St Mary's Before and After School Club and Holiday Playscheme

St Mary's Out of School Care

Inspection report for early years provision

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St Mary's Out of School Care

Unique Reference Number 509430 Inspection date 18 August 2005 Inspector Rebecca Trow

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St Mary's Out of School Care

Setting Address St Mary's Church Hall, Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6ND Telephone number 0121 414 0898

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E-mail

Registered person Gerald Fage 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?

St. Mary's Out of School Club opened in 1997. It operates from two rooms within a church community building. A maximum of 40 children may attend at any one time. The setting is open from 07:15 to 09:00 and 15:15 to 18:15 during term time and 07:15 to 18:15 during school holidays. There are currently 56 children from 4 to under 8 years on roll. The setting offers places to children attending St. Mary's Primary School. The setting employs 5 staff, 2 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications, with 3 staff working towards a qualification.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are adequately protected from the spread of infection as they understand simple good hygiene such as washing their hands before they eat. Staff keep records of children's allergies and the procedure to follow in the event of an allergic reaction as well as procedures for accident recording, including sharing the information with parents. This means that children's good health is promoted. Parents provide some meals and the staff collect lunches from the local fish and chip shop twice a week, with parental consent. Staff provide snacks such as biscuits. As a result children do not routinely learn about healthy living. Children have constant access to drinking water from the water fountain which means they are well hydrated. Children are aware of their own physical needs and have the opportunity to play in a quieter room if they wish. They enjoy a varied range of physical activities, both

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Helping children to be healthy

indoors and outside, such as team games and dancing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment which is organised to enable children to move around easily and safely. In order to ensure children's safety, staff make daily assessments of potential hazards as well as undertaking a full risk assessment twice a year. Children have access to a good range of toys and equipment which is stored at their level, enabling them to self select. Children learn to keep themselves safe both inside and whilst out of the setting. For example, staff talk to them about road safety and implement clear procedures whilst on outings. Staff use their cars to transport children during term time though parents do not give written consent. Children's welfare is safeguarded because staff have a good understanding of child protection procedures. They know what to do if they are concerned about a child and all incidents are recorded in detail.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a good range of activities and games which they find interesting and enjoyable. They make choices about what to play with throughout the session which means they are well occupied. Staff encourage children to contribute to the planning process, which they do by writing activities they would like to see on a piece of paper on the wall. Staff have a good understanding of children's needs and plan activities accordingly. For example, the children sometimes like to play one game outside such as rounders, so staff rearrange the planned activities to facilitate that. Children are confident and develop good relationships with staff and peers. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 play well together and are able to share toys and equipment and take turns with the popular activities such as the pool table. Staff encourage children's self-esteem and confidence by ensuring they are included and given the opportunity to participate in all the activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff and parents work closely together, sharing detailed information with each other. Staff provide parents with clear written information about all aspects of care at the setting. This means that staff are able to meet all children's individual needs appropriately. Children feel a sense of belonging as they have a key worker allocated during school holidays. The manager takes time to match staff and children who relate well to each other, which helps children settle. Children understand that they are part of a group and the need for responsible behaviour. They work with the staff at the start of the play scheme to develop ground rules. Staff have a calm and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour which, coupled with the ground rules, means that children know what is expected of them. Children learn about the wider world through the celebration of various festivals. For example, Chinese New Year when staff and parents talked to the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children about the festival and what it means.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home in the environment and are well supervised because staff are deployed effectively. Staff move around the setting and ensure that children are safe and occupied, making time for one to one interaction whenever possible. Children are grouped appropriately and linked to a key worker during school holidays. The setting has written procedures for staff and volunteers to ensure children benefit from consistent care. Staff are committed to developing and improving the service they offer to children and expect all staff to hold a recognised early years qualification by the end of 2005. Staff maintain required documentation which is reviewed and updated on a regular basis. All paperwork is stored securely in order to maintain confidentiality. Overall the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the setting agreed to develop and implement an action plan detailing how at least half of all childcare staff will hold a level 2 qualification in childcare and complete all documentation, including a statement of the procedure to be followed if a child is not collected or is lost and a statement of the procedure to be followed in the event of allegations of abuse or neglect. Two staff now hold early years qualifications and three staff are working towards a qualification. They expect

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Improvements 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 to complete them by the end of 2005. The setting now has clear procedures to be followed if a child is lost or not collected. The child protection procedure now has detailed guidelines for staff regarding conduct. The procedure to follow in the event of an allegation against staff is also available. They also agreed to implement a key worker system, include the name, address and telephone number of the regulator in the complaints procedure, increase the range of resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability, maintain a staff register and revise the written policy regarding children with special needs. The setting now has a key worker system whilst offering full day care, the complaints procedure includes Ofsted contact details and the range of resources that reflect

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Improvements since the last inspection

positive images is now increased to include dressing up clothes and home corner equipment as well as books. Staff times of attendance are recorded on a daily basis and the policy for special needs is clear and detailed.

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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): • obtain written parental consent to transport children in a car • ensure children develop an understanding of healthy eating.

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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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