Colwich Youth & Community Centre

Inspection of Colwich Youth & Community Centre Main Road, Colwich, STAFFORD ST17 0XD

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This provision does not meet requirements

Staff's safeguarding knowledge is not robust enough. For example, some staff do not know how to recognise the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of extremism or female genital mutilation. This compromises children's safety and welfare. Furthermore, leaders do not fully understand their responsibilities to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. As a result, children's safety cannot be assured.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Despite this, children in early years display positive attitudes towards their play. They engage well in their chosen activities. For example, they enjoy playing with small-world toys, which reflect people from diverse backgrounds, and they talk about the different jobs people do. For example, a small-world figure of a dentist prompts children to discuss oral health. This builds positive relationships between staff and children as they engage in conversation. Additionally, children make good friendships with their older peers. For instance, they play cooperatively together as they 'chalk' on the same chalkboard.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Staff encourage children to be increasingly independent. For example, children order their choice of food, butter their own crackers, and pour their own water. Children demonstrate good behaviours. They benefit from a wealth of opportunities to develop their creative skills. For example, they enjoy painting old jigsaw pieces to make a Valentine's Day heart. Staff encourage children to lead their own ideas. For instance, when children ask to paint their heart blue, staff help them to find their desired colour. This positively contributes towards their happiness.

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need to do better?

n Leaders fail to obtain the required suitability checks for some staff who work with children. This is because leaders do not fully understand the requirements when accepting suitability certificates that have been completed by another organisation. For example, new suitability checks have not been obtained when staff have had a break of more than three months in service. Furthermore, some Disclosure and Barring Service check certificates have not been shared effectively between organisations within three months of being obtained. This means staff suitability cannot be assured. n Although all staff have had safeguarding training, they do not know enough about the 'Prevent' duty guidance and female genital mutilation. This means staff cannot confidently recognise if a child is exposed to risk. n Staff involve children in the planning of activities and routines. For example, they display ideas for activities that link to current topics and events. This

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need to do better?

encourages children to make independent choices about what they want to do.

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need to do better?

7 February 2023 Additionally, children look through old activity books to recap ideas for their play. n Some children who attend the before- and after-school club also attend the setting's holiday club. Therefore, the manager has procedures in place to ensure information sharing between key persons is effective. This helps to promote continuity in children's care. n Early years children who attend another setting during the school day benefit from strong communication between key persons. For example, a 'communication book' is used to encourage a two-way flow of information. Staff actively find out about children's experiences during the day. This helps them to promote consistency in children's care, which further complements their learning. n Parents value the communication they receive, which keeps them well informed about their children's time at the club. For example, they receive updates via emails, and 'notices' are placed on the main door. Parents comment that

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need to do better?

'activities are exciting' and 'their children are happy'. n Staff support children to settle well. For example, they invite children into the club prior to their start date, and they distribute a detailed 'this is me' document to parents. This helps staff to get to know children and meet their needs. n Staff attend regular supervision meetings to discuss improvements, and they have some opportunities to enhance their professional development. For example, staff have attended a mental health course to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate children need emotional support. As a result, staff mindfully plan more sensory activities and encourage children to use the 'quiet area' to further discuss their feelings. This positively promotes children's well-being. n The manager is aware of the areas she wishes to develop to help further improve the club. For example, she aims to strengthen partnerships with parents

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need to do better?

through regular questionnaires. This will help her to understand the views of parents, which in turn will further influence action plans.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Some staff are unaware of some safeguarding issues, such as 'Prevent' duty, and are unable to identify children who may be at risk of being drawn into radicalisation and extremism. In addition, not all staff are aware of female genital mutilation. However, staff demonstrate knowledge of some of the other signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk of neglect or abuse. Current vetting procedures do not ensure that those staff who work with children are suitable. This means that children's safety is not assured. However, staff are confident to whistle-blow should they have concerns about the conduct of a colleague. Staff know how to report concerns about a child's welfare.

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Due date

ensure all staff have a clear understanding of the 'Prevent' duty guidance and female genital mutilation 21/02/2023

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Due date

ensure the correct suitability checks are obtained for all staff who work with children. 19/02/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY242675 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10264893 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 40 Number of children on roll 0

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Name of registered person

The Colwich & The Haywoods Community Association Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07791 097913 Date of previous inspection 29 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Colwich Youth & Community Centre registered in 2002 and is located in Colwich, Staffordshire. The centre employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status, one holds an early years qualification at level 5, three hold level 3 and one holds level 2. The centre is open Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 7.30am until 9am and from 3.20pm until 6pm. It also opens during school holidays, from 8am until 5pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 and the inspector completed a tour and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children throughout the afternoon session. n The inspector held discussions with the term-time manager, holiday club manager, staff, and children at appropriate times during the inspection. The inspector considered the views of parents through discussion. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

7 February 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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