Playclub Unlimited

Inspection of Playclub Unlimited St. Josephs RC Infant & Nursery School, Higginson Road, STOCKPORT, Cheshire SK5 6BG

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This provision does not meet requirements

Children's safety is not assured as staff do not follow risk assessments put in place to minimise the risk of harm to children. Leaders have not ensured that staff understand the procedure to follow if they have concerns about another member of staff. Furthermore, leaders have failed to ensure that staff with the required qualifications to look after early years children are present on site at all times. These breaches to the early years foundation stage requirements compromise children's safety and well-being.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Despite these weaknesses, children enjoy their time at the setting. They explore a wide range of resources and experiences that are available for them. Staff take their lead from the children to extend their play and give children opportunities to make their own decisions. Children behave well. Staff have set out clear expectations for the children and behaviour is well managed.

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need to do better?

n Leaders do not ensure that staff have a thorough knowledge and understanding of their role and responsibility to follow risk assessments. For example, the door to the kitchen is left open, allowing children access to enter this area where there is unsafe equipment. Despite there being a risk assessment in place, staff failed to follow this by making sure the door is closed to ensure the environment is safe for the children. This puts children at risk of harm. n Leaders fail to ensure that staff with the required qualifications are scheduled to be on site and present while early years children are in attendance. In addition, leaders do not ensure that there is always a qualified manager on site or named deputy, who is capable and qualified to take charge in the manager's absence. This further compromises children's safety. n Leaders do not ensure that staff training is effective and that staff fully

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need to do better?

understand the information they have received. For example, staff attend safeguarding training and are able to demonstrate some understanding of aspects of child protection. However, there are gaps in some areas of staff knowledge and understanding, such as the whistle-blowing policy. This has an impact on the safety and well-being of the children. n Children can freely access fresh drinking water. They have regular opportunities to access the outdoor area for fresh air. Staff provide healthy snacks for children and talk to them about healthy foods. However, good health is not consistently promoted. For example, children are not encouraged to wash their hands before mealtimes. This results in hygiene practices not being fully embedded. n Children behave extremely well. The setting has clear routines in place for children to follow. Children understand rules and play well with each other. If

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need to do better?

5 January 2023 conflict arises, staff support children to talk about their differences and come to a resolution. This promotes respect for others. n Children develop secure bonds with the staff. They seek out staff throughout the day to help them with building a construction block village or to practise their mark-making skills. Staff are enthusiastic with children, which keeps them engaged in experiences and forms strong relationships. This helps children to feel secure. n Staff know the children well. They provide experiences based on children's interests. Children have a voice and can make choices and decisions about what they do at the setting. For example, children enjoyed making paper aeroplanes, so this activity was repeated and turned into a competition that all the children were able to join in with. This gives children a strong sense of belonging. n The setting has strong working relationships with the local schools. They have

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need to do better?

found out about teaching methods, such as handwriting styles from each school. This enables them to complement children's learning in accordance with the school they attend while at the setting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Weaknesses in risk assessments and staffing arrangements put children at risk of harm. Staff are not clear on the setting's policies and procedures that they need to follow if they are concerned about another member of staff and need to whistle- blow. This has an impact on the safety and well-being of the children. However, staff do demonstrate an understanding of the potential signs and symptoms of child abuse and the correct procedure for reporting any concerns about the welfare of children. Staff have completed paediatric first-aid training and are clear on procedures to follow if a child has an accident.

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Due date

take all reasonable steps to ensure children are not exposed to risks, and ensure that staff have a thorough knowledge and understanding of their role and responsibility with regard to risk assessments, so that the environment is always safe and secure 26/01/2023

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Due date

5 January 2023 ensure that there are always an adequate number of staff working with children who hold the required qualification, including the manager or named deputy 26/01/2023

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Due date

ensure that all staff have strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures and the correct process to follow in an event of an allegation against a member of staff. 26/01/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY435148 Local authority Stockport Inspection number 10267475 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 50 Number of children on roll 177

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Name of registered person

Julie Longman & Danielle Kelshaw Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01614325689 Date of previous inspection 26 February 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Playclub Unlimited registered in 2011. The club cares for children who attend the school and surrounding schools. The club is based on the school site of St. Josephs RC Infant & Nursery School but runs independently from the school. The club operates Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7am to 8.45am and 3pm to 6pm during term time and 8am to 5.30pm during school holidays. The club employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, one member of staff holds a recognised early years qualification and two staff hold recognised playworker qualifications.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued 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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The deputy manager completed a learning walk of all areas of the setting and discussed how it was set out. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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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

5 January 2023 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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