Outer School Ltd

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children thrive as they safely engage in a wide range of hands-on learning experiences. Planned activities are carefully considered to provide children with opportunities to broaden their knowledge and skills.

Children's awareness of their local and wider community is extremely well promoted. For example, children are supported to plant and grow their own fruits, vegetables and flowers, which are then entered into local competitions. For Remembrance Day, children made their own poppy cookies, which they then sold to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

When children asked what would happen if they sent a letter to the... Queen, staff provided them with the opportunity to find out. Children worked together to write a letter to the Queen for her birthday, and the younger children made birthday cards. Children were delighted to receive a letter back from the Queen's lady-in-waiting thanking them for their lovely letter and cards.

Children of varying ages enjoy playing together, which helps to widen their friendship groups. They interact and socialise extremely well with their peers. Children's views and opinions are actively sought, providing children with opportunities to identify areas for improvement.

For example, reflection books are used to gain children's opinions on the club and the activities they participate in. Staff use this information to make any necessary changes so that children continually benefit from a quality provision.

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

Children behave extremely well.

Older children look out for their younger peers to ensure they are happy and safe. Children are physically active outside, where they enjoy playing ball games. Other children develop their creativity and mark-making skills as they draw with large chalks on the floor.

A small group of children play imaginatively as they decide to put on a show. The youngest child confidently organises everything as she directs other children where to put the crates for the stage and seating. Children then use streamers and instruments as they put on their show.

Highly effective partnership working with parents and the adjoining school ensures the continued exchange of information. This enables staff in the club to meet children's individual care and learning needs. Detailed information is obtained from parents when children first start so that staff are aware of children's individual needs and abilities.

Comprehensive information is obtained from school staff about current learning topics and individualised children's next steps in learning. Staff use this information in the club as they engage in children's chosen play experiences, building on children's prior knowledge and skills.The committee is in the process of ensuring that Ofsted is provided with the required information to ensure that the full range of suitability checks are completed on all committee members.

Secure recruitment procedures are followed to assess the suitability of staff who work with children.Children developed their creativity and imagination when they designed and made a scarecrow for a local community event. They also developed their physical skills as they learned to sew the pieces of the scarecrow together.

Children are provided with opportunities to explore, investigate, be physically active or to rest and relax after their structured day at school. Staff plan activities which children are free to choose to participate in or not. This is because the emphasis at the after-school club is on having fun and enabling children to make their own choices and decisions.

The committee and staff team continually work together to evaluate the quality of the provision. Children's and parents' views are sought during this process, ensuring everyone contributes to the future development of the club. Recent improvements to the outdoor environment have increased opportunities for children to independently access their play resources.

However, staff are committed to improving this area even further so that children have more varied and challenging equipment to use.Parents confirm that their children enjoy attending the club and they feel reassured that their children are well cared for. Parents describe how their children delighted in showing them the bird boxes that they had made at the club.

They explain how their children were proud of their accomplishments. Staff confirm that children were supported to use a range of tools safely, including hammers and nails, when they made the bird boxes.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Children are cared for in a safe and secure setting where they are well supervised by vigilant staff. Secure procedures are in place to ensure children only leave the setting with an authorised adult. Staff are aware of a wide range of possible indicators of abuse.

Training on recent changes to safeguarding arrangements has been undertaken by staff and the committee members to ensure that their knowledge remains current. Staff know the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child or a staff member. Children's awareness of the possible risks associated with accessing online technology is promoted through discussions with children and parents.

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