Marlow After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children demonstrate that they enjoy attending this vibrant and lively after-school club, which offers them a welcoming and fun environment after their day at school. Children are picked up from different local schools by minibus and driven back to the club. Staff know the children very well and provide a range of exciting and interesting activities for them.

Staff take the time to listen to what children have to say and tailor activities to their individual interests. For instance, younger children are highly engaged in art and craft activities, making wands and jelly fish. Children enjoy being physically active at the club and ta...ke part in ball games to help build their good coordination skills.

Children say they 'love attending the club and have fun playing with their friends'. Children are confident to join team games and are eager to play alongside the older children also attending. Children show they feel happy, safe and secure at the after-school club.

They have warm bonds with the staff who care for them. Children behave well and take it in turns to share equipment. For example, children spend time in the relaxation area of the club.

They understand that each child is allowed a limited time on an interactive game, which allows one child at a time. Children follow the rules without prompting and let others have a go when it is their turn.

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

The provider and staff meet children's personal needs well and help children to understand the importance of healthy eating.

For example, children can make independent choices about the food on offer. They wash their hands before enjoying their snacks, promoting good personal hygiene. Additionally, staff cook and bake with the children, where they incorporate teaching them about healthy food choices.

Children are keen to try out new activities. They keep on trying when some activities require more perseverance to complete them. For example, children enhance their confidence and independence by learning to use the roller skates available to them.

They smile with joy as they gain confidence in their learned abilities.The club is well resourced and children have an abundance of activities to choose from. Some children enjoy playing board games with staff, promoting their concentration and engagement levels successfully.

While others benefit from a variety of opportunities to be physically active. For instance, they join in team sports, such as football and dodgeball. Staff are on hand and act as referees to make sure everyone plays fairly and safely.

The provider, who is also the manager, gathers valuable information from parents, prior to their children starting. This helps to ensure children's individual interests and needs are met when planning activities. Staff exchange information with parents regularly, so that they are aware of their children's day and to provide continuity of care.

The provider and staff have a positive attitude to ongoing improvement. This is illustrated as they evaluate aspects of their provision together and identify areas that they can make better. For example, the manager and her team discuss what children will enjoy participating in most.

They have plans to offer a different themed activity on each day at the club, such as cooking or painting.Staff say that they are well supported by the provider and feel that they can raise any issues or concerns. They report that their input is valued and that they feel supported through regular feedback from the provider.

However, the provider recognises that staff training could be strengthened further by completing professional training more frequently.Staff develop positive procedures with school staff. The manager and staff exchange valuable information with staff at other settings children attend.

This helps staff to support children at the club and promotes children's care and well-being.Parents speak highly of the club and its staff. They report that they 'would be lost without the club' and that their children thoroughly enjoy attending.

Parents say their children have made friends at the club with children that attend other local schools. This further supports their confidence and social skills.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The provider 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. Recruitment and other procedures are in place to enable leaders to check that staff are, and remain, suitable to work with children.

The provider and staff recognise the action they should take if they are concerned about someone in a position of trust. This includes contacting the local authority designated officer and Ofsted. Staff risk assess the premises that are accessible to children daily.