Clowning Around Ltd

Inspection of Clowning Around Ltd Ravenswood Youth Club, Ravenswood Road, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE6 5TU

p.1

This provision does not meet requirements

Despite weaknesses in safeguarding practice, children enjoy attending this before- and after-school club. They can choose from an extensive variety of activities inside. Older children rotate around the different rooms each week. This means that they can access a wider range of resources, such as games consoles and basketball hoops. Children also benefit from being able to access the neighbouring school's extensive outdoor space. This includes a range of climbing apparatus and sports facilities. Younger children thoroughly enjoy moving bikes and tricycles around the playground. They also practise their skills in gymnastics on mats, that the staff take outside.

p.2

This provision does not meet requirements

Children behave extremely well. They are polite and helpful. For example, they quickly help staff to gather up equipment outside when it suddenly starts to rain. Staff know the children and their families extremely well. There is a lovely atmosphere in the club as children and staff talk together, while they eat their snack. Children who are feeling tired after school or fall over in the playground, are well cared for and comforted. This helps children to feel secure, promoting their well-being.

p.2

need to do better?

n The daily operation of the club is very effective. Staff are used effectively to make sure children are appropriately supervised. Staff use walkie-talkies to communicate with each other, as the premises and outdoor space available are so large. Younger children wear high-visibility vests when outside. This helps staff to make sure these children can be identified easily. There is an extensive range of policies and procedures to support the smooth running of the club and children's safety. However, managers and staff have failed to follow these processes in a timely manner. This has resulted in delays in making changes to how some services are provided. This has compromised children's safety. n Children are collected from outside their classrooms at the end of the school day. Accurate registers help ensure that staff know who is attending the club each day. Club staff exchange relevant information with the teacher, if

p.2

need to do better?

appropriate. This is then passed on to parents when they collect children from the club. Children chat to the staff about their school day as they walk the short distance to the club building. n Children know the routine to follow on arrival. They hang up their own coats and bags, and wash their hands, before joining their friends to play. Younger children concentrate as they make colourful collages. Staff provide appropriate support to help children to use scissors to cut different materials carefully. Older children relax on the sofas to talk about their school day with their friends. Some

p.2

need to do better?

30 June 2022 prefer to watch television before they go outside to run around. n Children enjoy the snacks provided. They say that they sometimes have fresh fruit and vegetables. However, on the day of inspection, children were offered mainly sugary choices. Children say they are not asked about the type of food they would like to have at the club. They also reported they do not remember being asked their views on the types of activities available. Children told the inspector they would like to be consulted more often about the running of the club. n Parents are delighted with the service provided by the club staff. They appreciate the care the staff provide because they know all the children so well. Parents tell the inspector how much their children enjoy attending because there is so much for them to do. They welcome the fact that staff regularly buy new equipment, so that children do not get bored.

p.2

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Managers have all undertaken recent training to help them to understand their responsibilities as designated safeguarding leaders. Staff also attend appropriate training. All staff have a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms that might suggest a child is being abused. They can also describe the process to follow should they need to report a concern. However, managers and staff do not consistently follow the provision's policies and procedures in relation to keeping children safe. There are weaknesses in practice in relation to the reporting of incidents. Furthermore, delays in carrying out internal investigations have compromised the safety of children.

p.3

Due date

ensure all staff, including managers, act in a timely manner to report and investigate significant incidents to minimise risks to children 29/07/2022

p.3

Due date

ensure all staff attend appropriate safeguarding training and are fully aware of the policies and procedures of the provision in relation to keeping children safe. 29/07/2022

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY453151 Local authority Newcastle upon Tyne Inspection number 10245436 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 90 Number of children on roll 149 Name of registered person Clowning Around Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07903718362 Date of previous inspection 20 October 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Clowning Around Ltd registered in 2014. The setting employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including one with qualified teacher status. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 7.30am until 9am and from 3.15pm until 5.45pm.

p.4

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 The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n Children told the inspector about what they like to do when they are at the club. n The inspector spoke with the manager and the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the provision. n Parents shared their views of the provision with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the provision.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

30 June 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.

p.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6