Alpha Breakfast / Afterschool Club@ Eltham Cofe School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children at this club build warm relationships with their friends and with staff. New children form friendships and quickly settle into club routines. Children are safely collected from their classrooms by staff.

At times, the school's busy corridors are difficult for the youngest children to navigate as they make their way to the club's hall. Children benefit from consistently positive interactions during their time at the club. They are eager to take part in outdoor games after the school day.

Children of all ages, including those who attend a nearby school, play together well. They role play with their friends and enjoy... the creative activities that are on offer daily. They enjoy listening to stories that their friends read to them.

Older children hold the hands of their younger friends. They walk around the hall and decide what to do together. Children behave well.

They are encouraged to share ideas and make suggestions about activities. Staff support children to read the information board to find out what activities are on offer today or the tea time menu. Children show independence with their personal care and at tea time.

They demonstrate that they have a good time at the club.

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

Staff involve children in decisions about weekly activities. This helps them to build on what children learn at school in fun ways.

For example, children use literacy and mathematics as they play. They write numbers on small pieces of paper to create pretend money. They pull this money from handbags and confidently offer '20 pounds'.

Children have very good opportunities to develop friendships and build positive social skills. This is demonstrated as they seek out staff to show off their creations and interact with unfamiliar adults. Staff are effective key persons.

They offer children reassurance, encouragement and support. Children's emotional well-being is well supported.Staff give children opportunities to build their independence, for example when they put on coats to play outdoors or carry full plates to tables at tea time.

Children show that they know what is expected of them. For example, they ask permission to leave the hall in order to use the nearby toilets.Staff help children to understand what to do during busy collection times, such as standing against the wall as they wait for their friends to leave classrooms.

Staff intervene appropriately to keep children safe as they walk through the school. For instance, they ask school children to wait until those on their way to the club have passed through corridors.Staff communicate effectively with parents and school staff.

They gather important information about children's individual needs. This helps them to recognise potential risks to children's health or emotional well-being.Accidents are dealt with well.

First aiders respond promptly when necessary, and information is shared with parents on collection.Managers implement security and safety protocols effectively. They deploy staff so that children are supervised at all times and remind parents to sign the register when they collect their child.

Very occasionally, school staff enter the hall where children play. Staff are vigilant and this does not disrupt activities. Staff understand the procedures to follow if someone they have not met before arrives to collect a child.

Staff receive good support from the start. They complete induction and mandatory training to improve their personal effectiveness. Generally, the club's managers are clear about their roles and responsibilities.

Although they have both completed safeguarding training for designated persons, they alert senior managers if concerned about a child's welfare. This is done promptly to ensure appropriate action is taken.Children enjoy playing active games with staff outdoors.

Staff motivate children to join in and exercise in fresh air and engage them well. Children persist at more challenging activities, such as skipping. They demonstrate good coordination and control as they move their bodies.

Parents express high levels of satisfaction with the club. They say that their children settle well and enjoy the activities on offer. Parents appreciate the care shown to children by the club's stable staff team.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Managers implement procedures effectively to help keep children safe and secure. Staff are clear about the potential risks posed to children, including from exposure to extreme views or the use of technology.

Managers in the club refer concerns to senior leaders, and understand when and how to take action if worried about a child's welfare, or the behaviour of a colleague. They receive effective safeguarding support and advice. Managers liaise well with school staff to help ensure children's health and welfare needs are met.

They maintain accurate records for school collection, and children's arrival and departure. Staff deal with accidents effectively and correctly follow procedures for administration of medication. There are arrangements to check the ongoing suitability of staff.

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