Dursley Out of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy attending this warm and welcoming after-school club.

Staff collect them from their classrooms and gather relevant information about their day from teachers to share with parents at collection time. Children develop positive relationships with both staff and peers of all ages. At the start of each session, children gather together for registration and engage in meaningful discussions with staff about their experiences during the school day.

Staff are wonderful role models and are highly supportive of children's self-esteem and well-being. For example, they share with children that they were fortunate to atten...d a preview of a pantomime by the local dramatics group at the school. Staff praise the children for their efforts and dedication in putting on a fantastic show.

Staff encourage children to make choices about where they would like to play and what activities to engage in. Children benefit from a range of creative options, including drawing, canvas painting and Christmas crafts. They display high levels of focus and concentration as they sit at the table, drawing pictures of their favourite animals and carefully peeling stickers to decorate their artwork.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. Older children are considerate and respectful of their younger peers. They share resources and offer help and encouragement.

For example, they discuss younger children's drawings with them and offer them the use of a ruler now that they have finished with it.

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

The club is led by a longstanding and dedicated staff team. Leaders are passionate about the service they provide and work closely with staff, parents and children to continuously evaluate and improve the club.

Staff receive regular supervisions and appraisals, discussing their ongoing training and professional development needs with the enthusiastic leaders. Staff express the love for their role and feel valued by both parents and the school community.The club has strong partnerships with parents, who speak highly of the service the club provides.

Parents appreciate that all staff know their children well and provide individualised support. They describe the club as a home-from-home environment and that it has given their children some of their most precious memories. Staff keeps parents informed and regularly update them on events, such as trips and competitions.

The club promotes children's health and provides them with balanced snacks, such as toast, fruit and a small cup of hot chocolate. Staff recognise that children's energy levels dip at this time of the day and emphasise the importance of carbohydrates to sustain them for the rest of the afternoon. Children enjoy their hot chocolate and reflect on their experiences from school.

For example, having hot chocolate as a treat after their forest school sessions.Children enjoy listening to stories read by older peers, also known as 'young helpers'. They demonstrate familiarity with the stories and relate them to their own experiences, such as finding similar books at the community library.

Children are eager to engage with staff and enthusiastically answer questions about the stories. They explain that the character has not learned his lesson and refer to other books in which the character is still making the same mistakes.Staff offer an inclusive service.

They quickly make adjustments to the club's routine to give all children, including the youngest, opportunities to take on key roles. For example, while older children help stack the chairs after snack, staff ask younger children if they would like to carry the bowls to the kitchen. This helps to develop their sense of purpose and belonging.

The club embeds consistent hygiene routines into its daily schedule. Children wash their hands upon arrival, before and after snacks and after handling the pet guinea pigs called Gary, Ned, and Benny. They take responsibility for the guinea pigs' care, learning how to handle them gently and feed them green beans.

Staff teach children about the animals' needs and well-being. They explain that one of the guinea pigs is aging and losing weight, so extra care is required when handling him.Staff manage transitions well and ensure they are smooth and safe for all children.

They give permission for children to leave the table in small groups. Children listen carefully as staff give instructions, such as 'If you have a cat, you can go and play.' At the end of the day, staff announce when it is time for each child to leave, allowing them time to say goodbye to their peers.

Younger children show their affection for the older children, rushing to give them a hug.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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