Time Out Afterschool Club

Time Out After School/Homework Club Nechells Methodist Church, Nechells Park Road, BIRMINGHAM, West Midlands, B7 5PR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11/12/2014 12/03/2014

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early years provision

This inspection: 4 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 4 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The providers show an inadequate understanding of how to effectively safeguard the children in their care. Therefore, they are unable to respond in an appropriate way to any child protection concerns, putting children at risk of harm.  Self-evaluation is weak and does not identify breaches to a number of legal requirements including; the failure to ensure that staff preparing and handling food are suitably qualified; to ensure a named deputy is present in the absence of the manager and to carry out effective risk assessments to keep children safe.  The key person system is not robust enough to plan for children's individual needs; children who speak English as an additional language do not always receive appropriate support as staff are not aware of other languages children use at home and relationships with the schools they attended are not strong enough.  Children's health is compromised because the provider does not promote healthy eating

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This provision is inadequate

and children are not encouraged to make healthy food choices.

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It has the following strengths

 Children are well behaved, interact well with each other and enjoy their time at the club.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the main hall.  The inspector observed children having tea.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the providers, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's observation records, planning documentation, evidence of suitability of staff working within the setting, and a range of other documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of inspection.

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Information about the setting

Time Out After School/Homework Club opened in 2003 and is run by a committee. It is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. It operates from Nechells Methodist Church in the Nechells area of Birmingham. The club serves the immediate locality and also the surrounding areas. The club opens five days a week from 3pm to 6pm during term time, and from 8.45am to 6pm during school holidays. Children attend for a variety of sessions. Children are cared for in one room. Currently the club does not have access to an enclosed outdoor play area. Staff take children to the local park for outside play. There are currently 27 children on roll, of whom five are in the early years age group. The club supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. There are currently seven staff working directly with the children, all of whom have an appropriate early years qualification. Six of the staff

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Information about the setting

have qualifications at level 3 and one member of staff has a qualification at level 2. The club receives support from the local authority.

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must:

 ensure all staff have a secure understanding of safeguarding issues and can effectively implement a policy and procedure to safeguard children in line with the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board, to enable them to respond in an appropriate way to any child protection concerns

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must:

 demonstrate all reasonable steps are taken to ensure staff and children are not exposed to risks, for example, by ensuring all areas are checked for safety and security issues before use

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must:

 ensure staffing arrangements are organised to meet the needs of all children and ensure their safety with particular regard to having a named deputy who is capable and qualified to take charge in the manager's absence

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must:

 improve procedures for monitoring and reviewing policies and procedures; specifically revise the safeguarding policy so it is in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance in order that staff respond to any concerns in the appropriate way

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must:

 ensure all staff who prepare food are suitably qualified to do so by receiving training in food hygiene, to promote children's health

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must:

 improve the key person system to ensure that all children build secure relationships with a consistent member of staff by; increasing staff knowledge and understanding of all children's individual needs, particularly in relation to children who speak English as an Additional Language, and by promoting a two-way flow of information with the other settings children attend

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must:

 promote the good health of children by ensuring that snacks and meals provided are healthy, balanced and nutritious.

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who attend

Staff have a satisfactory knowledge of the prime and specific areas of learning and mostly plan activities that are enjoyed by children and which support their overall development. Staff support some younger children as they join in a planned activity to make Christmas decorations, providing help and guidance when they struggle to follow the instructions. However, other young children sitting at a different table are not given any staff support as their key person is not in the room. As a result, staff fail to support all children's confidence and self-esteem appropriately.

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who attend

Staff gather some information about children's individual needs by asking parents to complete registration documents and by talking to them before children start. This means that staff are beginning to find out about children's interests and capabilities. However, information gathered from parents about children's cultural backgrounds is not always considered by the child's key person. Consequently, not all children are fully supported to develop a positive sense of themselves and others and their individual learning needs are not catered for. For example, some staff do not know what other languages their key children speak at home and so are unable to adequately support this area of the child's development. Information sharing with teachers at some schools about children's learning and development works generally well. Discussions take place with parents and teachers where a child may need further support. However, this works less effectively for children

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who attend

who attend other schools in the area. This is because these links are not well established to maximise opportunities to share information about children's current interests.

