Holy Apostles' After School Club

Holy Apostles' After School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Holy Apostles' After School Club

Unique Reference Number EY291915 Inspection date 09 January 2006 Inspector Miriam Sheila Brown

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Holy Apostles' After School Club

Setting Address The Pavilion, Battledown Approach, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 6QZ Telephone number 01242 526858

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E-mail

Registered person Holy Apostles' Pavilion Groups 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Holy Apostles After School Club opened in 2004. It operates from the pavilion building within the grounds of Holy Apostles School, Cheltenham. A maximum of 16 children may attend at any one time and there are currently 34 children on roll. The club is open each weekday during school term time from 15.15 until 18.00. Children use a playroom, an art and craft area and a quiet room. The club use the school playing fields and the redeveloped garden to the rear of the pavilion, for outside play. There are currently no children attending who have special needs or who speak English as an additional language. The club currently employs two staff, both of

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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 whom hold appropriate level 2 qualifications. One staff member is working towards a level 3 qualification. The club receive support from the Early Years Children's Service.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children take part in regular physical activities both indoors and outside. They have free access to school playing fields where they enjoy playing with footballs and other outdoor equipment. Children also make good use of the garden area to the rear of the pavilion, which is also used by the playgroup, where permanent games such as hopscotch are available to them. They assist the playgroup by helping with digging and planting the new flower beds and generally maintaining the area. This provides after-school children with good opportunities to develop their large muscle control and engage in activities that are different to those experienced during the school day. Inside they enjoy many activities which support their small muscle development, such as, small construction, art and craft work and board games. Staff maintain accident and medication records effectively and have received first aid

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Helping children to be healthy

training, helping to ensure that children are cared for appropriately if they have an accident or become unwell. Basic hygiene procedures are generally well maintained, for example, staff prepare food hygienically and ensure that kitchen and toilet areas are clean and appropriately stocked with soap and paper towels. However, children are not routinely asked or reminded to wash their hands prior to eating, so do not learn the importance of simple hygiene practices. Snack times are pleasant social occasions. Twice a week the whole club sit together and staff chat with the children about their day, discuss ideas for future activities and reinforce particular rules, if necessary. The rest of the week children collect their own plate of snack food from the kitchen and may eat where they like within the club rooms. A variety of foods are offered at snack times providing children with a range of healthy food options. They also enjoy tasting foods from different countries, for

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Helping children to be healthy

example, a variety of Indian foods and pizza. Fresh fruit or raw vegetables are provided each day. Children choose drinks at snack time and help themselves to drinks if thirsty, at other times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are creatively prepared for the after school club, following playgroup use, prior to children's arrival from school. This enables children to settle quickly and easily to their chosen activity. The premises are clean, warm and well maintained. Children have sole use of the pavilion during after school club hours, providing them with dedicated play rooms where they enjoy a well-organised range of activities. Furniture, toys and equipment are in good repair and checked daily when they are

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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 taken to and from storage areas. The club make use of some playgroup resources such as role-play equipment, art and craft materials and books. There are sufficient resources to ensure children are comfortable and can play and eat together, and relax after their day at school. Children can reach their toys and equipment easily and sit or lie comfortably to play and join in activities. Staff plan a variety of activities according to children's suggestions where possible, and also take the lead from children on the day. This helps to ensure that children enjoy a varied range of experiences and take an active role in planning their out-of-school time. Children's safety is generally well maintained and proper precautions are taken to promote children's safety. For example, children are collected from the main school

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

by staff who are alerted before hand if children are not present that day. Children are effectively supervised during club sessions and rules, such as those for restrictions for the outside play space, are regularly reinforced by staff. However, outside play areas are not currently secure and fire drills are not practised regularly enough to ensure children are able to put practices into action in an emergency situation. Security lighting provides children and parents with a clear and safe walkway from the pavilion and alert staff to approaching people. Children's welfare is safeguarded by good staff awareness of child protection procedures. The club policy outlines their approach to any concerns and both members of staff have completed child protection training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a broad range of stimulating activities which assist in their all round development during relaxed, play-based sessions. They enjoy activities which enable them to extend and develop their own ideas, for example, they create their own games using indoor and outdoor resources, and develop art and craft ideas. Staff positively support and encourage children in their play and learning, joining in with board games, assisting with homework and encouraging them to take responsibility for their club. Children enjoy cooking a wide variety of foods including cakes, soup, mince pies and pancakes. They also assist in maintaining the garden area by helping to dig flower beds and plant bulbs and plants. Children of all ages are confident in the setting and in their relationships with each other and staff. They all express their pleasure in attending the club and one said that she liked it because

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

she met different people and could 'hang out' longer with her friends, which she would not be able to do if she went straight home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children and parents are warmly welcomed to the club each afternoon. Staff demonstrate a happy and relaxed relationship with all children, joking with them, whilst offering care and respect for them as individuals.

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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 Children demonstrate their confidence by settling quickly to activities and joining in with group routines such as snack times and storing their coats and bags safely. They are well known by staff who efficiently record individual details to ensure their needs are met effectively. Children increase their awareness of the wider world and different lifestyles through their play, for example, cooking and tasting foods associated with different countries and discussing things they have done in school. Staff demonstrate a good awareness of special needs, enabling them to effectively support children who may attend the group. Children are very well behaved, for example, they share equipment and take turns in their play and activities. They regularly say please and thank-you without prompting,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and listen carefully to staff and unfamiliar adults. Staff ensure they are consistent in their expectations for behaviour and offer frequent, meaningful praise. This positive approach effectively assists children in their growing awareness of the needs of others. The partnership with parents and carers is good. Staff are available each day to discuss children's activities and they provide regular newsletters for parents, providing them with information about specific activities and club organisation.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The after school club have a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to continual development. Staff are appropriately qualified and are further developing their knowledge and understanding through ongoing training and support from the committee and the school. The club has a clear management structure and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Staff organise time and resources well and are particularly skilled at interacting with children, responding effectively and listening to their ideas. The clubs policies are clear and well written, providing staff and parents with good information about all aspects of care. Children's records are efficiently maintained, helping to ensure that individual needs are met. The management committee are aware of areas for development and are currently discussing these with the school. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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

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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 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 good. 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 all children are reminded and encouraged to wash their hands before eating. • ensure that children are aware of the procedures to evacuate the building and are able to put these into practise in the event of an emergency such as a fire. • consider ways to secure outside play areas to ensure that children are kept safe.

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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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