Funzone Out Of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children thoroughly enjoy the range of activities on offer at this very popular and inclusive club. Staff collect children from their schools and see them safely inside.

Children wash their hands and help themselves to a healthy snack. They soon settle into the club routine and enjoy playing alongside their friends. Staff are friendly and supportive, and children develop close bonds with them.

The manager and staff are excellent role models and promote children's good behaviour. Children demonstrate that they feel comfortable and safe. They know they can talk to staff if they are feeling sad or worried.

Younger ch...ildren have a key person, who works closely with the child's school and parents. This helps to ensure that they share information effectively. Staff know the children very well, which supports their well-being while they are at the club.

Children delight in taking part in group activities designed to promote good behaviour, build friendships and develop their social skills. For example, children play cooperatively together when constructing models and playing games of pool. They patiently wait their turn as staff explain the rules of the game to them.

Staff encourage children to make choices about what they want to do. Children concentrate well as they make collages of robots using differently textured paper. Staff have a flexible and responsive approach to children's play ideas.

They give children lots of praise, which helps to build their confidence and self-esteem.

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

The experienced providers and manager continually strive to provide high-quality provision for children before and after school. Staff work extremely well together and the manager makes good use of their different skills, qualifications and experience.

For example, children learn about nature and the world they live in as they take part in activities led by a specialist member of staff. They enjoy scavenger hunts and collecting natural items for craft activities such as leaf rubbings.Staff value children's contributions.

They listen to children's ideas and suggestions of resources they would like at the club. Children are confident communicators and all opportunities for conversation are encouraged. This includes talking to visitors and during mealtimes, which are social and enjoyable events for children.

Children are very happy to attend the club and chat to each other and staff as they relax after their school day. Staff create bright and interactive displays around the rooms, including posters about 'how to keep safe online' and 'say no to bullying'. This helps to generate important conversations between the children.

Children enjoy participating in a wide range of activities. They eagerly gather around the craft table and make delightful 'fairy cards' using coloured glitter. Children involve staff in all their activities.

They become engrossed in manipulating the play dough and handle tools well. Children thoroughly enjoy other creative activities, such as model making, drawing and colouring. They spend time planning what they will make and work together to carry out their plans.

Children concentrate on their chosen tasks very well and show pride in their achievements.Children have opportunities to be active, indoors and outdoors. They develop their physical skills well as they use the equipment at the park or play football.

Staff support children's understanding of good hygiene routines, including oral health. They plan a 'healthy eating week', and children make a collage of healthy plates of food. Children enjoy a choice of healthy snacks and meals each day.

Partnerships with parents are very good and their feedback is extremely complimentary. Parents say their children are very happy and enjoy the activities on offer. They comment that staff are friendly and approachable.

At collection time, staff inform parents about what their children have been doing at the club. They pass on any messages from children's schools.The club is managed very well.

The enthusiastic staff team are committed to providing children with a happy and enjoyable time at the club. Staff work together extremely well as a team and the manager provides strong support for them. She carries out regular supervision sessions and staff meetings.

The manager ensures that all mandatory training is up to date and additional training is focused to meet the needs of the children. Staff say that they feel very well supported and enjoy their time working at the club.The manager gathers the views of children and parents to help bring about improvements to the provision.

She encourages children to complete their own evaluation forms, where they are able to share their ideas and suggestions. The manager regularly seeks the views of parents and incorporates their ideas into practice where possible. Children and parents speak very fondly of the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a very good understanding of their roles and responsibilities in protecting children from harm. They complete regular training, which helps to keep their knowledge relevant and up to date.

The manager and staff confidently describe the procedures to follow if they have concerns about the children in their care. Robust recruitment and induction procedures help to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff implement safe procedures, such as for the arrival and departure of children.

Daily risk assessments are completed to ensure that all areas are safe and suitable for children to use. The manager closely monitors who enters the club, which prevents any unauthorised people gaining access. Staff deploy themselves well so that children remain safe at all times.