Helsby Link Club

Helsby Link Club Helsby Hillside School, Bates Lane, Helsby, WA6 9LN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 November 2016 23 June 2016

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Not applicable

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

 Staff do not do as much as they can to raise children's awareness of safe practices during outdoor play.  Staff do not give enough thought to making sure the environment meets the needs of children who wish to rest and relax.  Although some systems are in place to monitor and evaluate practice, these are not yet robust enough to help make sure the quality of provision is consistently good.

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It has the following strengths

 Since the last inspection, the manager has taken positive steps to address identified weaknesses. She has implemented a number of new procedures to improve children's health and welfare. Staff have a better understanding of their role and what is expected of them.  Children's behaviour is good and they play well together. They are confident to express their views and they know staff will listen to them.  Parents report that children are happy at the club and they get on well with the staff. Children say they like playing with their friends and they enjoy the snacks on offer.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 increase children's awareness of safe practices when they play outside and help them to understand the hazards associated with the electronic gate. 28/11/2016

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 review the environment to make sure it meets the needs of individual children, including those who wish to rest and relax  build on systems to rigorously monitor and evaluate practice in order to help raise quality and sustain high standards of provision for children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the range of activities available and assessed the quality of interactions between staff and children.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and looked at relevant documentation, such as the provider's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The manager and staff are keen to improve further. Some monitoring and evaluation takes place, but systems for managing staff performance and driving higher standards of provision are not yet fully secure. This means practice is improving steadily, but is not yet consistently good. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager has reviewed and updated a number of policies and procedures to safeguard children's welfare. She has joined an online organisation to access support and information and to keep up to date with changes. Staff know how to respond to any concerns about children's welfare. Online training has helped them to understand their duty to prevent children being drawn into situations which put that at risk of harm.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Children's play and learning experiences are improving. Staff have started to use weekly play plans to help them organise activities based on children's interests and suggestions. Children know they can request toys and games to play with from the open cupboards. However, the environment lacks any comfortable space for children who just want to rest and relax, for instance, to read a book. Staff use the new camera to take instant photographs of the children engaged in activities. They also keep brief notes about children's individual achievements to share with the Reception teacher and parents. Activities generally provide enough interest and challenge to keep children engaged. Staff support children at their chosen activity and offer help when needed. They have relaxed conversations with the children and engage them in friendly banter, which encourages their communication skills. Children are encouraged to make their own choices. They have

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

some opportunities to be creative, for instance, when they make their own pen holder. Staff form good links with the school. They take account of school themes, for instance, on anti-bullying to help support and complement children's learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Staff generally take suitable measures to promote children's safety when they play outside. For instance, they supervise children closely and explain boundaries for safe play. However, staff do not do as much as possible to teach children about all hazards. For example, staff do not set children a good example about keeping safe, as sometimes the electronic gate is briefly left open when children first go outside to play. The hall is organised with a suitable range of table-top activities and resources to keep children occupied. Children are cared for by familiar and well-qualified adults, several of whom have worked in the club for many years. This provides stability and reassurance for children and parents. All children attend the host school, which means they are at ease in their surroundings. Children enjoy playing outside in the dark using torches. They have started to wear high-visibility jackets during outdoor play so that staff can easily identify

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

where they are. Staff share information with parents about internet safety and how to keep children safe online. They recently issued a survey to gauge parents' views on how children have settled into the club.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY338901 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 1055742 Type of provision Out of school provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 4 - 12 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Marie Guinness

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 23 June 2016 Telephone number 01928 722155

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reference number

Helsby Link Club was registered in 2006. The club employs five members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate qualifications, including one at level 2 and four at level 3. The club opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 7.45am until 9am and from 3.15pm until 6pm.

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reference number

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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reference number

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

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