Marlow After School Club

Marlow After School Club Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY406958 Inspection date 19/01/2011 Inspector Margaret Moffat

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Setting address Marlow Youth Centre, Wycombe Road, MARLOW, Buckinghamshire, SL7 3JD Telephone number 01628 484 887 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as

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you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Marlow After School Club registered in 2010 and is owned by a private provider. The club operates from Marlow Youth Centre, in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The club is open to the children who attend all the local schools. It is open Monday to Friday after school from 3.30pm to 6pm, term times only. The children have access to the main hall and two side rooms. There is a secure outdoor play area. The group is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The group is registered to care for a maximum of 40 children under eight at any one time.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 33 children on roll aged from four to 11 years. Of these, two are in the early years age group. On the day of inspection there were no children in the early years age range present.

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Description of the setting

The club employs five staff to work with the children, of whom four hold relevant childcare qualifications.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The setting provides an environment where children have ample play opportunities to develop and learn. Staff promote many aspects of children's welfare with success and demonstrate a developing understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to assist children's progress. Staff value and respect children as individuals and provide appropriate support to ensure they are fully included. The manager is beginning to evaluate the provision and has a positive attitude towards continual improvement. However, the setting is in breach of a regulation with regard to documentation.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure record of risk assessment clearly states when it was carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 19/01/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 increase staff's knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to fully support and extend children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Through discussion staff demonstrate a sound understanding of their duty to protect the children and the signs and symptoms that would alert them to have concerns about a child in their care. The manager and staff also attend training to ensure they are fully up to date in these matters. All relevant documentation, policies and procedures are in place to support the safety and welfare of the children. Security systems are effective and daily checks undertaken ensure the areas used by the children are safe and hazards minimised. A risk assessment record is in place, however, it does not show when they were carried out, by whom or the date of review and this is a breach of regulation.

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the early years provision

At the time of inspection the setting had only been operating for a short time. The manager is beginning to evaluate the setting and has identified some areas for improvement in particular with regard to further developing staff's knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. They receive support from the local authority partnership and take action on advice given, for example, by exploring ways to help children become more independent and ensuring the self-evaluation is completed. The manager has also devised questionnaires for parents and children so their views on the setting can be taken into consideration and this shows a capacity for continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The environment is welcoming and provides ample space for children to move around and play comfortably. There is an appropriate selection of activities and resources to support children in their learning. The setting promotes equality and diversity and information is sought about the culture, backgrounds and individual needs of the children to ensure these are catered for. Information is provided for parents through regular newsletters and notice boards. Staff also share information with parents verbally on a daily basis with regard to their children when they come to collect them from the setting. The manager is beginning to make links with the schools children attend to help further promote their learning in the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Staff have a developing understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. They explain how they support children's learning through a wide range of play experiences both indoors and out. For example, they talk about providing activities that keep children interested, excited and motivated to learn, such as sewing, to help develop children's hand-eye coordination, sporting activities to develop their physical skills and number work to help children gain confidence in their use of numbers; they also introduce new vocabulary involved with addition and subtraction. Plans show that children take part in activities to help them explore, experiment, solve problems and develop their confidence and independence. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Areas of the room are designated to allow children to be active and quiet, be involved in physical activities and have access to a café during their time in the

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and outcomes for children

setting. Children can choose what they want to do from the selection of resources and activities available. Staff use publications such as 'providing a culturally rich curriculum in the early years' to plan activities and projects to help children develop an understanding of the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

From discussions and menu samples, staff demonstrate an appropriate understanding of healthy eating, including the need to have drinks available at all times. The recent introduction of the café provides children with opportunities to choose when and what they want to eat from the healthy and nutritious selection of snacks on offer. Staff have a clear understanding of how to promote the good health of children. They ensure the setting is clean and the surfaces used by the children are wiped down before and after eating and ensure the children follow appropriate hygiene routines.

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and outcomes for children

The manager explains how children learn about their own safety through discussions about fire safety, stranger danger and about the safety rules of the setting. They organise outside speakers, such as the fire officer, to come into the setting to reinforce the dangers regarding fire. Staff show a sound knowledge of behaviour management giving examples of how they approach a variety of situations for the children of different ages. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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