Our Ladies Breakfast and After School ClubOfsted inspection, 28 Nov 2005

School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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School Club

Unique Reference Number EY301807 Inspection date 28 November 2005 Inspector Lesley Sharples

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School Club

Setting Address Our Lady of the Assumption RC Primary School, Common Edge Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 5DF Telephone number 01253 762833 E-mail admin@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk Registered person Our Lady of the Assumption Management Committee Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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School Club

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?

Our Lady of the Assumption Out of School Club has been registered since April 2005. It is situated in a separate building within the grounds of Our Lady of the Assumption Primary School in the south shore area of Blackpool. Registration is for a total of 30 children age 4-8 years. Children over 8 years also attend the provision. There are currently 49 children on roll who come for a variety of sessions throughout the week. The setting offers before and after school care as well as holiday play schemes. Times available are from 07.45 - 08.45 for the breakfast club and 15.30 - 17.30 for after school care and school holidays during Easter,

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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 summer and February and October half terms. Facilities for children comprise of a play room, games room, the school hall and computer suite. There is also a kitchen, staff room, children's and staff toilet facilities and outdoor play area with both hard and grassed areas with an enclosed garden. There is a staff team of four of whom one is qualified to Level 3 in child care, one who is trained to Level 2 in Playwork and two who are unqualified. Advice, training and support is gained from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health within the setting is very well supported by staff who have a secure knowledge of the club's health and hygiene procedures. They are appropriately cared for if ill or have an accident as all staff have current first aid training. Children are independent in their self care skills and good provision is made to achieve this alongside regularly washing hands after playing outdoors, before eating and after craft activities. Staff are sensitive to the needs of individual children and ensure privacy when required so that children are well looked after. Staff give good consideration to the provision of many experiences for outdoor play such as cricket, football and parachute games and in fine weather they have plenty of opportunities to use the garden area and have picnics. Children thoroughly enjoy vigorous play and benefit from regular fresh air and exercise. Children understand the importance of eating healthy foods as they are offered fresh

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Helping children to be healthy

fruit on a daily basis together with a menu that is changed according to the season. For example in cold weather they are offered hot snacks such as croissants for breakfast and sausage rolls after school. However, they are unable to independently access drinking water, although they do have drinks at snack time with their food. Children's individual dietary needs are catered for as staff are made aware of any allergies and there are two staff who have gained the food hygiene certificate. This helps keep children healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are looked after in a secure and generally safe environment. They are eager to enter the setting and settle very well within a warm, bright and welcoming provision in which they are confident and happy. Staff identify potential hazards and take responsible action through regular risk assessments with just one omission relating to plugs. There are effective procedures in place if a child was to go missing or not be collected, which ensures action taken is prompt and appropriate. The setting has it's own entrance which is secured and monitored when children are collected. Children are made fully aware of the emergency evacuation procedures as there are regular practises, especially at the start of a term, so that they understand the requirements

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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 for keeping safe. Staff keep detailed records and use comments to evaluate the efficiency of the procedures. Wonderful resources are made available to children at low level, encouraging choice and independence in their activities so that they are well stimulated and their time is spent enjoyably. Furniture and equipment is clean and maintained well so children's safety is not compromised and organised well, for example, the extensive range of costumes in imaginative play are all hung up on a rail so that children can easily see and choose what they want to wear as well as accessories in boxes to compliment the outfits. These are thoroughly enjoyed by the children. Children's safety and welfare are assured as staff have a secure understanding of the requirements relating to child protection issues. They each have a copy of the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

setting's policy. There are clear procedures to follow and knowledge has been gained by all staff from training undertaken in the past year so that there is awareness of indicators which may cause concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children spend their time enjoyably and are extremely enthusiastic in choosing from a extensive range of very well planned and prepared activities. Staff source and consider creative ideas so that children are offered and supported in their play and extending their learning. Children take an active part in art and craft activities, which are very well resourced with excellent choices of media. These are seasonal and centre on monthly themes and work is attractively displayed so their environment is visually stimulating. For example, they have decorated the Christmas tree and are doing seasonal craft work. Activities interest children fully and all are happily engaged in what they choose to do, whether they want to be quiet or be more active. Homework is catered for and help given for reading if children wish to do this, so that they spend their time purposefully and benefit from support offered by staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered a very good variety of play and learning opportunities which includes cooking. They have produced a cookery book in which all the recipes have been tried and tested by the children. This gives a sense of achievement and satisfaction as monies raised go towards their club. Long term planning is in place which shows commitment by staff in ensuring children are well catered for in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy mutually respectful relationships with the staff and each other. They are very well behaved and develop good self-esteem because they are acknowledged and listened to by staff. They are confident in choosing how they spend their time and play together harmoniously, sharing and taking turns for, example, when playing table snooker and using the road mat with vehicles. Children

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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 are well behaved as they are given plenty of positive praise and encouragement by staff who recognise achievements. This is reinforced by the use of rewards such as stickers and certificates so that children receive encouragement and acknowledgement. The behaviour policy contains appropriate strategies and clear procedures relating to incident recording, all shared with the staff team, and training is attended to update knowledge and skills. Resources and activities help children learn about diversity, for example, they create flags from around the world and they learn about their own and other cultures from books and imaginative play items. Staff are adept in consulting with parents about any additional needs of children and are kept well informed about aspects of club life.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A parent pack gives information about the running of the club and the notice board displays ongoing information. There is inclusion in the school newsletter so that close liaison exists with all parents and carers.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The registered provider uses robust recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. There is an induction programme so that staff are aware of policies and procedures such as partaking in fire drills. All staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities and work very well as a team with clear leadership from the supervisor. Children relate very well with staff but there is no key worker system in place as required. Conditions of registration are understood in relation to staff to children ratios and qualifications and training needs are identified and catered for, such as, behaviour management and updating first aid. Records are seen to be effectively recorded and maintained which means that procedures are followed as required. The organisation of space creates and allows for different play environments so that children are able to move around freely and confidently. Two rooms accommodate

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Organisation

various activities so there are opportunities for both quiet and more vigorous play. Staff are deployed well both indoors and outside, consequently children are happy and settled in their activities. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been one complaint made to Ofsted since registration. Ofsted received concerns relating to National Standard 6 - Safety and National Standard 11 - Behaviour. A childcare inspector visited the provision on 8 November

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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 2005. Actions were raised and satisfactorily met by the registered provider. The provider remains qualified for registration. 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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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): • implement a key worker system • improve safety by the provision of covers for all electrical sockets • provide drinking water so that children can access this at any time in all sessions.

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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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