Middle Park After School Club and Holiday Playscheme

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision does not meet requirements The management team is not familiar with the requirements of the statutory framework for the early years. This has resulted in breaches of the statutory requirements, which may compromise children's safety. The provider fails to follow rigorous and robust safeguarding procedures.

This includes ensuring the initial and ongoing suitability of staff working at the setting and recording children's existing injuries. In addition, the practitioner responsible for safeguarding does not have the knowledge and skills required for the role.Although the inspection has identified breaches in legal requirements, children enjoy their tim...e at the setting.

Children show good relationships with staff and enthusiastically greet them on arrival at the club. They make choices from a variety of resources and demonstrate high levels of confidence as they happily engage in play with their friends. For example, children play with different types of construction toys, small-world play resources, drawing materials and a snooker table.

Staff support children at their chosen activities and supervise them closely. This helps to develop positive relationships between children and staff, and contributes to children's sense of feeling safe. Children are keen to take part in the stimulating activities staff provide.

They make shortbread which they later take home. Children say they particularly enjoy outside play and having their faces painted.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

The provider does not ensure that staff who take senior roles in the club are familiar with the requirements that they must comply with.

This has resulted in several breaches of requirements. Requirements to notify Ofsted of changes in people carrying out significant roles have not been followed.Staff engage with children well and are warm and caring.

They support children to enjoy their time at the club and to have fun. Outside, children engage in a game of football with staff joining in. They develop their physical skills as they confidently use the climbing equipment, closely supervised by the adults.

Children behave well. They listen to instructions and learn to follow the routines, as staff provide clear expectations. Staff provide appropriate reminders when needed to help guide children.

Children treat each other with respect and enjoy spending time together.There are strong links with the school next to where the club is based. Many of the staff also work at the school, which helps to provide continuity to those children who also attend the school.

Parents receive suitable information about the club. They receive a welcome pack with details about activities and what to provide in relation to these. Daily handovers help exchange information about children's needs between staff and parents.

Staff encourage children to be independent. Children use the toilet and wash their hands independently. They make choices about their play and are confident to ask for what they want and need.

For example, children discuss with adults what colour they should use to finish off their drawing.Staff have regular supervision meetings with the manager. They benefit from a wide range of online training opportunities.

All staff working at the setting have done so for many years and this gives the children consistency and a sense of security.At mealtimes, staff support children's health and well-being and encourage them to discuss and choose healthy food options. Staff remind children to help themselves to fruit as well as cereal for breakfast.

Children with specific dietary needs bring in alternative foods to eat.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.Weaknesses in the setting's safer recruitment and safeguarding procedures puts children's safety at risk.

References for staff are not recorded as part of a safer recruitment procedure. There are no systems in place to check staff's ongoing suitability to work with children. Some procedures listed in the setting's safeguarding policy, for example recording children's existing injuries, are not followed.

However, staff do know to report any safeguarding concerns to the club's designated safeguarding lead. They understand some indicators that would raise their concerns about children's welfare. Staff take some steps to help keep children safe.

For instance, risk assessments are completed, which cover the different areas of the premises and trips out to local areas of interest and play spaces.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

The provision is not meeting requirements and Ofsted intends to take enforcement action.

We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to: Due date ensure that the practitioner responsible for safeguarding completes training that is relevant for the role, knows how to follow child protection procedures and can give appropriate advice and support to staff, particularly regarding the recording of existing injuries to children 17/11/2023 complete effective vetting procedures to assess and ensure the initial and ongoing suitability of all staff 17/11/2023 ensure that required information about staff qualifications, identity checks and vetting is recorded, and available to those with a professional need to see it 17/11/2023 ensure that club leaders receive appropriate supervision and support so that they are effective in their role, implement policies and procedures correctly, and understand the club's registration requirements 17/11/2023 improve knowledge and understanding of the changes that must be notified to Ofsted and the required timescales.

17/11/2023

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