Springfield Project Playscheme

Inspection of Springfield Project Playscheme Springfield Centre, Springfield Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 9NY

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This provision does not meet requirements

Children's safety is not assured because of weaknesses in leadership and management. Managers do not recognise when there are not enough staff outdoors to adequately supervise children and keep them safe. They do not respond by deploying more staff to the garden area when children come indoors to tell them they are hurt and that there is nobody available to tell. This is because staff prioritise completing housekeeping tasks, which compromises children's safety. Furthermore, some staff do not receive induction training to ensure they understand safeguarding policies and procedures. Not all staff are aware of the setting's mobile phone procedure. As a result, some staff have access to their mobile phones around children. This means children are not safeguarded.

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This provision does not meet requirements

That said, children arrive happily to the club. They settle down quickly into a group activity before going off to select what they would like to do. Children have a broad choice of activities available to them during their time at the club, and they are eager to participate in some of these. They enjoy using different coloured paints or pencils to create their own pictures. Children use scissors independently to cut out their work. They access a variety of construction materials and show perseverance as they search for particular sized and coloured blocks to complete their work.

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need to do better?

n The registered provider does not have enough involvement with the setting to ensure that there is effective oversight of the quality of provision. They have failed to ensure that the setting continues to meet all the requirements set out within the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. There are a significant number of breaches to these requirements, which means that children are not provided with care that keeps them safe and well. n The registered provider has failed to ensure that those in management positions have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to effectively manage the setting. Managers lack experience in the sector and do not receive the support they need to fulfil all aspects of their role and responsibilities. As a result, children's safety and well-being are compromised and managers are unable to ensure that they meet the needs of all children attending.

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need to do better?

n New staff do not always receive induction training to help them to understand the setting's policies and procedures, including those relating to safeguarding and the safe use of cameras and mobile phones. Managers have not yet put systems in place to provide staff with supervision opportunities. Consequently, weaknesses in practice are not being tackled swiftly enough to help staff to understand all aspects of their role and responsibilities. This also means that staff are not provided with opportunities for confidential discussions about any

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need to do better?

4 August 2022 issues they may have, including matters relating to children's safety and well- being. This impacts on the safeguarding of children. n Managers lack understanding about the role of the key person. They identify children's key person based on a child's age or any additional need they have. Managers do not give enough consideration to who children form attachments with. For some children, there is uncertainty about who the named key person is. This means that the role is not fulfilled effectively to provide children with a settled relationship and care that is tailored to meet their individual needs. In addition, information about the child's key person is not shared with parents to promote effective parent partnerships. n Although managers request and obtain information about children from parents, they do not make use of this. Managers do not know whether children attending have any additional needs or involvement with other agencies. This means that

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need to do better?

staff and managers do not know children well enough to ensure they are able to meet their individual needs. n Staff provide children with food and drink during their time at the setting. However, food provided to children is unhealthy and does not meet children's nutritional needs. For example, children participate in decorating cakes and biscuits with lots of sugary sweets and icing, which they then proceed to eat. At lunchtime, children are served processed food, such as fish fingers and chips. This means that children's good health is not fully promoted. n Children understand staff's expectations for their behaviour. They enthusiastically play games of pool and table tennis. Children take turns to use the equipment and invite others to join in with their game. Some children have formed friendships during their time at the setting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Children are not safeguarded because, on occasions, there are not enough staff deployed to supervise children to ensure they are safe. During these times, some children sustain minor injuries and children's safety is not assured. Staff do not understand and follow the setting's mobile phone procedure. That said, staff receive training to help them understand different safeguarding issues. They are alert to signs that could indicate a child is at risk of harm and know how to report concerns to other agencies. Staff understand whistle-blowing procedures and what to do if they have concerns about the conduct of another member of staff. Managers follow appropriate processes when recruiting new staff to assess their suitability to work with children.

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Due date

ensure that there is effective governance and oversight from the provider to improve the quality of the provision and keep children safe and well 22/08/2022

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Due date

implement effective recruitment systems to ensure that managers are suitable and confident to fulfil all aspects of their role and responsibilities 22/08/2022

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Due date

implement an effective policy and procedure for the safe use of mobile phones in order to safeguard children 22/08/2022

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Due date

improve the deployment of staff to ensure that children are adequately supervised at all times to keep them safe and meet their needs 22/08/2022

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Due date

ensure that information obtained from parents is used effectively to safeguard children and meet their individual needs 22/08/2022

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Due date

improve the key-person system to promote a settled relationship for the child, build a relationship with their parents and provide tailored care that meets every child's individual needs 22/08/2022

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Due date

ensure that all staff receive induction training to help them understand and fulfil their role and responsibilities 22/08/2022

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Due date

ensure that all staff receive effective supervision which provides coaching, support and training to improve their personal effectiveness and opportunities for staff to discuss any issues, particular concerning the safeguarding and well- being of children 22/08/2022

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Due date

ensure that children are provided with meals and snacks that are healthy, balanced and nutritious to promote their good health. 22/08/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2545734 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10215548 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 56 Name of registered person The Springfield Project

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reference number

Telephone number 01217772722 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Springfield Project Playscheme registered in 2019. It is in Moseley, Birmingham. The playscheme operates during school holidays only. Sessions are Monday to Friday from 12pm until 4pm. There are seven members of staff employed. Of these, three hold qualifications at level 3.

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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 manager showed the inspector around the premises used by the playscheme. n Parents and children spoke to the inspector and gave their views of the playscheme. n The inspector observed children playing indoors and outdoors and considered the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector held a meeting with the management team and looked at relevant documentation and evidence of staff suitability.

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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

4 August 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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