St Thomas Aquinas After School Project

St Thomas Aquinas After School Project St.Thomas Aquinas Combined School, St. Marys Avenue, Bletchley, MILTON KEYNES, MK3 5DT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 March 2015 24 March 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Children thoroughly enjoy coming to the after school project and staff plan a good range of activities which are based on their interests. Children state that they particularly enjoy the range of art and craft activities available to them.  Staff complement children's learning in school by extending their knowledge of themes, such as 'The Ancient Mayans'.  The manager is very organised. She is supported effectively by professional staff and the active committee members.  The manager has implemented previous inspection recommendations, which demonstrates a commitment to improvement.  The staff have a good knowledge of the safeguarding and welfare requirements and therefore, children's health, safety and security are promoted.  Children are well behaved; they set the rules for acceptable behaviour and follow these in practice. They have good relationships with the attentive staff.  Partnerships with parents and the school are strong and they speak highly of the after

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This provision is good

school project. There are consistent links to support children's care and learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always make the best use of resources in the outdoor play area to support children's interests and to provide more choices.  The organisation of snack time does not fully encourage children's independence skills.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance outdoor play experiences so that children have more choice and opportunity to follow their interests  review arrangements for snack time to enable children to build on their independence skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors and outside.  The inspector had discussions with children, parents, committee member and staff.  The inspector looked at the self-evaluation form and a selection of policies and children's records.

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who attend. This is good

The atmosphere is buzzing as children arrive after school and they are confident happy and relaxed. Staff are guided by the learning and development requirements as they plan exciting activities to enhance children's interests. Therefore, all children engage and have fun. Children enjoy many art and craft activities, such as making fantasy flowers and create their own pictures in the style of other artists, such as Van Gogh. Staff use good teaching skills; they know when to offer support and when to sit back and allow children to try things for themselves. Children enjoy being active outdoors, although, staff do not always make good use of resources in this area to provide choice and to stimulate children's interest. Staff organise different 'clubs', which rotate so that all children are able to join in. For example, children enjoy making pizzas in the 'cooking club'. Children care for living things as they plant herbs and feed 'Gary' the African snail. As a result, children

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who attend. This is good

extend their existing good skills in the after school project.

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good

A member of staff is responsible for overseeing the children's time in the after school project and they are called a key-person. Children enjoy playing with their friends after school and they are very polite, kind and caring towards adults and one another. Children learn to take turns and share, for example, as they play card games. Staff support children's growing understanding of the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Children enjoy healthy snacks, although, staff do not fully extend their independence skills at this time, by for example, helping to prepare and serve food and drink. Good procedures for accidents and administrating medication support children's good health. There is a very good range of resources and the children's play environment is attractive and enticing. There is space for children to relax in the book area and children have time to do their homework.

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provision is good

The manager leads and manages her team effectively. There are robust recruitment procedures in place and as a result, very enthusiastic staff are caring for the children. All staff have good knowledge of safeguarding and child-protection reporting procedures. The staff team, children and parents are involved in the self-evaluation process and their reflective practice results in continuous improvements. The manager uses effective systems to monitor staff performance and their professional development. Staff have good opportunities to develop their skills through training. All staff hold first-aid qualifications and keep up to date, for example, by implementing the latest food allergen requirements. Parents speak highly of the after school project stating their children are always excited to attend and they feel reassured by this.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 141788 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 841491 Type of provision Out of school provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 4 - 8 Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 36 Name of provider St Thomas Aquinas After School Project Committee Date of previous inspection 24 March 2009 Telephone number 01908 373977

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Setting details

St. Thomas Aquinas After School Project registered 1995. It operates from 3pm to 6pm during term time and from 8.30am to 6pm in the school holidays. The after school project has extended its service provision to include a breakfast club from 7.30am to 8.45am. All of the staff working at the After School Project hold relevant qualifications to level 3 and the manager holds a relevant level 5 qualification.

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Setting details

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

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

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Setting details

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Setting details

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

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