Blue Bears Playscheme

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive at the club excited to see the activities staff have set up for them. They are greeted warmly by staff at the start of the day. Children show that they are confident, settled and independent.

They quickly choose their own play and concentrate on completing their tasks. For instance, children set and tidy away after playing a variety of complex board games with their friends. Children have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

They follow instructions from staff very well. Children know that when using equipment to aim foam bullets at a target board, they must immediately stop talking, stand b...ehind a line and wait for their turn. This supports children to have fun and be safe while playing.

Children are eager to join in with the motivating play experiences that staff carefully plan for their interests. For example, staff understand that some children like to sit quietly and concentrate on their chosen activity, while others really enjoy lively conversations. Children make choices from a large selection of resources available to them at the club.

For instance, children enjoy imaginative role play, or playing with foam darts. While other children happily sit with staff and colour pictures they have drawn.

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

The management team and staff work well together.

The manager and her deputy are aware of the pressures on staff in their home life and at work. Arrangements are in place to support staff's well-being. Training is provided for staff with regard to first aid and safeguarding.

Additional training is also sought for staff who show an interest in a particular area, such as working with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff's performance is effectively monitored, and staff new to the team receive a tailored induction package that is reflective of their age and previous experiences.Staff working directly with the children understand their individual needs and personalities.

Staff respect children and are good role models. Children with SEND receive the support they need to be fully engaged in all aspects of the club. Activities are adapted successfully to ensure all children can fully participate.

Children are well behaved and feel valued.Children benefit from daily opportunities to be active and gain exercise. Children have lots of fun bouncing on large space hoppers, kicking footballs or playing tennis and volley ball.

Children express their enjoyment as staff join in their play with enthusiasm. In addition, during the holidays, children have opportunities to take part in exciting activities in the local area. For instance, they take trips to the cinema, mini golf and the local park.

Snack time is a relaxed and sociable occasion. Children decide when they want to eat and who they want to sit with. Children are supported to live a healthy lifestyle.

The food on offer is healthy and nutritious. They follow robust hygiene practices. Children know that they need to wash their hands regularly to kill germs and prevent the spread of viruses.

Staff support children's communication and language skills. They interact well with children, make good eye contact and get down to their level. Staff engage children in conversations, narrate their play and ask open-ended questions to support their thinking skills.

Children talk with confidence to visitors to the club.Children incorporate the knowledge and skills they have developed at school into the activities at the club. Staff in the out-of-school club discuss current interests and topics children are learning with their main education provider, such as the school's reception teachers.

Staff complement and mirror the children's learning in school through the activities they provide.Partnerships with parents are effective. Parents report very positively about how much their children enjoy attending the club.

They are confident that the children are safe and secure. Regular newsletters and daily discussions ensure that parents are kept well informed of activities within the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders and staff understand their responsibilities to keep children safe. They carry out daily risk assessments of all areas used by the children and are qualified in paediatric first aid to ensure children's safety is paramount. Staff have a clear understanding of signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm.

They are mindful of all aspects of safeguarding, including 'Prevent' duty and exploitation. Leaders and staff are confident with the club's policies and procedures in relation to making referrals, dealing with allegations and whistle-blowing. The club has a safe recruitment procedure in place to check the suitability of new staff and the ongoing suitability of existing staff.

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