After School Christ The King

Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Club

Unique Reference Number EY200364 Inspection date 13 March 2006 Inspector Michele Anne Villiers

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Club

Setting Address Christ the King JMI, Meadway, Wavertree, Liverpool, Merseyside, L15 7LZ Telephone number 0151 722 3462

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E-mail

Registered person After School (u.k.) Ltd 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?

Christ The King Before and After School Club is one of seven clubs run by After School (u.k.) Ltd. It opened in 2002 and operates from Christ The King Primary School. Children access two rooms and the outdoor playground. A maximum of 56 children may attend the club at any one time. The club opens five days a week, during school term time, from 08.00 to 09.00 and 15.15 to 18.00. There are currently 50 children aged from 3 years to 11 years on roll. All children attend Christ The King School.

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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 The club employs four staff, two of the staff, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications and two staff are working towards a qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Staff take appropriate steps to maintain a suitable standard of hygiene, helping to protect children from the spread of infection. The premises are clean and tables are wiped prior to children having food. Children show an awareness of simple personal hygiene procedures and are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times. Children's health is protected as staff follow adequate procedures to care for children in the event of illness, accident or emergency. However, staff have not renewed their first aid certificate, resulting in the provision being in breach of regulations. One staff member started training but did not complete the course due to illness. All staff are booked onto the next available training course in April 2006. There are teachers within the school, who hold a current first aid certificate, who are on the premises during the club's operation and may be called upon if necessary.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's understanding of healthy eating is well promoted. They are provided with healthy snacks that include fresh sliced vegetables, such as cucumber, peppers and tomatoes and for breakfast, a choice of cereal and yogurt is offered. A range of fresh fruit is also available each day. Children freely access drinking water to quench their thirst. Many opportunities are provided for children to be energetic, helping to foster their stamina and physical development. They enjoy various team games in the large hall and have access to an outside play area. Once a week children are taken to a local sports centre to play tennis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have sufficient space to freely move around in safe and secure premises. A range of suitable toys are available, but staff do not always display them appropriately. Children often cannot freely or easily access resources in order to make independent choices. Many toys are stored in low-level plastic containers but are sometimes obscured by stacked chairs, posing a risk to children when accessing or tidying away. Throughout the session staff remind children to be careful when running around, helping to prevent accidental injury. Children learn what to do in the event of an emergency when practicing the fire evacuation procedure with staff. Risk assessment is conducted on the premises and toys and the provider ensures that outings for specific activities are safe and suitable for the age range of children attending. Staff receive in-house training during induction on health and safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further protected from harm as the staff have a general awareness of child protection issues. The manager has accessed some training and there is a written policy, in line with the government guidelines, for staff to follow.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are broadly content and settled in the setting. They play well alongside each other, sharing and taking turns and relate well to the staff, initiating conversation and interaction. Children confidently explore their environment and freely move around to access the activities and play opportunities staff provide. Staff plan topical activities, but sometimes fail to make the activity sufficiently challenging to motivate the children's interest and learning. For example, children plant seeds into small pots but staff do not provide supporting materials, such as books, pictures, or any information about the flowers that they are hoping to grow. Children show enthusiasm and involvement as they play team games and enjoy football. They happily play with construction, drawing, puzzles and role-play. Art and craft activities are encouraged and children use their imagination to freely draw.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Planned activities enable children to explore paint and collage as they make masks and festive cards. They help themselves to a wide range of books, fostering their interest in language and literacy and freely talk about past and present events during discussion time. Staff join in with the children's activities and respond to their interests, promoting the children's confidence and self-esteem. They play board games with children, helping to foster their sequencing and mathematical skills as they discuss shape, number and pattern.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They make a positive contribution to the setting and their work is celebrated and displayed on the wall. Children learn about different cultures and festivals such as Chinese New Year and Diwali. They have access to some toys and resources reflecting positive images of race, culture, gender and disability to further their understanding and respect for others. Play experiences are not gender specific and all children are encouraged to access all activities. Children's behaviour is satisfactory and staff use praise and encouragement to reinforce good behaviour. Children contribute to the list of 'Our rules' and 'Things to do if you are being bullied'. Staff have a satisfactory relationship with parents. A parent notice board displays up-to-date information about the provision and parents have access to the written policies and procedures. Parents are welcome into the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

setting and informally chat to staff, sharing information. Appropriate contracts are in place and staff gather information about individual children's needs, likes and dislikes. However, written parental consent is not always obtained for their child to participate in specific outings and sporting activities.

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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 The club is satisfactorily organised with sufficient qualified staff to meet the children's needs and promote their care, learning and play. Appropriate recruitment procedures are in place, to ensure that staff are vetted. Regular staff meetings and appraisals identify any staff training needs, but this is not always acted on effectively to ensure that staff qualifications, such as first aid, do not expire. Most relevant documentation is in place with written policies and procedures on file for the adequate management of the provision. Records are stored appropriately and made available for inspection. Overall 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 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): • ensure there is at least one member of staff with a current first aid certificate on the premises or on outings at any one time • organise resources so children may make choices and independently help themselves, and ensure planned activities are stimulating and interesting • provide an effective system for keeping parents well informed about the provision and specific activities and obtain written consent where necessary.

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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 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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