Acorns Club

Acorns Club Helmshore CP School, Gregory Fold, Helmshore, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 4JW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 April 2015 19 November 2008

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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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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Requires improvement The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Requires improvement The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The management team are not clear about their roles and responsibilities. Managers do not ensure that all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are implemented. Changes to the management committee and the club manager have not been notified to Ofsted.  Managers do not have robust systems for ensuring documentation, such as the club policies, fully comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. For example, the safeguarding policy does not include details regarding the use of mobile phones and cameras in the club. Self-evaluation is not yet robust in identifying and acting on areas to improve.

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It has the following strengths

 Children are consulted and contribute towards the planning of activities, enabling them to follow their interests and promote their independence. Therefore, children of all ages and stages of development enjoy their time at the club.  Practitioners establish warm and secure relationships with children, so children have a strong sense of security and belonging. Therefore, children are confident, self- motivated and their emotional well-being is supported.  Partnerships with parents and professionals at the school are good. Practitioners effectively complement children's learning in school and parents praise the level of care that practitioners provide for their children. All children make good progress because there is a shared approach to their learning and development.  Practitioners have a good understanding of child protection procedures and support children's growing understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure the safeguarding policy includes details regarding the safe use of mobile phones and cameras within the club.

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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

 develop the use of self-evaluation and reflective practice to identify the club's strengths and weaknesses, in order to inform identified priorities and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 inform Ofsted, as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after the changes occur, of changes to the governing body, including the name, date of birth, address and telephone number of all members (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  inform Ofsted of the appointment of the manager as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after the appointment (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  inform Ofsted of the appointment of the manager as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after the appointment (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors and outside.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held meetings with the managers of the setting.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability of practitioners working with children.  The inspector took account of the views of children and parents spoken to on the day.

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who attend. This is good

The experienced practitioners have a secure understanding of how to help children relax after a busy school day and initiate their own play. Children are motivated, occupied and interested in the diverse activities and experiences available for them to choose from. For example, children enjoy an African themed fabric printing activity, which they then sew and make into lovely wall hangings as they learn about various foreign countries. The indoor and outdoor environment is well organised and children can access resources easily. Practitioners communicate well and obtain clear information from school teachers about the focus of children's learning and development. This means they obtain a clear picture of each child's capabilities to complement the learning that children achieve at school. For example, the club's very effective buddy system supports children who are learning to read. Children are happy and settled because practitioners skilfully interact

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who attend. This is good

with them. They value children's contributions; therefore, children of all ages enjoy themselves at the club and make good progress.

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requires improvement

The children enjoy close supportive relationships with practitioners, who praise them and build their self-esteem. As a result, children are confident and self-motivated. There is an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, where practitioners calmly communicate their expectations. Therefore, children's behaviour is good. Children's good health is supported, as they are provided with a variety of healthy snack choices after school, and breakfast in the morning, which prepares them well for their learning in school. Although practitioners have a good understanding of safeguarding, and implement safe practices, the club's policies are not always comprehensive enough to ensure children's safety. For example, the club's safeguarding policy does not include information regarding the safe use of mobile phones and cameras within the club.

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provision requires improvement

The safeguarding and welfare, and learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, are mostly understood by managers. However, the roles and responsibilities of managers are not fully understood. For example, although committee members have undergone criminal records checks, Ofsted has not been able to carry out its checks of their suitability. This is because the nominated person has failed to notify Ofsted of changes to committee members and the club manager. This is a breach of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. Self-evaluation is not used effectively to ensure all legal requirements are always met and to continually identify the club's achievements, or ongoing areas for future development. For example, the managers have failed to ensure that all policies are comprehensive and that required notifications are made to Ofsted. Effective systems for the supervision of practitioners working in the club

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provision requires improvement

ensure that their training and development needs are well met. As a result, they meet the needs of children well, by providing interesting and enjoyable learning experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY104005 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 869640 Type of provision Out of school provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 48 Number of children on roll 95 Name of provider Acorns Club Committee Date of previous inspection 19 November 2008 Telephone number 01706 213 756

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Setting details

Acorns Club was registered in 2002. It operates from and serves Helmshore Primary School. The club employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 to 4. The club opens, from 8am to 8.50am and 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday, term time only.

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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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