S4YC Out of School Club - Upton Heath

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children show that they feel happy and secure at the club. They arrive smiling and eagerly share their news with staff. Younger children seem genuinely delighted to see their older 'buddy' and rush to give them a hug when they enter the room.

Children settle quickly and become immersed in the play opportunities provided. They tell visitors that their favourite activities are making things and pretend play. Staff have high expectations for children and have clear, consistent boundaries.

Children behave well and know the rules. For example, they remind their friends that if hoops go over the barrier, they will not be able to... play with them anymore. Children share resources without prompting and are kind to each other.

For instance, older children help their younger friends to fasten buttons on dressing-up costumes.Staff provide opportunities for children to rest and to be physically active. Children thoroughly enjoy their time outdoors.

They make democratic choices about the resources they would like to use. Younger children giggle as they roll hoops along the ground and chase after them. Older children invite younger children to join in with a game of football.

Parents state that staff at the club are friendly and welcoming.

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

Staff help children to learn about the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. For example, they ensure children have access to fresh fruit and water throughout the session.

Children know they need to wash their hands before they eat. They have a clear understanding of which foods are healthy. For instance, as younger children enjoy making pretend meals, they tell visitors, 'These peas are good for me, sausages aren't'.

Staff engage in meaningful conversations with children. For example, as children enjoy making Thanksgiving cards, they ask them if they know why they are making them. This helps children to build on their growing understanding of other communities in the world.

Children are motivated and confident. For instance, they show determination as they try to complete more complex jigsaw puzzles. As they show visitors cards they have made, they proudly read out what they have written inside.

The management team speaks passionately about offering a safe, high-quality provision for children. They seek the views of children, staff and parents when considering ways to continue to improve the play environment. For example, staff acknowledged that children needed a separate area to engage in quiet activities and have secured additional space in an adjacent room.

This provides further opportunities for children to enjoy activities such as sharing books and drawing in a less busy environment. Staff strive to help children to become even more independent. They have improved arrangements for children to store and access personal belongings on arrival at the club.

Staff will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the changes made.The management team has effective systems in place to monitor and support staff performance. For instance, they observe staff practice and give feedback.

This helps them to identify areas that staff can develop further. The management team provides opportunities for staff to access training. This helps them to continue to build on their existing skills and knowledge.

Staff speak positively about the management team. They state that they have regular meetings with the manager to discuss their well-being.Staff build strong relationships with parents and staff in the host school.

For example, they meet with teachers when children first start to discuss children's interests. This helps staff to plan effectively, to enhance experiences that the youngest children have during the school day. Staff also exchange information about children's well-being with teachers at the start and end of each day.

Feedback from parents indicates that they are happy with the service the club provides. They state that the manager discusses the care the club offers when children first start. The management team is continuing to strengthen arrangements for sharing ongoing information with parents about future planned activities.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a secure understanding of how to keep children safe. The management team regularly monitors staff's safeguarding knowledge to ensure that they know the current local safeguarding procedures to follow.

Staff talk to children about keeping themselves safe when using online technology. For instance, they show children how quickly images posted on social media spread. There are robust systems in place to ensure that children are safe when attending the club.

For example, the manager deploys staff effectively when children use the outdoor area. Staff maintain contact via walkie-talkies and watch children as they move between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Parents use secure passwords to sign children out.

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