George Fentham Before & After School Club

Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Club

Unique Reference Number 261012 Inspection date 16 March 2006 Inspector Janet Ann Keeling

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Club

Setting Address George Fentham Endowed School, Fentham Road, Hampton in Arden, Solihull, West Midlands, B92 0AY Telephone number 01675 442800

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E-mail

Registered person George Fentham Voluntary Management Committee Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Full day 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?

George Fentham before and after school club opened in August 2001 and is run by a voluntary management committee. The group has two registered buildings which are based on the George Fentham Infant and Junior School site in the village of Hampton in Arden. The before and after school group operate from a mobile unit, whilst the wrap around nursery group use the main school's nursery unit. The group has access to several outdoor play areas. Children attend from the local and surrounding villages. The provision is registered to provide care for 36 children at any one time. There are

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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 currently 42 children on roll from three to eight years. The group also offers care for children up to the age of eleven years. The setting is not registered for nursery grant funding. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group have strategies in place to support children with learning difficulties and for children who speak English as an additional language. The setting is open from 08:00 to 09:00 and from 15:20 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, during term time only. There are six staff who work with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to National Vocational Qualification level two or three. The setting receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally clean and appropriately maintained environment. They learn about the importance of good hygiene practices through established daily routines. For example, children begin to understand why they must wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which effectively contribute to their good health and well-being, for example, they complete topic work on eating healthily and have regular discussions with staff about the food they eat. Children in the nursery group enjoyed their visit from the dentist, where they talked about and were shown how to clean and look after their teeth. Children have daily opportunities to engage in outdoor activities where they are encouraged and supported to develop new skills. For example, they enjoy team games and have access to a range of wheeled toys, bats, balls and climbing equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children attending the nursery provision are offered drinks throughout the sessions, whilst older children attending the out of school groups help themselves to drinks from the drinks tray. The nursery children are able to access a freshly prepared meal at lunch time which is prepared in the main school kitchen and served in the dinning hall. Children attending the out of school groups are able to choose a healthy snack of fresh fruit, although at present most children prefer to have freshly buttered toast with a choice of toppings. Children's health and dietary needs are met at all times because staff are fully aware of children's individual needs. For example, their individual requirements are discussed fully with parents on admission, recorded and shared with all staff. However, children attending the out of school groups do not have access to a quiet area for rest or sleep. Children's individual dietary requirements are also shared with

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Helping children to be healthy

the head cook in the main school ensuring their needs are supported at all times. Children's accident, medication and emergency consent forms are maintained although the accident book is not always fully completed.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move around safely and freely as most identified risks and hazards have been minimised through the completion of risk assessments, however, at present the risk assessments do not demonstrate what action has been taken to minimise identified risks to children. For example, gates leading in and out of the play areas are not always secured. Children use a range of suitable and safe equipment which is regularly checked to ensure it is safe for the children to use. Children are supervised at all times as they play both inside and outside of the setting and whilst being accompanied to and from the main school building. Children are kept safe because staff take positive steps to promote safety within the setting and whilst on outings. They benefit from the experienced and caring staff who talk to them about staying safe, for example, whilst using the outdoor equipment,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

before going out on visits and whilst engaged in regular fire drills. Children are protected from possible abuse or neglect, because the experienced staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities whilst protecting children in their care. Staff are confident in following the groups child protection procedures and have a designated child protection co-ordinator who would follow through any issues of concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, confident and actively enjoy their time in the group, children participate enthusiastically in the wide range of activities, including both indoor and outdoor play. The pre-school children have good opportunities to use their own initiative when selecting resources and also benefit from well planned adult-led activities. The children spoke with enormous excitement as they recalled their earlier visit from the dentist, they had remembered what foods were 'good' and what foods were 'bad' for their teeth, and why! Children's learning in the 'wrap around nursery' group is further supported through the effective links that have been established with the nursery class teacher, where the younger children attend during the morning session. They also enjoy regular visits into the local community where they visit the library for story time sessions and engage in bell ringing at the local church. Children in the out of school groups are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encouraged to make choices about their own play and activities although equipment and resources are limited. Children enjoy positive relationships with both their peer group and staff, they effectively engage in discussion with adults and their peers. They have been fully involved in completing the group's rules and take pride in accepting personal responsibility for their own behaviour. Children's behaviour is good, they are actively

