Charlton Wood Out Of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy their time at this welcoming, accessible, and inclusive club. They settle quickly and are eager to join their friends in activities.

New children are effectively supported by the attentive staff and through a buddy system, with older children supporting the younger ones. Staff are patient and caring and help less confident children, thoughtfully inviting them into activities and regularly checking on them. Parents comment very positively about the club.

They praise the friendliness of staff and say that children are really listened to here. Children's confidence and self-esteem are successfully promoted. The...y are well involved in club life.

They enjoy the healthy snacks and meals provided and the social mealtimes. They relish the chance to earn stickers and rewards for tasks or trying new things. For example, they wash their dishes, tidy without being asked or taste different food.

They have a go and persevere to do things for themselves, such as spreading toppings or peeling their own fruit, and are proud of their achievements. They show positive attitudes, and their sense of responsibility develops very well.

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

Staff actively welcome and include all children.

They effectively meet the needs of children from a diverse range of backgrounds, including some that require additional support. The whole staff team work hard to get to know all the children. The close relationships they build foster children's well-being very successfully.

They gather useful information about children's likes, dislikes and interests before children start, liaising with parents and class teachers at school. This helps staff offer a tailored approach to meeting children's individual needs.Children behave well at the club.

Staff are kind, respectful and polite role models. They patiently explain and remind children about boundaries in place for their safety. They offer perceptive intervention and support when children struggle to understand expectations or manage their feelings, skilfully directing children's energy into interesting tasks and activities.

Children enjoy being active outside on the school playground and have fun with their friends, imaginatively creating a 'bike bus', cooperating well to wait at the 'bus stop' for their turn. They develop their skills as they use racquets, bats and balls. They climb and balance on the equipment, and enjoy water play in the shade.

Staff ensure children take regular breaks on hot days, having drinks and time inside out of the heat of the sun.The provider and leaders continuously evaluate their practice. Parents are complimentary about the work they do and say that any questions or concerns, however small, are always appreciated and acted upon.

The provider and leaders support the staff with ongoing supervision and training to strengthen their knowledge and skills. They have recently focused on developing everyone's understanding of food allergies and intolerances. Practice has been reviewed to make sure all aspects support children's needs and ensure their safety.

Parents' knowledge has also been supported as the information has been shared with them, in discussion and via the club's website.Staff value children's opinions. They use their knowledge of the children, along with children's suggestions, to plan fun and interesting activities.

For example, children discussed their desire to have more science-based activities and resources, and these were introduced. Occasionally though, staff do not adapt their support or fully think through the set up of the areas outside to follow the children's differing interests.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff implement their risk assessments and procedures diligently. They adjust these to changes in weather or routines. For example, they limit children's access to the outside area during the hottest part of the day and section off areas when gardeners are using equipment in the grounds.

Staff communicate very well and work as a cohesive team. They deploy themselves effectively to supervise and support children well. They have a strong knowledge of child protection.

They know what to do if they are worried about a child's welfare, including reporting any concerns about staff within the club. The provider ensures rigorous recruitment and vetting arrangements are in place. She supports the whole team closely to ensure their continued robust practices.

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