ACA The Activity Club

ACA The Activity Club Little Waltham C of E Primary School, The Street, Little Waltham, CHELMSFORD, CM3 3NY

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 November 2016 Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The provider works very closely with the manager to create a safe, inclusive and fun environment where children can play, relax and socialise with their friends.  The well established key-person system helps children to form strong, trusting relationships with the staff. These help them to feel safe and secure and they have a strong sense of belonging.  Staff develop strong partnerships with feeder schools. They receive valuable support and advice from the headteacher of the host school and liaise with the school staff on a daily basis. Children are safely escorted to and from their respective schools.  Children make good use of the school's extensive landscaped fields, well designed outdoor space and play equipment. This keeps them fit and active on a daily basis.  Excellent partnerships are forged with parents, encouraging valuable exchange of information about their children and helping ensure continuity of care and education.

p.1

This provision is good

Parents receive detailed feedback about their children's welfare and are appreciative of the service provided.  The manager and her staff team are committed to developing the club even further. They use self-evaluation and reflective practice effectively to identify areas for improvement. They take account of the views of parents and children.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The arrangements for staff supervision are not yet effective in targeting and tailoring training and support, to help staff raise their practice to the highest level.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen the arrangements for staff supervision so that training and support are targeted to help staff raise their practice to the highest level.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the areas of the premises used by the children.  The inspector observed activities in the different rooms and the outdoor area.  The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the club's manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the club's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club.  The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager is highly qualified and experienced and has high expectations of her staff. She encourages them to make good use of training opportunities in order to improve their knowledge and skills. She is currently supporting one member of staff who is working towards a level 3 childcare qualification. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Children are well safeguarded as staff have a good understanding of child protection procedures. Staff have completed specialist training to make sure they understand how to support vulnerable families. This helps them to identify any children who may be at risk of harm from extreme behaviours and views. Suitability checks are carried out on all adults who work with the children to ensure that children's welfare is prioritised. There are effective arrangements in place to monitor children's attendance.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff follow children's interests when planning activities and are at hand to facilitate their play. Children's interests are supported well, as they enjoy a wide variety of creative activities, observe seasonal changes and hunt for bugs. They make good use of resources and equipment available to them. Staff are skilled in promoting children's language and communication skills. They engage in meaningful conversation with the children as they talk about the school day and other interests. Staff support children with completing their homework as and when required. Younger children are well supported with reading and are encouraged to use and apply their knowledge of letter sounds to help them read unfamiliar words. Children thoroughly enjoy making their own pizzas for tea and make choices from a wide selection of their favourite toppings.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are eager to attend and thoroughly enjoy their time at the club. They are settled and confidently participate in various fun activities of their choice. Older children act as buddies for the younger children. This helps them to settle in quickly. Children are provided with a healthy snack of fresh fruit and they freely access drinking water. Children play an active role in decision making and contribute to the planning of activities. Children come from a variety of backgrounds and are encouraged to talk about their beliefs and celebrations. They learn to celebrate each other's differences and participate in cultural related activities. Children explore light festivals, make clay diva lamps for Diwali, and do fireworks paintings. Children are taught how to deal with bullying, to stay safe on the internet and to use equipment safely, preparing them well for life outside of school. Staff have high expectations of behaviour, so children are particularly well behaved. They are

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

encouraged to find resolutions to conflicts by themselves. Children are independent, confident and develop good social skills. They share, patiently wait their turn and play well together.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY480825 Local authority Essex Inspection number 995738 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 - 11 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 52 Name of registered person The Allstar Community Academy Ltd

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01245 607053

p.4

reference number

ACA The Activity Club was registered in 2014. It is one of two out-of-school clubs run and managed by The Allstar Community Academy. The club employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6 including one with early years professional status. The club opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 7.30am to 8.45am and from 3.15pm until 6pm.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

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

p.5