AJ's Out Of School Childcare

Inspection of AJ's Out Of School Childcare St James' Church, Blackburn Road, Turton, Bolton BL7 0PL

p.1

This provision does not meet requirements

Children are being cared for by staff who do not fully understand the procedures to safeguard children and whose suitability to work with children has not been checked. This does not ensure children's safety. Despite this, children are happy and settled. Children learn how to keep themselves and others safe at the club. They readily look forward to spending time with their peers and staff. Children excitedly discuss what they will play with and eagerly anticipate what hot meal they will enjoy as they arrive from school.

p.2

This provision does not meet requirements

Children behave very well. They are kind, thoughtful and polite. Older children are particularly helpful towards younger children. They take on a nurturing role and enjoy helping staff with some appropriate tasks. Staff have strong bonds with children. This is reflected in children's behaviour. Children comment that they can 'trust' staff will listen to them when they feel upset or worried. Children particularly enjoy playing outdoors. They organise group games such as 'hide and seek' and chasing games. Their excitement only builds when staff wholeheartedly join in with their play. Younger children giggle as they duck behind trees, while older children are good natured as they pretend not to spot their hiding places.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider does not implement safeguarding procedures effectively, particularly in regard to safer recruitment. She relies on her own personal experiences with staff rather than authenticating their suitability. The provider has not seen enhanced criminal record checks for all members of staff or confirmed that staff remain suitable. She has not verified all staff qualifications, nor has she collected references for all staff. As a result, she is unaware of the suitability of her staff to care for children. n The provider has not ensured children's hours of attendance are documented. This means that in the event of an emergency, staff do not have an accurate record of which children are present and which have gone home. n The provider and staff do not have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. Staff do not know what steps to take should the provider fail to report safeguarding concerns. The provider, as designated safeguarding lead,

p.2

need to do better?

does not have the knowledge to fulfil her role in guiding others. For example, if staff raise concerns about another member of staff, the provider does not know the procedures she must follow. This does not support children's safety and well-being as staff do not fully understand how to help keep children safe. n The provider is passionate about supporting children to make healthy choices. For example, she encourages children to engage with a lot of physical play outdoors. Additionally, she provides daily hot, nutritious meals for all children, to

p.2

need to do better?

10 June 2021 help support their good health. Children very much look forward to these meals. They eagerly mark their places at the dinner table and rush to the chalk board to check the menu when they arrive. n Children feel very connected to the staff at the club. They look forward to sharing stories about their days with them. Children describe the provider as 'amazing'. They feel confident to confide in her should they feel sad. Parents also value the provider and her staff. They particularly appreciate the links between the club and the local primary school, which they feel helps to provide consistency for their children. n Some aspects of staff supervision are good. The provider sits down with staff regularly to discuss their strengths and areas for improvement. Staff engage well with these meetings and use the time to reflect and identify areas for growth. Staff feel very supported and report that they are happy and appreciated within

p.2

need to do better?

their roles. n Children feel motivated when they know they can win an 'AJ's award'. They enjoy the good natured competition as they compare how many awards they have won. Children support one another well. They show support for their peers when they win the daily prize, even though this means they have not.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The provider has not taken adequate steps to ensure the suitability of staff working with children. This leaves children vulnerable. In addition to this, the designated safeguarding lead does not have sufficient knowledge to fulfil her role. Staff have a reasonable understanding of the signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is being abused or neglected. Staff risk assess the physical environment well, particularly when children use the expansive outdoor play area. However, they do not effectively document the daily attendance of children. This is a legal requirement in order to help promote children's safety.

p.3

Due date

keep a daily record of children being cared for and their hours of attendance in order to help promote children's safety 14/06/2021

p.3

Due date

ensure appropriate checks are completed for all staff members in order to ascertain their suitability to work with children 21/06/2021

p.3

Due date

10 June 2021 ensure the safer recruitment policy and safeguarding policies are implemented effectively in order to help protect children from possible harm 21/06/2021

p.3

Due date

ensure all staff have a suitable understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities, including an understanding of the procedures to follow should they have concerns about another member of staff 21/06/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure the designated safeguarding lead has adequate knowledge to lead and guide others, including the processes to follow should an allegation be made against a member of staff. 21/06/2021

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY555503 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10174856 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person AJ's Out Of School Care Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01204856729 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

AJ's Out Of School Childcare registered in 2018. The club employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, two members have an appropriate early years qualification at level 3, one has an appropriate early years qualification at level 2 and one member is unqualified. The club opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 8.40am and 3.45pm until 6pm during term time and 8am until 6pm during school holidays.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The provider took the inspector on a tour of the setting and held leadership and management discussions with the inspector throughout the afternoon. n The inspector observed both indoors and outdoors in order to evaluate children's experiences at the club. n Staff, parents and children all shared their feedback about the club and the provider, which the inspector took into account. n Relevant documentation was scrutinised, including any documents collected to ascertain the suitability of staff, first-aid certificates and other training certificates.

p.6

Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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.6

Inspection activities

10 June 2021 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

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.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7