Anston Park After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy, safe and well cared for in this club. The club is bright, welcoming, well organised and equipped with a wide variety of activities for children of all ages.

The manager and staff have developed a familiar routine so that children know what to expect and what is expected of them. They organise the club so that they can monitor all areas. As a result, children are confident, capable and comfortable.

They make choices and share their ideas in conversations with staff and other children. Staff value children in this club. They give children responsibilities and help them to develop their independence.
<...br/>Older children intuitively help younger children. Children's interactions are excellent and they are kind to each other. At snack time, older children help to pour drinks and to put things away.

Children have good manners and spontaneously say please and thank you.Staff know children well and have high expectations of each child. They give children opportunities to share their ideas and understanding.

Staff are responsive, playful and affectionate as they interact with children. Children enjoy coming to the club. They know, like and trust the manager and staff.

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

Staff promote healthy lifestyles with children, such as through food, activities and by encouraging positive behaviour. Children wash their hands before eating and sit together at snack time. Staff provide a selection of food for children to choose from and encourage children to make healthy choices.

Staff often sit with children as they eat so that they can model good behaviour and interact with them. Children show an interest in each other and staff. Children and staff enjoy being together.

Most days, children spend time playing outside. Children have access to a large, secure outdoor area, including a football pitch. Staff provide equipment, including scooters and balls, so that children can make choices about what they would like to play with.

The manager and staff carry out risk assessments of all areas and activities so that children are safe. Staff evaluate the club and reflect on their practice. They share information and ideas at weekly staff meetings.

The manager has developed a key-person system for children in the early years and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff have developed a quiet area that can be used if children feel overwhelmed.Children complete an 'All About Me' form when they start at the club.

Once a year, older children carry out a survey to find out what younger children like doing. Some staff also work in school as a lunchtime supervisor. This helps children to settle as they are familiar persons, who children know and trust.

The manager is energetic and participates in children's play, such as a craft activity with children as they make a hedgehog. She recognises that this is an opportunity to listen to children. Children discuss their ideas and narrate their artwork.

They talk about finding a hedgehog and remember that the manager took the hedgehog to a sanctuary.Staff develop excellent relationships with children and parents. Children know and like staff.

There is a strong sense of community within the club. Parents value the care that staff give to their children. They say that staff know their children well.

Parents speak glowingly of the club, the service and staff. They say that their children develop their social skills, language and communication and that they are part of the community. Parents comment that staff share information with them in daily conversations and that they are welcomed when they collect children.

They say that their children love the club and that staff help families and children.Children have access to electronic tablets with a selection of games. Older children help younger children to find words and to match pictures.

The manager works in collaboration with staff in school to ensure that children develop skills in using technology and are safe on social media and the internet.The club operates inside the school premises. The manager and the headteacher recognise the mutual benefit of working together.

This supports children's personal development, transitions to school, parent partnerships and the school community.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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