Polkadots Out Of School Care

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are full of excitement when they arrive at the out of school club.

After hanging up their coats and storing their bags they quickly settle into the flexible routine. For example, some children eat snack shortly after arrival and others immediately engage in activities. Staff encourage children to be independent.

For example, children choose when they have their snack and older children attend to their own personal needs, such as accessing the toilet when needed. Children of all ages are kind and patient. They are content to play alongside each other, sharing resources and waiting their turn.

This can be s...een when a small group of younger children enjoy imaginative play with the doll's house, small world figures and furniture. Children communicate confidently with staff and their peers. Even the youngest children hold discussions with visitors about why they enjoy coming to the out of school club.

Children happily chat with each other about what they did at school as they play. Children have many opportunities to be creative and use their imagination. For example, they spend long periods of time decorating envelopes for their homemade reindeer food.

Staff are careful not to over-direct and respond positively to invitations from children to join in their play, such as playing card games.

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

Staff offer children plenty of opportunities to keep themselves healthy. For instance, they provide nutritious snacks, such as fruit, and children freely access the outdoor environment throughout the session.

This helps children to benefit from fresh air and exercise. Staff help children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they discuss the dangers of using some outdoor equipment in the rain or when it is dark.

Children enjoy the wide variety of activities available. Staff consider the needs and interests of children when they plan the environment. For example, younger children happily listen to a story in the quiet area.

Older children spend long periods of time being creative with a variety of art and craft resources.Staff have strong bonds with the children and successfully support their emotional wellbeing. For example, there is an effective key person system in place for Reception-aged children to help them settle and feel safe.

Furthermore, for young children, staff receive daily feedback from class teachers about their day at school. This enables staff to support children appropriately if they need it.Staff use a range of ways to improve children's awareness and understanding of different people in the world.

For example, they celebrate a range of festivals from different cultures, such as Diwali. This assists children to respect the values and views of others.Parents think highly of the staff.

They comment on how much their children enjoy being at the out of school club. Additionally, they talk about the effective communication they receive from staff. For example, they receive daily handovers and termly newsletters.

Staff communicate effectively with the onsite school. For example, they share information about support plans to promote children's physical and emotional wellbeing.The manager supports the staff team well.

For example, they discuss wellbeing and workload at regular supervision meetings. Staff are encouraged to complete training to help them keep their knowledge and skills up to date.Staff are deployed effectively.

For example, they move between the indoor and outdoor areas to ensure children are closely supervised. Younger children are escorted to the toilet by staff to ensure their safety.Staff seek the views of children when evaluating the service they provide.

During termly meetings with staff, children discuss the resources and activities they would like available.Staff use the same strategies as the onsite school to help ensure children receive consistent messages about behaviour. They gently remind children of the rules and boundaries of the club, such as being kind to each other.

Children are polite and demonstrate good manners. Staff talk to children about how their conduct affects others which supports them to manage their emotions and feelings.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Robust recruitment and vetting processes help to ensure adults are suitable to work with children, including checking staff ongoing suitability. Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. They know the processes to follow should they have concerns about children's welfare.

They are aware of the agencies to contact should there be concerns about, or an allegation against, a staff member. Staff complete daily checks of the premises, inside and outside, to ensure it is safe for children to play. Accidents are accurately recorded and records reviewed to help identify areas that may need improving.

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