Caterpillar Out of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and excited as they arrive at the club. They are warmly welcomed by staff, who greet them with a smile. Children chat to staff about how their school day has gone.

Staff listen intently to children, showing interest and asking meaningful questions. For example, staff ask who has volunteered to be on the rota for caring for the hens, recently acquired by the school. Staff work hard to ensure that there is a clear distinction for children between their day at school and the time that they spend at the club.

Children safely engage in activities that are freely available to them. Children behave very well in... the safe and secure environment. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour.

Children are gently reminded of the impact that their actions may have on others. Staff work hard to make sure that children feel valued and respected. They involve the children when deciding appropriate rules for the club.

For example, children have recently agreed rules relating to mealtimes to make sure that it is a positive experience for everyone. Children show immense respect and kindness to one another and to the staff. Staff encourage children to use sign language to ensure that children who struggle to communicate verbally are included in their play.

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

Staff know children in their care very well. They understand and support children's differing needs and requirements. For example, if children need extra support due to identified additional needs, or after a difficult day at school, staff provide this effectively.

This helps to support the high levels of emotional security shown by all children.Staff have developed effective partnerships with all three schools that the club serves. They find out what children have learned and enjoyed during their day at school and consider how this can be complemented at the club.

Staff speak to parents daily about their children's achievements and the activities they have enjoyed. Parents comment extremely positively about their children's experiences at the club. They say that staff are 'wonderful' and that their children often choose to attend the club rather than return home at the end of the school day.

On occasions, parents struggle to get their children to leave and end up staying and having tea with them.Staff offer children challenging activities. Children are curious about new experiences.

They show high levels of concentration and engagement for long periods of time. For example, staff set children a task of making a vehicle that can be moved by the wind from a range of available resources. A fan is provided to act as the wind.

Children work tirelessly to develop a variety of different models. The encouragement and praise offered by staff helps children to persist in the task until they achieve success.Children have lots of opportunities to develop an awareness of healthy lifestyles.

They benefit from a range of healthy food and drinks. Staff know that children are hungry after school. Children are offered a small snack as soon as they arrive.

This is followed later by a more substantial tea. Children serve their own food and pour their own drinks. They have lots of opportunities to be physically active in the school playground.

Children listen and respond well to instructions from staff. They willingly help clear away the toys and sweep the floor in readiness for their tea. However, on occasions, the current procedure for deciding the tables that children sit at results in some children feeling left out.

Children have opportunities to enjoy large group activities where they can sing together and play team games. Older children support their younger peers. Children from the three different schools form close friendships with each other.

The manager ensures that children, staff and parents have opportunities to contribute towards developing the quality of the club even further. Staff benefit from regular one-to-one supervision meetings. They are encouraged to make the most of opportunities to extend and enhance their professional knowledge and skills.

For example, staff are currently being offered opportunities to develop their knowledge of supporting children in the natural environment.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff know their responsibilities to ensure that children are kept safe at all times.

They regularly participate in child protection training and know where to report any concerns about children's safety or welfare to. They are aware of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk from harm or from extreme views or ideas. Staff supervise children very well.

They ensure that children are always within sight of them. A robust procedure is in place for collecting children from the two feeder schools, in addition to the host school. Regular and thorough checks to the premises and resources help to minimise potential hazards for children.

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