Mighty Oaks After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are excited to arrive at this friendly after-school club. They have access to a variety of stimulating and age-appropriate activities and resources. Children play a key role in planning their environment.

Staff monitor what activities children enjoy, and create engaging opportunities based on their interests. For example, children have recently enjoyed playing specific board games in the after-school club. They are excited to join in a competition that staff have set up to see who the champion is.

Children of all ages remain thoroughly engaged throughout their time at the after-school club. They cooperate well wit...h one another and share ideas to create exciting play opportunities. For example, older children help their younger friends to create magnificent dens out of fabric.

Children demonstrate they feel secure in the care of the nurturing staff. They seek staff out for comfort when tired or upset. Staff are swift to identify when children may be struggling.

They offer support by chatting to them about their feelings and participating in quiet activities together. Children engage incredibly well with visitors, chatting to them enthusiastically about the time they spend in their after-school club. They proudly show off the crafts they create, and encourage visitors to join in activities.

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

Children are familiar with the routines and rules in the after-school club, and follow them well. Children arrive in an orderly manner. They place their bags and water bottles in the appropriate storage containers.

They understand the need to wash their hands before sitting down with their friends to enjoy their snack.Staff communicate well with parents. They share information verbally about children's time in the after-school club.

Staff gather information about children's time at school, and pass this on to parents at pickup time. Parents are highly complimentary about the manager and staff. They value the nurturing, supportive bonds that staff form with children, and acknowledge how this supports children's well-being.

The manager supports the development of her highly qualified staff exceptionally well. She conducts regular appraisals and supervisions on all staff to identify areas of development. Staff have access to an online training portal.

This provides numerous opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge.Children enjoy a healthy, substantial snack while at the after-school club. They have access to fresh drinking water and fruit throughout the session.

Children demonstrate a good understanding of appropriate mealtime routines. They understand the need to wash their hands before eating, and how eating meals around the table supports their safety.Partnerships with the host school are strong.

Teaching staff bring young children to the after-school club. They share information about children's time at school, and pass on any medical information. Staff use this information to provide additional help for children and support their physical and emotional well-being.

Children behave well in the after-school club. They are kind to each other, play cooperatively, and take turns well during activities. Staff take every opportunity to support children's understanding of appropriate behaviour.

After completing the register, the manager encourages children to discuss the rules of the setting and why they are in place. Staff are excellent role models. They consistently demonstrate good manners, and are polite and respectful to children and adults.

The manager regularly evaluates the care she provides. She seeks feedback from parents and children. The manager uses this information to make well considered changes to her practice.

This ensures the club continues to meet the needs of all children.Staff are knowledgeable about their responsibility to keep children safe. They know the correct procedure to follow when a child has an accident.

All staff complete regular paediatric first-aid training within the required time scales. Staff conduct regular risk assessments of all areas of the after-school club and supervise children extremely well during activities.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager and staff all demonstrate excellent safeguarding knowledge. They clearly explain the signs and symptoms which could indicate that a child is at risk from harm. The manager and staff all know the correct procedure to follow when escalating any concerns to the correct authority.

The manager supports children to develop strategies to keep themselves safe. They understand the impact of not alerting staff when they leave the main room. The manager introduces visitors to the setting, explaining the purpose of their visit and putting children at ease.

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