Acomb Out Of School Club 2 trading as The Playden

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive at the club eager to join in with the activities. They confidently chat with staff about their day and their current interests.

Children tell visitors to the club that they love coming and spending time with their friends.Children choose what they would like to do from a wide range of activities. They play with board games and take part in arts and crafts and imaginative role play.

Staff ensure children have the materials and tools they need to complete their chosen task. They encourage independence but are always close by to offer help if children need it. Children are engaged in their play and show enjoym...ent in what they are doing.

They smile and laugh with one another and staff.Overall, children behave well. Their opinions are valued.

Children are given responsibility for thinking of 'behaviour rules' for the club. Staff understand the need to remind children of the expectations of the club. For example, staff remind children to sit on chairs and not tables.

Staff know to talk to children to try and understand the cause of children's behaviour, and to help them express their feelings and emotions.

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

The key-person system is effective in ensuring all children are supported and settled in the club. Staff get to know the children and their families well so that they can meet their individual needs.

Staff work closely in partnership with parents, ensuring key information is shared. Staff know in great detail about children's individual needs, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.Staff provide good levels of supervision to help keep children safe.

They carefully monitor the numbers of children throughout the session. They show a good understanding of where children are playing as they move between the indoor and outdoor areas. Risk assessments are effective.

This helps staff to ensure the environment is suitable and that adults are deployed effectively to keep children safe.Children enjoy taking part in the wide range of outdoor activities on offer at the club. They can access the school playground throughout the session.

Staff join in enthusiastically with children as they use skipping ropes and play football. Children are keen to engage with staff and share the different rules they know about football. Staff encourage children to regularly drink water, which is available at all times.

Staff encourage children to share and take turns, for example through board games. Children are kind and sensitive to each other. Older children invite younger children into their games of bingo.

Staff help children to learn about fairness. For example, they support children to understand that they can enjoy games, even though they might not always win.Parents are very positive about the club.

They say one of the strengths is the excellent communication from staff. Parents say that when they collect their children, they are always informed about what they have enjoyed doing and what they have eaten. Parents comment that they would not hesitate to recommend the club to other parents.

The manager actively supports staff to access training, to extend and develop their knowledge and skills. However, although practice is strong, some routines need to be more closely monitored to identify where staff need further support and guidance. This is particularly evident around mealtimes, as they are not organised as well as possible.

For example, at times, some children move around and play while they are still eating.Effective communication takes place between staff at the club and the host school. Staff find out about topics children are covering in class, so they can plan further activities at the club.

Staff ensure any messages from school are passed on to parents when they collect their children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.All staff have a good understanding of their responsibility to safeguard children, which includes whistle-blowing.

They recognise the signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk from harm or abuse. Staff receive regular safeguarding training, including the 'Prevent' duty. They know the procedures to follow if they have any concerns regarding a child's welfare.

The management team has robust recruitment procedures in place and completes ongoing checks to ensure the suitability of staff. Staff supervise children closely and encourage them to extend their skills safely, with awareness of others. For example, children play safely on climbing equipment.

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