Alpha Out of School/Holiday Club

Alpha Out of School/Holiday Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Alpha Out of School/Holiday Club

Unique Reference Number EY298937 Inspection date 22 May 2006 Inspector Sarah Morfett

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Alpha Out of School/Holiday Club

Setting Address Wyborne Primary School, Footscray Road, London, SE9 2EH

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Alpha Out of School/Holiday Club

Telephone number 0208 859 3586 E-mail alpha-chain@fsmail.net Registered person Muibat Popoola Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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Alpha Out of School/Holiday Club

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?

Alpha Out Of School Club/Holiday Club opened in 2005. It is privately owned. The out of school club operates from the dining hall in Wybourne Primary School. It is situated in New Eltham, London. A maximum of 40 children may attend the club at any one time. The out of school club is open each weekday from 15:15 to 18:30 for 50 weeks of the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 23 children aged from four to under 11 years on roll. Children come from a local catchment area.

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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 out of school club employs seven staff. Of these, five of the staff, including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. There is one member of staff working towards a childcare qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with an adequate range of activities which help to promote their understanding of hygiene routines. For example, staff encourage them to wash their hands after using the toilet or playing with messy play activities. Children demonstrate an understanding of why they wash their hands and know that this keeps them healthy, however, resources provided are basic and the children do not utilise the facilities well. Children develop a basic understanding of good hygiene. Children are protected by the procedure for recording accidents. Accidents are recorded and parents sign to acknowledge them. Children receiving on-going medication are considered. The procedure in place ensures that staff are aware of their needs and permission is gained from parents. Therefore, all children's needs are met and their well-being is fostered. Children have plenty of opportunity for physical exercise. For example, there is a

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Helping children to be healthy

secure outside play area where they enjoy a game of football with the staff. Therefore, they can be active after school. The children are provided with drinks throughout the session. These are left within easy reach so they can access them whenever they need to. Children make choices about what they eat, each day the staff ask them to choose from two options. A menu is provided for the week and a healthy balance is offered. Children begin to learn how to make healthy choices.

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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 safe and secure environment. There is plenty of space for them to move around and play freely within the spacious hall. Children select from the suitable range of toys which are displayed around the room and are easily accessed. There is a risk assessment routine in place, for example, staff walk round at opening and closing time to ensure all safety equipment is in place. Children's safety is promoted. Children are protected by the range of suitable safety equipment in place, such as, the fire fighting equipment and entry system. An emergency evacuation plan is in place and the staff demonstrate an awareness of this. This is practised and details are recorded. Children benefit from the safety systems in place. The out of school club has most of the procedures in place to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded. For example, there is a lost and uncollected child policy in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

place. The child protection policy informs parents of the group’s duty of care. Staff

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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 demonstrate an awareness of the procedures to follow if concerns were to be raised. However, the policy does not detail a procedure to follow in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against a member of staff. Staff are positive in their approach to caring for the children, therefore, children's well-being is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and happy at the out of school club. They demonstrate sound levels of well-being and involvement, because staff provide them with an adequate range of toys and activities which provide them with opportunities to relax and have fun. For example, they can play with a play station, a farm with a variety of animals and there are opportunities to mark make with an assortment of pencils and chalk. Children enjoy coming to the out of school club and settle well. Children of all ages interact well with each other; the older ones help the younger ones. For example, one of the younger children has lost a toy, all of the children join together to help find it. One of the older ones finds it and the younger child is very happy. Staff give lots of praise and the children feel acknowledged and affirmed. Children benefit from praise and encouragement. Children enjoy time playing outside. The staff organise a game of football for them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and they have fun running around and being active. There are basic plans in place to ensure the children receive a variety of experiences. If they become bored with them they can request other activities. Children have choice and are able to self select from the range of activities provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with a view of the wider world around them. They are able to play with an adequate range of activities which increase their awareness of diversity, such as dolls and small world people which reflect different cultures. Children are acknowledged and valued by staff who take time to get to know the children whilst they are at the club. The procedure in place for recording children's needs means that staff have current information and can care for them according to the parents' wishes. All children are treated as individuals. Children's behaviour at the club is generally good. The staff deal with incidents of negative behaviour quickly and quietly, getting down to the child's level and speaking in a calm voice. Children have made a list of rules to abide by. They agree not to run and to treat each other kindly. Children know what is expected of them and play well

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Helping children make a positive contribution

within the clear boundaries set. The partnership with parents is satisfactory. Parents receive information about the group before they join and all children's details are recorded so their needs are met. Staff share information about the children's day at picking up times they take time to

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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 chat, therefore, good relationships are built. Children feel comfortable as they know their parents are happy with the care provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and settled within the adequately organised environment. They feel secure and at ease with the familiar staff and surroundings and can access an inviting range of play opportunities. Systems are in place to ensure the adults working with children are suitable to do so. The registration certificate is displayed and the necessary records are in place and shared with parents. These include daily attendance records which show arrival and departure times. Children's welfare and care are promoted due to the range of policies and procedures, which underpin the group's daily practice. The children are supported by qualified and experienced staff and the adult/child ratios are met. However, there are times when children are left with one member of staff for short periods of time, such as, when children need to go to the toilet. A member of staff escorts them to the toilet; this leaves one member of staff with the

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Organisation

rest of the group and impacts on the children's safety. The provider is committed towards the continuing improvement of the provision. The group provides a professional service. Overall, the group 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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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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): • develop children's understanding of personal hygiene routines and provide suitable resources for staff and children to access • ensure the deployment of staff takes into consideration effective procedures for the children's toileting and staff ratios are maintained. • include in the child protection policy procedures to protect staff from allegations of abuse and detail a procedure to follow if this were to occur

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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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