Jousters At St Mary’s

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy attending the club. They arrive after school eager to get started on making their snack, with the help of the staff. Children enthusiastically prepare their substantial, healthy snack and then sit together to eat.

They chat happily to their friends before deciding on which activities to try. Children are involved in planning the experiences on offer. They talk to staff about what they would like to do.

Children make suggestions for specific activities, such as ball games outdoors. They also help staff to decide on new resources for the club. The children are at the heart of what is provided.

Childre...n behave well at the club. They listen well and pay attention when staff speak. The atmosphere in the club is one of lively enjoyment.

Children are polite to visitors and staff. There is plenty of fun and laughter. Children joke with staff and with their friends.

Children busy themselves with recreational experiences. They dress up and play imaginative games. Children work cooperatively when using construction toys.

Creative and craft experiences are popular and children show an interest in what their friends have made. Children have the support they need to help them stay safe and busy after school.

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

Children understand how to behave appropriately.

Staff give clear messages about children's behaviour and this helps to ensure everyone is clear about what is expected of them. For example, staff use a simple strategy of clapping a few times to gain attention. When this happens, everyone goes quiet and listens.

Children know there is an important message that they need to hear. Messages are delivered quickly and children resume their play. This effective way of gaining children's attention is used well and does not unduly interrupt children's play.

Relationships between children and staff at the club are good. Some staff work in the schools that children attend, so children know them well. Children are comfortable around staff and invite them to join in with games, and engage them in conversations about school and their daily lives.

Children care about their friends. They play well together and try hard to get along and play fairly. There is plenty of negotiation when they organise their activities.

Children are good at letting everyone have their say. They have good opportunities to play with their friends.Children of different ages get along well.

Older children show care and concern for younger children. They offer guidance, advice and encouragement when younger children attempt new activities.Children enjoy worthwhile activities that they choose for themselves.

They have good opportunities to be imaginative and to test their skills. Staff provide space for children to engage in quiet play and do homework. Staff invite children to practise their spellings and they look at mathematic activities with them.

They offer children time and space to complete activities that complement the work they do in school.Children have plenty of opportunities for developing their ideas. For example, as they are making gingerbread people out of card for a Christmas garland, each child chooses how to decorate their person.

Children use buttons to create features. They use colourful pipe cleaners and tissue paper to make a line of different gingerbread people. Each piece is unique.

Parents receive a warm welcome at the club when they come to collect their children. Staff chat with children and their parents. They share information about the children's activities and catch up on any news.

Parents speak highly of the staff and the activities that they provide for children. Parents say their children enjoy attending the club.The provider has a clear ethos.

She aims to provide children with a safe space where they can relax and take part in recreational activities. She wants staff to support children to continue to develop their social skills, make their own decisions and develop their ideas. The provider communicates this effectively to staff.

The provider reviews practice at the club regularly. She speaks to staff who are responsible for the day-to-day management, checking on the quality of what they offer and providing support with any challenges the team encounters. She provides essential training for staff and opportunities for them to do additional training to broaden their knowledge and experience.

The provider is working with staff to help keep the club financially and environmentally sustainable.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a sound knowledge of safeguarding practice.

They receive training on safeguarding and child protection issues. Staff make themselves familiar with the club's safeguarding policies. They know to refer to these policies and to consult the designated senior person for safeguarding in the event of any concern about a child's well-being.

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