Smallwood After School Centre and Holiday Playcentre

Smallwood After School and Playcentre

Inspection report for early years provision

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Smallwood After School and Playcentre

Unique Reference Number EY306311 Inspection date 12 December 2005 Inspector Patricia Ann Edward

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Smallwood After School and Playcentre

Setting Address Smallwood Primary School, Smallwood Road, London, SW17 0TW Telephone number temporary 0208 672 6329 or 0208 871 7117

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E-mail

Registered person Wandsworth Borough Council 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?

Smallwood After School and Playcentre is run by Wandsworth Leisure and Amenities. It opened in 2005 and operates from three classrooms on the third floor, with access to the hall on the second floor, of Smallwood Primary School. It is situated in the Tooting area located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. The group also provides after school care for children attending Broadwater Primary School also situated in the Tooting area. All children have access to a secure enclosed outdoor playground area. A maximum of 40 children may attend the after school provision at any one time.

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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 A maximum of 84 children may attend the playscheme at any one time. The after school opens each weekday from 14.45 to 17.30 during term times. There are currently 17 children aged from 4 to under 8 years on roll. The playscheme opens each weekday from 08.00 to 17.30 during summer, Easter and half term holiday periods. Four full-time staff work with the children. Some staff have early years qualifications ranging from BA in Education and Childhood studies to National Vocational Qualification Level 2 to 3. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning about healthy eating and benefit from a range of varied, nutritious, hot and cold snacks. Fresh fruit is always available for children at snack time. There are appropriate systems in place to ensure staff are aware of children's individual dietary needs, however, children do not have easy access to drinking water. Children's health within the setting is appropriately supported by staff who have sufficient knowledge of health and hygiene practices, which are encouraged with children. For instance, children know they must wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children are safeguarded by the staff's knowledge and understanding of first aid and health issues. There are appropriate records kept on children's health needs. Children lack opportunities during the winter months to engage in a range of physical activities that contribute to their understanding of a healthy life style.

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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 clean and satisfactorily maintained environment. They have access to a limited and basic range of age appropriate resources, which are not organised effectively to encourage independence and ease of access. Children are protected from the risk of accidental injury because staff complete risk assessments. However, children's welfare is not adequately protected because of the current procedure for children leaving the premises unsupervised. The procedure does not ensure appropriate safety measures are applied to avoid dangerous situations. The procedures for girls accessing the toilets is also unsafe because they are not adequately supervised. There is broken light in the boys' toilet leaving 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 area dark on winter nights. There are various other safety and security precautions in place, such as a visitors book. Children are sufficiently protected by staff who have a sufficient understanding of child protection and there is appropriate child protection documentation available to support their practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and settled within the setting. They are friendly and show care and concern for others. They speak confidently to share experiences and listen intently to conversations discussed. Children have opportunities to engage in a limited variety of activities which support and encourage their learning. Their independence and confidence are not well supported because children lack opportunities to self select what they want to play with. Children relate well to the staff because they join in with their play and encourage them to try all activities on offer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and their individual needs are met because the staff spends time getting to know them well. They have a good level of self-esteem and confidence. Staff are consistent in their support and give meaningful praise, which encourages children to develop confidence. Children's behaviour throughout the inspection was good and staff were consistent in challenging the children's behaviour if they were playing with equipment inappropriately. Currently there are no children with special needs in attendance, however, staff verbally demonstrated a sufficient understanding of caring for children with special needs. Children have access to a very basic range of resources that promote a positive view of the wider community. Children's understanding of the wider community is developed throughout the year by celebrating a range of cultural and religious festivals such as Black History month. Adequate information is given to parents about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the provision through the use of newsletters and a notice board with relevant information displayed. However, parents do not access the premises to obtain general information about the provision and their child's developments.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are comfortable and confident within the provision. Staff, however, lack

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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 sufficient knowledge of organising activities and procedures sufficiently to promote children's health and safety. For example, the setting has no effective systems in place for children leaving the premises, girls accessing the bathroom and children accessing a range of stimulating activities and physical indoor activities during winter months. Children's health in regards to food handling is not adhered to because no staff responsible for preparing hot and cold snacks for tea on rota a basis have completed food hygiene training. The provision keeps a range of the required documentation to promote the welfare of children, however, it is not always available for inspection. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the setting's first inspection since registration in 2005

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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): • increase children's opportunities to access drinking water throughout the session. • ensure the boys' toilet area has sufficient lighting and the arrangements for girls' access to the bathroom are revised to ensure they are adequately supervised. Revise the procedure for children leaving the premises to ensure their welfare is paramount at all times.

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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 • increase indoor and outdoor activities and equality resources to ensure they meet the interests, ages and abilities of children in attendance. • ensure children's and staff's times of arrival and departure are recorded effectively, all staff responsible for food preparation and handling receive appropriate training and all documentation is available at inspection.

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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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