Chew Stoke 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 the club.

They happily arrive and chat with staff about their day at school. Staff have close bonds with the children. They use their strong knowledge of them to plan interesting activities and many well-resourced areas.

Children readily find areas that interest them, such as playing with dinosaurs or board games with their friends. Staff think through the set-up of the areas. They ensure children have an area to relax after their day at school, with comfy cushions and books to look at.

Staff sensitively join children in their play, thoughtfully noticing if a child is at an activity al...one or if a younger child needs help. Children particularly enjoy the wide range of highly interesting craft materials and activities on offer. Many of them comment that this is their favourite thing about the club.

Children collect autumn leaves from the playground or use beads to create decorations. They form self-drying clay into wonderful designs and become engrossed in their creations. Young children follow the older children's example and form intricate models, such as a butterfly and a bee.

Staff encourage children to talk about the different characteristics. Children discuss the stripes on the bee's tummy as they use moulding sticks to make the lines.

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

The atmosphere in the club is calm.

Children are busy, engaged in their play and enjoy their time with their friends. Staff are kind and attentive and show genuine care for the children. They are respectful and polite and inspire this in the children.

Children behave well. They play cooperatively and older ones take time to explain things and help the younger children.Children are well involved in club life.

They follow the clear routines that staff lead. They readily tidy up in time for tea, conscientiously putting items in the right boxes and helping staff carry things to the storage cupboard. They enjoy the healthy meals provided and the social mealtimes, chatting happily about their plans for the half-term school holiday.

They show good independence and are confident to do things themselves, such as spreading toppings and making their own mini pizzas for their tea. They show positive attitudes and a good sense of responsibility.Children enjoy being active outside, on the school playground.

They use the equipment to challenge their skills and do well on the bars and handrails. They play with balls and have fun with their friends. Staff lead a fun scooter race and children help them set out a course.

However, staff do not fully think through the set-up of all areas outside and some play is disrupted. Staff have to move the scooter race, as some school staff still need to drive through to exit the area.Staff have strong links with the school.

They work closely in partnerships with teachers and support staff. They provide for younger children's needs well, making sure they have any extra support they may need. They think through the layout of the room and activities on days that children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities attend, to ensure they can navigate the areas independently.

Partnerships with parents are strong to ensure staff get to know children well and support children consistently. Parents are complimentary of the care and opportunities their children receive at the club. They highly commend the hardworking, friendly staff, who go out of their way to provide a welcoming and supportive environment and deliver a wonderful service.

The main manager and the chairman of the committee work to implement robust recruitment and vetting procedures. They ensure that staff are suitable to work with the children and committee members are also appropriately checked. The manager undertakes regular appraisals of the staff team and outlines training needs clearly.

The staff work together well. They have regular meetings and chats before sessions to discuss and develop their practice. There is clear communication, and they conscientiously implement procedures.

They ensure the club runs smoothly and that children are safe and enjoy their time there.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Managers and staff have a good understanding of their role to keep children safe.

They are aware of the possible indicators that could suggest a child is at risk of harm and know the correct procedure to follow if they have any concerns. They all regularly undertake child protection training to keep their knowledge up to date. The main manager also undertakes higher level safeguarding training to help lead the continuing practice of the whole team.

Managers and staff deploy themselves effectively to supervise children during their play and to provide them with the support they need. Staff follow the robust procedures for drop off and collection of children and ensure they keep a close track of children on the premises. Parents appreciate the smooth collection routines with the walkie-talkie system at the gate.

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