Schools Out

Schools Out Amberly Slope

Inspection report for early years provision

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Schools Out Amberly Slope

Unique Reference Number 260886 Inspection date 11 January 2006 Inspector Lesley Barrett

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Schools Out Amberly Slope

Setting Address Amberly Slope Primary School, Amberly Slope,Werrington, PETERBOROUGH, Cambridgeshire, PE4 6QG Telephone number 079466 54042

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E-mail

Registered person Karen Woodham 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?

Schools Out Amberly Slope opened in 2001. It operates from a mobile classroom in the grounds of Werrington Primary School in Peterborough. The building has two play rooms plus toilets, kitchen and office facilities. The children are able to use the school play ground for outside play. The club serves children attending Werrington Primary School. The group opens each week day during school term times. Sessions are from 0800 hours until 0845 hours and 1500 hours until 1800 hours. The group also offers a summer holiday scheme from 0800 until 1800 hours. A maximum of 32 children may attend the setting at any one time. There are currently

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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 31 children on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs. There are currently 5 staff members working with the children. Two members of staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. One member of staff is currently working towards a recognised early years qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health and well being is protected by staff's knowledge of first aid procedures and their calm manner, which ensures that they are able to treat a child's minor first aid requirements. They have a clear understanding of the need to record accidents and ensure that parents are made aware that their child has sustained an injury. Children are provided with snacks after school, however, these do not always provide healthy options and lack variety. Consequently, children's health and knowledge regarding healthy eating is not effectively promoted. Drinks are poured ready for children on their arrival and they are able to request further drinks throughout the sessions. However, they are unable to access these independently. The premises are clean, well maintained and children are encouraged to wash their hands prior to eating and after visiting the toilet. However, the current system in place for hand

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Helping children to be healthy

washing on arrival from school is not appropriate and does not fully protect children from the risk of cross contamination. Children's needs to release energy after a day at school are met, as staff provide them with the opportunity to participate in physical play on a daily basis. They enjoy playing in the school play ground adjacent to the mobile, where they ride on scooters, construct with building bricks and participate in team games, helping to develop their social skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The risks to children are minimised by the organisation of the play space available. Areas within the club are used appropriately. Quieter activities are arranged inside and more physical activities are encouraged in the outdoor play area, allowing children to play safely and free from harm. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe, as staff remind them not to run inside or to tip back on their chair. Fire drills are practised, helping children and staff become familiar with the routines to be followed in the event of an emergency. Children are able to access resources which are effectively stored and labelled, allowing them to make informed decisions about the types of activities they would like to play with. Staff regularly monitor the safety of the equipment to ensure that is

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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 suitable for children to use. Staff working with the children have an understanding of the importance of child protection procedures.They are aware of whom they should contact should they have any concerns, helping them to keep children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with a relaxed unstructured environment, which allows them to unwind after a day at school. They arrive confidently, showing that they are settled and familiar with their routine. They place their coats and bags in the allocated place and help themselves to snack, chatting with their peers and staff about their day at school. Children are stimulated and interested in the activities available and receive support from staff who show interest in their play, helping them to feel valued. They freely chose whether they play inside or outside and those wishing to sit quietly are provided with opportunities to do so. Children enjoy playing games with members of staff who join in enthusiastically, such as, the yes/no game or cards. They are provided with opportunities to participate in different craft activities, as planned by the staff, for example, drawing dragons in connection with the Chinese New Year. A play

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

station is available, however time spent on this is limited to ensure that they have appropriate stimulation from a variety of activities. Children who attend during the school holidays report that they enjoy going out on trips. Their favourites are the Butterfly Park and Snettisham Park farm.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the group. They are provided with opportunities to learn about cultures and traditions as they celebrate festivals, such as, Christmas and the Chinese New Year. However, positive images on display are limited, consequently, opportunities to increase children's knowledge of the wider world are not effectively promoted. Children with individual needs are supported by staff and able to participate in all activities on offer. Children behave well as staff are calm and explain why they are asking a child not to do something. They redirect children's attentions into appropriate activities, to prevent their behaviour becoming unacceptable. This helps to reduce negative messages and allows children to learn about acceptable boundaries. Staff make effective use of praise and encouragement to promote children's self- esteem. Relationships with parents are friendly. Staff share information verbally on a daily

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Helping children make a positive contribution

basis, to ensure that parents are kept informed about their child's day. They are provided with a parent pack when they enrol their child at the club. This ensures that they are aware of the club rules, current policies, procedures and the care provided

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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 for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Staff are suitably qualified or working towards a recognised qualification to ensure that have adequate knowledge for their role. They are deployed effectively, work well as a team and are aware of their own individual responsibilities. This helps to ensure that children are provided with sufficient care and support during their time at the club. The space and resources available are used effectively ensuring that children have sufficient space to move freely and make choices about what they would like to play with. The organisation of snack time provides a relaxed social environement in which children are able to discuss their days activities with friends and staff. A full range of polices, procedures and all necessary regulatory documentation are in place. Staff are aware of the need to adhere to these to support the organisation of the setting and the children's care. Overall, the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider received 3 actions and 2 recommendations. The provider has suitable procedures in place for checking that staff are suitable to work with children and a risk assessment is carried out on the premises daily. These both have a positive impact on keeping children safe. With regard to ensuring safety standards are maintained when transporting children, the provider no longer collects children from neighbouring schools. When taking children on trips during holiday times, a coach company is used. All records relating to day care activities are now readily accessible and available for inspection, helping to support the organisation of the club. The provider was also asked to ensure that snacks offered to children were healthy and nutritious. Some improvement has been made within this area, however further development is required to fully promote children's good health.

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Complaints 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. There has been 1 complaint made to Ofsted since the last inspection. Concerns were raised with Ofsted about accident recording, risk assessments not being carried out, and a period of time where there was not a first aid trained staff member on the premises. Concerns were also raised regarding the alleged behaviour of the deputy towards children.

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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 Two Ofsted Inspectors visited the club to discuss these concerns in line with National Standards 1 (Suitable Person), 2 (Organisation), 3 (Care, Learning & Play), 6 (Safety), 7 (Health) and 14 (Documentation). Based on the information obtained during the visit, National Standards 1, 7 and 14 were found not to have been met. Action was taken against the provider to ensure that the National Standards were met. These have been addressed and the provider continues to be registered.

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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): • review the current system in place for washing hands when children arrive from school to ensure that cross contamination is prevented • continue to review snacks offered to children to ensure that they are nutritious, provide vareity and encourage children to make healthy choices • increase positive images which actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practise for all children.

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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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