St James After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children and visitors receive a warm welcome at this happy after-school club. Children eagerly share what they have been doing during the school day with staff. Conversations between staff and children are warm and friendly.

Children share that staff are 'good, kind grown-ups' and, 'this is a club that gets everyone engaged and involved'. Staff actively seek the views of children and ensure they use this information to plan activities. For example, children write a list of things they want to do and place it on the wall.

Older children share how they choose what takes place during a session. For example, 'we participate in... lots of activities. We cook a lot, cheese muffins, pizzas, we made the dough and added toppings, whatever you want to do, you can do.'

Children demonstrate how happy and secure they feel within the club. Children have an abundance of opportunity to engage in physical activity. For example, older children play group games on the playground.

Children are highly engaged and motivated as they play together and develop their turn-taking skills. Older children cheer each other on. They listen closely to adults and support younger children during competitive play.

Behaviour is excellent. Children are kind, considerate and caring to one another.

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

The club is exceptionally well led.

The manager ensures staff appraisals take place regularly. She has a keen focus on the emotional well-being of staff. For example, she has recently completed a mental health first-aid course.

Following this, she reflected on the influences around the emotional well-being of staff. Staff have a 'staff shout out board'. This recognises good practice and celebrates their achievements.

The manager considers what training supports their ongoing skills and knowledge.Younger children learn about healthy practices. Children are independent throughout the session.

For example, they prepare the fresh fruit for their afternoon snack. They carefully cut up the fruit and share it out among their friends. Children remember to wash their hands before handling food and can explain why this is important.

Children develop their sense of responsibility as they clear away afterwards.Partnership with parents is very good. Parents are highly complimentary about the play experiences and quality of care children receive.

Parents comment how the setting offers a mix of structure, freedom to choose and ample opportunities to engage in physical play. They state that this meets the different needs of their children. The manager goes above and beyond to support parents.

For example, she offers parenting workshops and seeks parents' views in a variety of ways. Communication with parents is a strength.The host school and club work extremely well together.

Excellent communication between the two ensures children's continuity of care. Many of the staff work at the school as well as the club. This ensures staff have a good understanding of the type of day the children have had.

They can identify those children who may need a little more support at the end of the day. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good levels of support because of this. Staff support children's emotional well-being in this highly inclusive club.

Children behave very well. They explain that they have been learning about the value of 'responsibility'. Children explain how staff promote good behaviour.

For example, 'they ask you to think about your behaviour and make good choices'. Staff regularly discuss their high expectations with children. They encourage them to take responsibility for their actions.

Staff are good role models for children. They model good manners and respect.Staff respond to children's changing needs throughout the session.

They recognise that some children need time to relax at the end of the day. They offer children a yoga session. Children follow instructions, stretching their bodies and slowing their breathing.

Staff turn off the lights and create a calm environment.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager is confident about her duty of care to safeguard children.

She has an excellent understanding of the safeguarding requirements. The manager ensures staff receive ongoing training and know how to record and report any concerns. Staff know the signs and symptoms of abuse.

All staff understand the setting's whistle- blowing policy and the manager is clear about how she would manage any allegations against a member of her team. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they recently had a visit from a local police officer and police dog.

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