BLAST

BLAST

Inspection report for early years provision

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BLAST

Unique Reference Number EY314648 Inspection date 27 June 2006 Inspector (Kate) Kathryn, Jane Ryder

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BLAST

Setting Address Blackshaw Lane Primary School, Blackshaw Lane, Royton, Oldham, OL2 6NT Telephone number 01706 847878

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E-mail

Registered person Royton After School Care Association 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?

BLAST Out of School Club was registered in 2005 and is part of the Royton After School Care Association. It operates from Blackshaw Lane Primary School in Royton and has the use of the school hall and library, the family learning room and kitchen facilities. The school play ground provides opportunities for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of 35 children may attend the club at any one time and there are currently 24 children on roll. It opens each week day from 07.30 to 09.00 and 15.00 to 18.00 during term time. Pupils of the school are given priority for places.

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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 setting currently supports children with special educational needs and children who speak English as an additional language. A team of three members of staff work with the children, all of whom hold relevant qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children generally learn the importance of good personal health and hygiene issues through the established daily routines. They know, for example, to wash their hands as they arrive in the club in readiness for their evening snack. Children's welfare is further protected as all members of staff have valid first aid certificates and there are generally good procedures in place to record accidents and the use of medication. There are clear systems in place to monitor quantities of particular medicines on the premises. However, parents do not sign the record of administration and as a result children's welfare is compromised. This is a breach of registration. Snacks are prepared in principle with good food hygiene advice although staff's certificates are out-dated. Children enjoy regular physical exercise through a range of organised outdoor activities. For example, football, quick cricket, tennis and skipping games. During wet

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Helping children to be healthy

weather children partake in a variety of softball games and parachute games in the large school hall. Example menus show children benefit from some healthy snacks. However, biscuits and crisps are provided frequently and do not support a healthy eating ethos. Children have a clear understanding about a healthy diet, they know fruit is healthier than crisps and help to make strong teeth and bones. Children are able to keep themselves hydrated by helping themselves to drinks of water throughout the session, particularly after strenuous physical activity, such as ball and skipping games. Children's special dietary requirements are recorded and known to members of staff ensuring children remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a newly built child centred play environment. It is appropriately decorated, well maintained and very safe and secure. It provides sufficient space to enable children to play and relax in comfort. Appropriate organisation of the play area allows children to move freely and safely. Children's sense of belonging is enhanced through the use of welcome posters, coat pegs at child height and some displays of their art work. Fire drills are carried out to ensure safe evacuation of the building. However, there is only one entry since the club opened and this compromises children's safety. Children use a broad range of safe and good quality resources. They are able to make choices from the range of play activities available and are familiar with where

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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 things are kept which encourages them to play independently. Furniture is organised to allow children to move around safely and confidently. The chairs and tables are an appropriate height for the children attending and they are able to relax comfortably in the child sized easy chairs and sofa. Staff are clear about their role and responsibilities with regard to child protection and therefore children are well protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are warmly greeted upon arrival by the practitioners. They enter the setting confidently and make their way to the bathroom to wash their hands ready for their snack. Children are happy, relaxed and approach the play activities with enthusiasm. They spend their time purposefully and take part in a sufficient range of activities that they self select such as: board games, construction, home corner play, snooker, computer, play station, craft activities and various outdoor games. However, there are few opportunities for regular creative activities. Children play cooperatively together. For example, they take turns to use the play station, the computer and skipping rope. Members of staff interact well with the children. They are very involved in outdoor games, encouraging children to sing skipping songs and taking turns turning the rope. They support children in learning new skills such as chess and consult children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

about planning future activities. Recently children have requested and particularly enjoyed activities around the 'World Cup' theme. They have made football shirt pictures representing all the countries taking part in the tournament and watched some of the matches on the television.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have some opportunities to develop awareness about diversity in the wider world through a range of activities. For example, they explore culture through the celebration of festivals, such as St David's day when they made daffodils and Chinese New Year with paper dragons. Planting seeds, watering and watching the plants grow and flower provide children with an appreciation of the living world. There is a small range of anti-discriminatory toy resources which help children learn about similarities and differences that connect them to and distinguish them from others. Children with additional needs are cared for appropriately and sensitively in consultation with parents and other relevant professionals. Children are well behaved and polite in response to the expectations of practitioners. They take turns and show some concern for others. For example, they patiently wait

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Helping children make a positive contribution

for their turn at the computer or on the play station. Children are learning to act responsibly, such as tidying toys away, pouring their own drinks and playing outdoors within the set boundaries.

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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 Practitioners promote good partnerships with parents. For example, through gathering information on the registration form about children's individual needs, displays on the parent notice board and the use of newsletters. Parents have access to the club policies and procedures which outline the expectations of the group. Regular informal discussion keep parents informed about their children's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The play room is child centred and very welcoming. It is organised to help children be independent. Children benefit from the active involvement of the practitioners in the activities which enhances their enjoyment and sense of achievement. Children's safety and welfare is protected due to the vetting procedures which all staff submit to. All members of staff have appropriate qualifications and ongoing training is encouraged and seen as a means to further develop the provision. Documentation is appropriately kept to promote children's welfare. Policies and procedures generally work in practice to ensure there are positive outcomes for children. The registration method is appropriate and clearly details the children present and the time that they leave. The staff files contain relevant information although there is a lack of confidentiality related to the storing of criminal record

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Organisation

disclosure forms. There are good procedures in place for covering staff absences. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

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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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 parents sign the medicine record book to acknowledge any entries • make sure children are provided with a greater choice of healthy and nutritious snacks • make sure the frequency of fire drills are increased so that children become familiar with evacuation procedures • devise a system to record criminal record checks whilst maintaining confidentiality.

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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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