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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 praised and encouraged by the staff for their efforts and achievements and their self-esteem is carefully fostered. Children show a strong sense of belonging as they greet each other and staff on arrival. They speak confidently and share their personal experiences within the group. Children listen carefully to each other, they take turns and show care and concern for others. They are able to negotiate and make decisions with staff about their choice of activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals, they are encouraged and supported to play an active role in the group and make decisions about their play and learning. Children's individual needs are supported by staff, who know the children very well and respond sensitively to their needs. Children's views are taken into account by staff when completing the planning of activities. For example, at registration time older children collectively made decisions about the evenings activities. Children are fully included in all activities and their differences are acknowledged and supported. They have access to appropriate toys, equipment and learning resources which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. Children have opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them as they acknowledge cultural festivals throughout the year including, Diwali, Chinese

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Helping children make a positive contribution

New Year and Christmas. Children are fully aware of the group's boundaries and expectations for good behaviour as they learn to negotiate with others and take responsibility for their own behaviour. Children's understanding of right and wrong is further developed as they respond to gentle reminders from staff to care for their environment, resources and each other. Children's individual care needs are fully discussed before the child starts at the setting, information is recorded and shared with staff. Parents are made to feel welcome in the group and have access to the group's policies and procedures, however, not all parents are fully aware of how the policies and procedures are implemented within the group. Children's daily activities from nursery and school are shared with parents each day ensuring parents are kept fully informed. Partnership with parents is further enhanced through the use of the parents notice board and

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care is supported by the generally effective organisation and management of the group. The staff work well as a team, they are caring, know the children very

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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 well and demonstrate a commitment to their work. Although at times the deployment of staff in the out of school group does not always meet the required staff to child ratios. Policies and procedures are in place to promote children's health, safety and enjoyment. However, whilst staff are aware of the policies and procedures they are not all fully aware of how to implement them in practice. The nursery premises are welcoming, well organised and effectively maximise the pre-school children's learning and enjoyment. Whilst the out of school facilities are satisfactory they lack appropriate storage and good quality resources. All legally required documentation is maintained and stored confidentially, however, the group's policies and procedures have not been updated in line with the revised

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Organisation

National Standards Guidance of October 2005. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been one complaint made to Ofsted since the last inspection. In March 2006 concerns were raised with Ofsted regarding staff suitability, staff to child ratios, the provision of suitable activities, sick child procedures and the quality and provision of snacks. All the concerns related to the out of school provision at the setting. These concerns related to National Standard 1 suitable person; National Standard 2 organisation; National Standard 3 care, learning and play; National Standard 7 health and National Standard 8 food and drink. Ofsted investigated through carrying out a full inspection of the childcare provision where five recommendations were made to improve the quality of care. The inspection demonstrated that the provider was meeting the National Standards and the supporting criteria. The provider remained qualified for registration.

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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

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 improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • make sure that children are able to rest or sleep according to their individual needs and ensure that accident records are fully completed and shared with parents • further develop the settings risk assessments to ensure they demonstrate what action is taken to minimise risks to children • make sure that children's individual needs are supported in the out of school group by ensuring they have access to a good range of appropriate resources • ensure parents are fully aware of the groups policies and procedures • review and develop the groups policies and procedures to ensure they are written in line with the revised National Standards guidance of October 2005

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The quality and standards of the care

• ensure staff are deployed effectively at all times and that they are made fully aware of the groups policies and procedures and how to implement them in practice.

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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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