The Phoenix Centre

Inspection of The Phoenix Centre St.Marys Park, St.Marys Road, Prestwich M25 1GG

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This provision meets requirements

The procedure for collecting children from school is clear and practical. Children greet the out-of-school club staff cheerfully and everyone knows what to do. Following the well-established routine helps staff to keep children safe. For example, children line up in pairs, so that older children hold hands with younger ones. Then the group proceeds safely and sensibly along the route to the club.

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This provision meets requirements

Managers and staff create a lively, purposeful atmosphere. They encourage children to play freely within a structured environment. For example, children negotiate rules for role-play games. This involves them listening to each other's ideas and agreeing how to progress the game together. Children show that they feel secure.

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This provision meets requirements

Parents and carers are pleased with how the staff help new children to settle in at the club. They say that children enjoy the varied activities and like to bring home the things that they have made at the arts and crafts table. Staff involve children in making decisions. For example, children elect a 'pupil voice committee' that puts forward their ideas and views. This helps children to understand democracy and to undertake shared responsibility. Children become confident, well-behaved members of the busy club.

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need to do better?

n Managers' vision for the club is clear and they communicate their intentions to staff effectively. Managers and staff bring their individual personalities and experiences together to form a caring, motivated team. They work effectively to promote children's physical and emotional well-being. Children welcome the staff's friendly, supportive company. n Managers make sure that staff understand their responsibility to protect children from abuse and neglect. For example, staff meetings include discussions of safeguarding scenarios. This helps staff to feel ready to apply their knowledge in a timely way, if they feel that a child may be at risk of harm. Managers unfailingly follow well-established systems for vetting and inducting new staff. This helps to protect children's welfare. n Managers seek and welcome the views of parents and staff. Their evaluations and action planning help the team to continuously improve the club.

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need to do better?

n Managers update their assessments of risk in a responsive way. When they realised that the familiar school crossing patrol was no longer in place, managers revised and modified the route. This helped to ensure that staff and children travel to the club as safely as possible. n The pupil voice committee put forward children's suggestions for snack time

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need to do better?

23 January 2024 food. Staff worked with them to consider whether the ideas were in line with the club's healthy eating policy. This exercise helped children to learn the importance of eating a varied, balanced diet. Staff encourage children not to eat too much at snack time, because they will eat again later at home. Children, therefore, learn to eat enough but not too much. n Staff help to reinforce and extend children's learning. Children have fun playing snakes and ladders and this gives them practise in using numbers. Children take turns and this teaches them to follow rules. They experience winning and losing. This helps children to recognise and manage their emotions. Children work cooperatively to use interlocking bricks to construct a tall, intricate building. The project involves talk, imagination and teamwork. n Staff know how to playfully spark children's ideas. Children are delighted to discover a toddler-sized teddy bear seated at the snack table. They look after

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need to do better?

him and make sure that he has enough to eat. They involve him in their games. The introduction of the teddy bear promotes children's imagination and adds to their enjoyment. n Staff take turns to plan and offer daily art and craft activities. Children look forward to the opportunity to work quietly and thoughtfully. Staff provide sensitive guidance to help children to learn and develop new techniques. For example, children experiment with using forks to apply paint to paper. They discover the interesting effects and textures that this creates.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY221563 Local authority Bury Inspection number 10305433 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 80

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Name of registered person

Prestwich Methodist Youth Association Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 0161 7733674 Date of previous inspection 21 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The Phoenix Centre registered in 2003 and operates in Prestwich. The club employs 10 members of staff, four of whom hold qualifications at level 2 or level 3. The club opens all year round. Sessions are from 3.15pm until 6pm during term time, and from 8am until 6pm in school holidays.

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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 managers and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector spoke with managers about how the club is organised. They discussed how and why the activities are planned. n The inspector accompanied staff who were collecting children from school. n Children told the inspector what they like about the club. The inspector observed children's play and activities. n The inspector spoke with parents and read their written feedback. She took account of their views. n The inspector sampled and discussed some of the documents used in the club.

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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

23 January 2024 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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