Amersham Afterschool & Breakfast Club

Inspection of Amersham Afterschool & Breakfast Club Amersham Town Football Club, School Lane, Amersham, Buckinghamshire HP7 0EJ

p.1

This provision does not meet requirements

The significant weaknesses in the setting compromise children's safety and well- being. The provider, who is also the manager, does not have a secure enough knowledge of the requirements. This does not ensure she meets children's needs to keep them safe. For example, she does not follow appropriate recruitment procedures for all staff to ascertain their suitability to work with children. This particularly relates to their health and use of medications. Additionally, weaknesses in the safeguarding knowledge of staff puts children at risk of harm. For instance, staff do not fully understand how to respond appropriately to concerns about children's welfare, or allegations against adults working with them.

p.2

This provision does not meet requirements

This is a busy and lively club. Children arrive happily from school, settle quickly and they greet staff and their friends warmly. They enjoy the range of activities on offer based on things that interest them. For example, they show excitement and enthusiasm to use the craft materials available to make swords and shields. This builds on topics such as 'The Romans' that children are finding out about in school. Overall, children play well together in mixed-aged groups. Most children behave appropriately and demonstrate good manners and respect for one another. However, at times, staff do not recognise the need for children to be physically active. As a result, their behaviour deteriorates which leads them to running around aimlessly and play fighting.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider does not have a clear overview of staff's safeguarding knowledge and understanding. Although some staff complete training, the provider does not check what they know. Some staff do not understand about wider safeguarding issues, such as how to recognise signs of radicalisation and extremism. Therefore, this does not fully protect children from the risk of harm. n The provider completes some checks on staff's suitability. However, she does not find out sufficient information about their health and any medicines they may take. Therefore, she cannot fully assess their suitability. Additionally, she does not ensure suitable risk assessments are in place for staff who have yet to obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Consequently, the provider cannot assure the safety and well-being of the children in her care. n Staff do not have regular opportunities to meet with the provider to discuss their

p.2

need to do better?

performance and any concerns they may have. Therefore, the provider is unable to clearly identify any gaps in their knowledge and understanding. As a result, staff do not receive the opportunities they need to support their professional development. This compromises children's well-being, as not all staff have the knowledge and skills to support them appropriately.

p.2

need to do better?

20 January 2022 n The provider does not ensure that staff are deployed effectively within the club to supervise children. This means that their needs are not always met. For example, staff leave inexperienced colleagues with large groups of children. As a result, they struggle to engage them and ensure they behave within expectations. Other staff use this time to complete tasks away from the children, such as cleaning and paperwork. n Some staff do not have the relevant skills and knowledge to implement the setting's behaviour management procedures effectively. They do not use effective strategies to deal with unwanted behaviour. Consequently, the children do not understand the behavioural expectations of the staff. This leads to staff raising their voices to gain children's attention. n Risk assessments are not fully effective. The provider and staff do not identify hazards to children's safety in the outdoor area. For instance, tools, large piles of

p.2

need to do better?

roof tiles and rotten wood are accessible in children's play areas. This puts children at risk. n The provider has not made the required notifications to Ofsted. This is in relation to significant events, such as positive COVID-19 cases and a change to those responsible for the running of the provision. This puts children's safety and welfare at risk. n Overall, staff support children to understand the importance of making healthy choices in relation to their diet. Children are able to choose a fruit snack and water on arrival from school. However, staff do not routinely offer children the opportunity to engage in physically active play. n Children are confident and happily communicate with staff and visitors, sharing information about their day at school. Children also say that they like attending the club and that their favourite things to do are modelling dough, making models from construction bricks and doing craft activities.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The gaps in staff's safeguarding knowledge do not protect children effectively. They are not able to recognise all the signs that a child may be at a risk of harm. Staff know that they must share any concerns about children or adults caring for them. However, staff do not understand who to share these concerns with, if they are unhappy with the action the provider takes. Additionally, ineffective risk assessments mean the outdoor area provided for children is not safe for their use. Staff do not routinely discuss with children the risks of being online. Therefore, children do not fully understand how to keep themselves safe, or know what to do if they are contacted inappropriately.

p.3

Due date

take immediate action to ensure all staff have a thorough and accurate understanding of all safeguarding issues, including how to respond to any child protection concerns and allegations against adults working with children in an appropriate manner 03/03/2022

p.4

Due date

implement a robust recruitment procedure for all staff, including obtaining appropriate information in relation to health and medications, to ensure those employed to work with children are suitable to do so 03/03/2022

p.4

Due date

implement effective processes for the supervision and monitoring of all staff to identify and address issues as they arise and provide coaching to improve staff's effectiveness and to maintain children's safety 03/03/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that children are adequately supervised and staff are effectively deployed at all times to meet children's needs and maintain their safety 03/03/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure staff have the skills and knowledge to implement the setting's behaviour management procedures, so that children's behaviour is consistently managed in an appropriate way 03/02/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure risk assessments are robust and all risks and hazards to children's safety are identified, removed, or minimised swiftly, particularly in relation to the outdoor area 03/03/2022

p.4

Due date

improve the provider's knowledge and understanding of the requirements in relation to notifications, particularly with regard to reporting significant events in a timely way. 03/03/2022

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2537059 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10220213 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.6

Registers

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

p.6

inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person Edwards Childcare Limited

p.6

reference number

Telephone number 07971 919758 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.6

Information about this early years setting

Amersham Afterschool & Breakfast Club registered in 2017. The club is located in Amersham, Buckinghamshire and provides a service for a number of local schools. The club operates weekdays from 7.30am until 9am for the breakfast club and from 3pm to 6pm for the after-school club during term time only. The provider employs five members of staff.

p.6

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The provider showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The provider explained how they decide what activities to provide for children. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the club. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working at the club.

p.7

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.

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Inspection activities

20 January 2022 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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