Skylarks

Skylarks Bridewell Lane, BURY ST. EDMUNDS, Suffolk, IP33 1RE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 February 2017 27 October 2016

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The provider has failed to ensure that the suitability process has been completed on all committee members in a timely manner.  A record of children's hours of attendance is not accurately maintained.  A fully effective key-person system is not in place. Children new to the club are not always allocated a named member of staff to provide them with support, particularly to help them become more confident around the older children.

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It has the following strengths

 Since the last inspection, the manager has ensured that all staff have improved their knowledge of how to identify children who may be at risk of being exposed to different views about right and wrong.  Children are provided with a stimulating range of activities which captures their interest and promotes their curiosity and imaginations.  Children are learning to play together and take account of each other's feelings. Staff are good role models and provide children with consistent guidance about the expected rules for behaviour in the club.

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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

 improve knowledge and understanding of the process to follow to check the suitability of committee members 15/03/2017

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Due Date

 maintain a daily record of children's hours of attendance 15/03/2017  improve the key-person system to ensure each child is provided with a named member of staff to build a close relationship with their parents while helping new children become more familiar with the club. 15/03/2017

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the activities indoors and outdoors and the interactions between staff and children.  The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff and committee members.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The arrangements for safeguarding are ineffective. The provider lacks understanding of how to complete required procedures in a timely manner to enable Ofsted to make a decision about committee members' suitability. Despite this, staff understand the action to take to protect children and keep them safe from harm. Appropriate procedures are followed to ensure staff are safe and suitable to care for children. A register of children's attendance is completed. However, this does not record the time of arrival for children attending the breakfast club. The manager provides staff with individual support, including supervision meetings to help them continue to improve their practice. They have opportunities to attend relevant training to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. Staff supervise children during arrival and departure times to ensure they are safe and only leave with an authorised adult. Self-evaluation takes account of the views of parents

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

and children to help develop the club and extend their experiences.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are well deployed to support children's play and enjoyment. Their playful interactions encourage children to share their ideas and help them develop their own ways of doing things. Children are eager to take part in an engaging range of creative activities that enables them to experiment and explore their own ideas. They enjoy spending time with staff in the book corner, laughing together while they share their favourite stories. Staff are careful to include younger children in discussions about the books. Children develop skills for the future. They have good opportunities to learn how to use tools, such as hammers and saws, during woodwork activities. They listen carefully to safety rules and follow instructions, such as where to place their hands to avoid any injuries while cutting the wood. Children attending the after-school club are collected from their classrooms. This gives staff an opportunity to talk to the class teachers about the children's day.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Parents of children attending the holiday club are provided with a list of planned activities and outings based upon their interests and ideas. For example, children enjoy regular outings to nearby historic gardens or go to the cinema.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Weaknesses in leadership and management have a negative impact on children's well- being. In addition, children new to the club do not always benefit from having a named key person to help them quickly develop self-confidence. This also means that new parents do not have an effective point of contact to share information with about their child's care. Children have plenty of opportunity for physical exercise in the fresh air. They enjoy playing on a good range of age-appropriate bicycles and scooters. They skilfully manoeuvre their chosen vehicle around the playground while following the club rules about sharing and taking turns. Children follow appropriate health and hygiene routines using suitable facilities. They take part in various activities to promote their understanding of the diversity of the world outside their immediate experience.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251631 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 1078106 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 - 13 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 149 Name of registered person Skylarks Breakfast, After School & Holiday Club Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 27 October 2016 Telephone number 07958 179 588

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reference number

Skylarks was registered in 1998. It operates within Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary School. The club employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The club opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Session times are from 8am to 8.45am and from 3.15pm to 6pm, term time. A holiday club operates from 8.30am to 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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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