Cheeky Monkeys Out of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are completely at ease as they confidently arrive at the out-of-school club. They are happy and settled. They have strong bonds with staff, who they also see in school during the school day.

Children quickly become immersed in a wide range of interesting play activities. These have been thoughtfully prepared by staff, who consider children's current interests. Children have fun with their friends and thoroughly enjoy club activities.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are excellent role models to their friends. They help each other and are sensitive to others' feelings.

For example, they talk about t...he boundaries of a role-play game so that everyone is clear about the rules. Older children teach younger children new skills, for example, as they play a game of chess. They work together to solve problems, for example, as they allocate roles during the school role play.

Staff support children's independence extremely well. Children self-serve snacks of fruit, cheese and crackers. They make themselves toast with a toaster and wash plates and cups afterwards.

They decide when they want to eat and drink, because these healthy and nutritious snacks are readily available throughout the session.

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

Staff nurture an environment where children have every opportunity to talk about their feelings and have a voice. For example, children self-register on arrival and choose where to put their sticker on a feelings board.

They select resources from a basket containing toys that support mindfulness. They have quiet times in comfy areas, where they can talk with staff about their day in school. They actively contribute to floor books and newsletters where they record what they love to do at their club.

Staff enable children to make choices and decisions about what they want to do. Children choose from the excellent range of activities that staff have thoughtfully planned. In addition, they know that they can change activities and swap resources if they wish to.

They are fully involved in these play opportunities, alongside their friends.Leaders and staff work seamlessly as a team to make sure that the ethos of this out-of-school club is visible on a daily basis. They know what is important for the children attending and ensure that this is threaded through the daily opportunities on offer.

There is a strong focus on children making choices, developing skills and gaining independence. As a result, children are happy, relaxed, focused and busy. Furthermore, they are confident and independent.

Parents speak highly of the provision. They feel reassured that their children are happy and have a good time while at the club. They comment that their children often don't want to leave.

Information is shared between staff and parents verbally at the end of the session when children are collected.Partnership working with the primary school is strong. The club is based in the school hall and uses adjacent rooms and outdoor play spaces.

Club staff work in school during the school day. This helps ensure that there is good communication between staff, the headteacher and class teachers to support children's well-being.The club promotes inclusion.

Leaders have systems in place to gather information from parents and the school about children's individual needs. The manager and staff understand the importance of working in partnership with parents and other professionals to provide children with any extra support they may need. Staff know children well, because they also work in the school during the day.

Leaders discuss how they ensure that all staff are suitable to work with the children at the club. Staff access training and support regularly so they have an up-to-date knowledge of various subjects, including safeguarding. All staff know the steps they should take if they have a concern about a child's welfare.

Staff assess risks and prepare age-appropriate activities for the children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Managers and staff understand their role and responsibility to keep children safe.

They have up-to-date safeguarding knowledge, because they access training regularly. They understand the procedures to follow if they have a concern about a child's welfare. They know the signs and symptoms of abuse and other safeguarding issues, for example radicalisation and extremism.

The premises are secure, and carefully considered procedures for parents to collect their children ensure children's safety. For example, parents stay in the foyer area, which has electronically locked doors, and their children are taken to them. Staff are deployed effectively so that children are safe and supervised as they play.

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