S4A Group Ltd@Bourton Meadow Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enter the holiday club happily.

They are very quick to settle and engage in play. Children who are new to the club meet friendly staff and feel safe and secure. Children have flexibility in the days they attend and make choices about what they want to play with.

For example, children who attend the club regularly in the holidays tell the inspector which days they will attend this week and what is on offer on the different days.All children show extremely positive attitudes to play. They talk fondly about the activities they like to engage in when they attend the club.

For instance, on the day of the inspe...ction, which was Shrove Tuesday, they delight in designing and making their own chef hats ahead of making pancakes. They engage and concentrate well as they competently use scissors, glue and pens to create their hats. Children enjoy learning about the community they live in and show great interest in the visiting fire engine and how it works.

They show great confidence as they happily ask the firemen a range of questions.Children show good manners and are polite and respectful to each other. They behave well and are confident to approach visitors to the club.

Children enjoy playing competitive games and feel that they can trust the staff or ask them for help. They always have the choice to play outside or in the large hall, and they can access a range of sports equipment. For example, on the day of inspection, children negotiated the indoor gym equipment.

They pulled themselves up on ropes, negotiated large hoops and balanced on beams. In addition, children enjoy competing in a range of team games, such as playing dodgeball.

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

The provider and area manager have an effective oversight of this holiday club and work closely with their team.

This is to ensure that staff deliver a broad range of stimulating activities for children to engage in and practise new skills.Staff have a good understanding of out-of-school care. They ensure that children can relax and socialise with their friends.

They balance this well with opportunities for children to engage in stimulating activities that support their formal learning. The club provides a different environment during the holidays, in contrast to children's day at school.Children are independent and confident.

They form friendships with each other and demonstrate that they are kind and caring. For example, they share resources and work together as a team. Older children are caring to their younger peers, inviting them to join in with their games.

Children show high levels of engagement, both during planned activities and times of free play.The holiday club is overseen by the provider and area manager, who are actively involved in the day-to-day running. They lead the staff team, sharing their knowledge and providing direction.

This helps the club to run smoothly and in an organised manner. After each holiday club, leaders reflect on what has worked well and what they would like to do differently in the future. For example, the area manager reflects on the need to review and improve snack time on busier days so that children do not become restless because, at times, they have to wait for long periods.

Parents comment favourably about the exciting range of activities on offer to their children. They explain that staff show genuine warmth and get to know their children really well. This helps children to settle quickly and relish coming to the holiday club.

Staff support children to follow good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands prior to meals and snacks. Children understand the routines and remember to tell a member of staff when they are going to go to the toilet, to support their safety and security.Young children are assigned a key person on starting at the club.

This is an effective system and allows familiar staff to work with younger children. Children are happy seeing someone they recognise, and the key person equally knows these children well. All staff work at a range of local schools that feed into the holiday club.

This helps to ensure a smooth transition from the schools to the holiday club and allows children to identify familiar staff.Staff are excellent role models. They set out the expectations of the club each morning and throughout the day.

Children are confident, behave well and feel safe and secure at the holiday club.The provider wants the club to be successful. Staff undertake a range of training and use their experiences to support each other.

Staff tell the inspector that they feel very well supported and that their well-being is checked upon at regular intervals.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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