Oak Tree Out Of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive happy and excited at this welcoming club. They show that they feel safe and secure as they greet staff with a hug and put away their belongings. Children quickly settle into play as they choose from a variety of activities.

They behave well, are kind to one another and follow the club's rules. This helps to make the club enjoyable for all.Staff show genuine interest in children and spend time getting to know them.

Children are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas. Staff listen to their views and opinions and use this knowledge to plan activities they know children will enjoy. For example, they provi...de clay for those who expressed interest in making models.

Staff recognise that younger children enjoy taking part in role play. They help to extend children's imaginative play by adding oats to the role-play area. Children are engrossed as they mix and scoop dried oats to make pretend meals.

Children benefit from a well-resourced club provided by staff. Every child is engaged in their chosen activities. This is because they make choices in what they would like to do.

For instance, some children like to rest on the sofas with their friends while others enjoy being energetic outside.

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

The arrangements for settling children into the club are effective. Staff gather information from parents and teachers.

They use this information to meet children's individual needs and find out what children like doing. This means the experiences the staff provide are enjoyed by the children and help them settle when they first start.Staff are positive role models.

They praise and recognise the children's efforts as they play. Children are supported to understand what impact their behaviours have on others. For example, staff explain to children that their loud squeals can hurt the ears of those who wear hearing aids.

Parents speak highly about the staff and the care offered to their children. They say that their children enjoy the club, and they are well informed about what their child is doing during their time there. Staff communicate effectively with parents.

They use fortnightly round-up emails to share information. These include advice and support on keeping children safe online. Parents are also invited into the setting on collection.

Links with the host primary school are highly effective. School teachers share information with staff when children are collected from their classrooms. This ensures that important information is shared between staff, teachers and parents.

Staff support children to have a healthy lifestyle. For instance, children are encouraged to choose their snack from a choice of healthy options and help themselves to fresh water. However, staff do not always remind children to wash their hands before eating.

Staff talk with children during activities and mealtimes to promote conversations. Children are supported to ask questions, listen to others and respond to questions asked of them. Children have a say in what activities they would like to have and make decisions about the meals they would like to receive.

For example, children asked to make their own pizza for snack. Staff listen, and plan this into the weekly menu.Children have good opportunity to be physically active.

Outside, children enjoy the large space. They play games, such as basketball, or ride around on scooters. Staff support children to cooperate and work together to build interesting structures from construction toys.

They help children persevere with difficult tasks, supporting children's confidence and well-being.Managers and staff are reflective. They review all aspects of practice regularly and create action plans that help to develop and enhance the provision.

The manager has ensured that she and her staff have completed mandatory training, including recent training to refresh their knowledge of safeguarding issues. There are a range of policies and procedures to help the manager and staff organise and run the club effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager and staff attend regular safeguarding training to ensure that they have relevant and up-to-date knowledge. The staff know the signs that could indicate that a child may be at risk of harm. They have good procedures in place to record and report any concerns they may have about a child.

Staff carry out thorough risk assessments to ensure that the environment is safe for children. They teach children how to keep themselves safe when using the internet. Staff talk to children about the possible dangers and give children strategies to stay safe online.