk assessments; and fire safety procedures. Children are protected by the practitioners' understanding and training in child protection, although the policy is in need of review to ensure greater protection of the children and information to parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good relationships with the staff. They encourage the children’s confidence as they chat and listen to the children’s news. Activities are planned following discussions with the children and, where possible, are set out with the children’s help and cooperation. The practitioners support the children's involvement as they encourage them to make choices and support them in their activities, such as playing bat and ball, joining in with the skipping or helping the younger children swing the big rope for other children to jump into. The children choose from a variety of well planned activities to make the most of the good weather and to respond to the children’s enjoyment at playing outdoors. Blankets and toys are brought out for the children who want to enjoy the sunshine reading or playing with Lego or dolls and figures in the shade as others play more energetically. The children are given

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

responsibilities during snack time, either helping to serve the food or tidying the chairs away afterwards. The children enjoy the responsibility and develop a good sense of belonging and self esteem as they perform their tasks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Partnership with parents is valued. Parents arrive to collect their children from the club and confidently enter and chat with the practitioners. They are comfortable and relaxed, talking to staff about their children’s activities and time in the club. Children’s needs are known to the practitioners through sound systems and policies to develop partnership with parents. Children behave well. They are interested in the activities provided and learn from the practitioners' examples of good behaviour in talking politely to others or behaving appropriately. The practitioners offer encouragement to the children explaining why some behaviour is unwanted and support them in alternative activities. Resources and activities are used to promote a positive view of the wider world. This increases the children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. The children are confident and comfortable in the provision. This means they are confident to select their own games and activities and move freely around the premises. They chat freely with the practitioners. Space is use well to offer the children different environment in which to play and eat or to make the most of the good weather. Recruitment systems ensure practitioners have appropriate criminal checks and appropriate records are maintained and induction procedures are implemented for new staff. Documentation about the setting's policies or the children needs are stored and retained appropriately and used by the practitioners to ensure appropriate care is provided for the children. This helps the practitioners work as a team with a good

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Organisation

understanding of the provision's policies and procedures. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a number of recommendations were agreed relating to staffing requirements and to developing or reviewing documentation regarding: a child not being collected; parental permission for emergency medical treatment or advice; the behaviour policy; and the child protection statement.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the setting has improved the promotion of the children’s health and safety. They have developed clear procedures in the event of a child not being collected although this does not provide clearly defined procedures to be followed. The child protection statement includes procedures to be followed in the event of allegations being made against a staff member or volunteer parents, although it does not have clear procedures to be followed in such events nor relevant contact names. Written parental permission for the seeking of any necessary emergency treatment or advice is now obtained although the wording is not in keeping with the National Standards. The setting has also improved the setting’s organisation and behaviour policy. Minimum staffing ratios are consistently maintained and the behaviour policy includes bullying and gives clear information to children and parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of these actions the care provided is more in keeping with the National Standards and offers greater protection for the health and safety of the children cared for.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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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Complaints 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

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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): • ensure the written statement on child protection has contact names for the local police and social services and clear procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against staff • provide an action plan, or provide evidence, to show how at least half of all staff either hold, or will hold, a level 2 qualification.

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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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