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who attend

Staff provide some opportunities for children to develop skills. Children's independence skills are developed by routine opportunities, such as getting their own plates of food and pouring their own drinks at tea time. Their physical skills are developed as they enjoy playing with hoops, painting and making pictures using glue and different materials. Older children enjoy learning how to share and take turns as they play board games in small groups.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children's well-being is not fully supported because of the significant weaknesses in the arrangements regarding safeguarding, security and safety. The provider's lack of understanding of key aspects of safeguarding practice, such as risk assessments and general promotion of children's health, mean that children's overall well-being is compromised. Children's safety is compromised due to failings in management procedures and inadequate practice. The manager and staff do not follow their own risk assessment and health and safety policies. For example, they do not ensure that every area of the setting is checked before children arrive. The hall is used by other groups during the day and the risk assessment policy states that all areas of the room are checked prior to children's arrival. However, children arrive at the club and enter the hall before staff. At no time do staff check the premises to ensure that any adults whose suitability or

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

identification has not been checked are present, or that the premises are secure and any hazards are removed. As a result, staff do not protect children from the risk of harm.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are not supported sufficiently in developing healthy lifestyles because staff do not promote healthy options. At tea time they are led by children's requests for foods which are high in sugar and fat. For example, staff offer children meat or cheese sandwiches but if children prefer, they can choose jam or chocolate spread. Children are also given a packet of crisps after their sandwich. This demonstrates that the club are not encouraging children to make healthy choices to promote their good health. Furthermore, the provider has failed to ensure that staff who are involved in preparing and handling food have received appropriate food hygiene training, to promote children's health adequately. Staff follow some procedures to keep children safe. For example, when they light candles on the Christmas decorations children have made, they remind them to hold them away from their bodies and supervise young children closely. Although, this means children learn

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

some appropriate safety messages, they are actually given a false sense of security as practices and procedures to safeguard children are inconsistently implemented by staff.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

In other respects, it is evident that children enjoy attending this welcoming club and they demonstrate through their behaviour that they feel a sense of belonging. There is a relaxed and happy atmosphere within the club because the staff are approachable and friendly. Children appear confident in their communications with staff and the inspector, as they initiate friendly conversations. This has some positive impact on younger children's emotional well-being. Staff work in partnership with parents as they talk to them when they pick up their children and share information about the child's day. This promotes, to some extent, a shared approach and continuity in care.

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provision

The management and leadership of the club are inadequate. The provider has not made effective progress in improving the provision to ensure the best possible outcomes for children. The whole setting is not being effectively monitored through robust and effective self-evaluation. This results in the setting not driving, securing and maintaining improvements in all areas. Partnership working with other providers is weak, resulting in continuity of care not being promoted.

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provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children at the club are inadequate. Not all staff demonstrate that they have a secure understanding of safeguarding procedures in the event of there being concerns about a child's welfare. Some staff were unfamiliar with the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer and were unable to confirm appropriate procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. This means children's welfare could be compromised. The club has a written safeguarding policy in place. However, this has not been regularly reviewed as it does not reflect current Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and guidance to help staff to know whom to contact, if there are any concerns about a child's welfare. Despite being raised as an action for improvement at the last inspection, the provider has still failed to ensure that staff preparing food have received appropriate food hygiene training. This

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provision

puts the children at risk of eating food which is not adequately cooked or prepared in a hygienic way. There is a risk assessment policy in place but staff do not always follow it. Management do not monitor staff practice well enough to identify where risk assessments have not been carried out. As a result, children are not always protected from harm. Systems are not secure to ensure effective deployment of staff with relevant skills, qualifications and training to meet the requirements. A staff member is not identified as a named deputy when the manager is absent, which impacts on the overall organisation of the club and on children's safety. These are breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements and also of the requirements for the Childcare Register.

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provision

A system for the performance management of staff has been implemented. Staff have individual supervision sessions, when they discuss any training needs, specific targets and their roles and responsibilities. The club also holds staff meetings on a regular basis when staff discuss areas for improvement, although weaknesses in self-evaluation means that the priorities for improvement are not recognised. Staff work in partnership with parents to ensure children's basic care needs are met. Partnerships with parents are generally sound and some information is shared consistently. Parents say that their children enjoy attending the club and they appreciate the service the club offers during term time and holidays.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

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actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

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To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

 train all staff on the written statement of procedures to be followed to safeguard children from abuse or neglect (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  take all necessary measures to minimise any risks to the health or safety of the children and staff in their care (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that any food and/or drink provided is properly prepared, wholesome and nutritious (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  take all necessary measures to minimise any risks to the health or safety of the children and staff in their care (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY137161 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 966265

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Type of provision

Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 27 Name of provider Time Out After School/Homework Club Committee Date of previous inspection 12/03/2014 Telephone number 0121 328 3399

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Type of provision

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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