School Friend Clubs @ English Martyrs’

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy their time at the club.

Staff provide many opportunities for children to explore and play, for instance children investigate a small nature area outdoors. They readily tell visitors about the herbs that they are growing. Children are ecstatic when they discover a frog in the water and exclaim, 'He just came up for air' and 'I saw the spots on the frog.'

Staff encourage children to be careful not to scare the frog. Children acknowledge this and step back to allow the frog time to rest.Children's emotional well-being is supported well by staff.

For instance, during circle time staff allow time for ch...ildren to talk about their school day. They encourage children to place their thumbs up, down or halfway to help express their feelings. Children eagerly share their experiences, for example, they say it was a thumbs up because they had tuna sandwiches for lunch, which they like, others comment that it was a thumbs down because they had physical education.

Children know the expectations set by staff and respectfully listen to their friends. Staff remind children to approach them during the session if they want to talk about anything. This helps children to feel safe and secure to share any worries or concerns.

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

Children delight in the range of outdoor physical activities provided by staff. For instance, children practise their skills as staff teach them how to bowl during a game of cricket. Staff play football with children and praise them for their good goalkeeping.

Children use their strength as they climb on the large outdoor equipment and carefully balance as they walk across tyres and beams.Staff build successful relationships with the host school. Children benefit from a consistent approach between the school and the club.

For example, staff adopt the school's approach to promoting children's positive behaviour. Staff and teachers frequently share information about children to ensure that their individual needs are continually met.Staff provide children with a nutritious and varied food menu.

Children cheer in unison when they hear that they are having noodles for snack. Staff prepare a fruit platter, which children readily help themselves to. Staff promote conversations and social interactions.

For example, children avidly talk about how they like the taste of curry and that they like it strong.Parents speak highly of staff. They say that children skip into club and do not always want to leave.

Parents comment that staff are very caring and know children well. Staff provide parents with updates through a parent notice board and daily verbal communication.Children understand the behaviour guidelines set by staff.

They confidently tell visitors what these are. Children behave well and show care and consideration for others. For example, older children notice a younger child by themselves and invite them to play.

During snack time, children know to raise their hands when the want the attention of staff. Staff offer gentle reminders to children about manners, and children use manners well.Staff help children to recall shared experiences.

Together they look through photographs of children with Bo bo, a toy dragon who visits other clubs linked to the setting. Children say that Bo bo is a friendly dragon, and they involve him in events and activities at the club. Children's growing sense of identity is supported as they recognise themselves in photographs with Bo bo.

Children excitedly say to staff, 'Look, it's me', staff acknowledge this and they discuss what is happening in the photograph.Staff work effectively as part of a team. They communicate well, this helps to ensure that the deployment of staff meets the needs of all children.

Staff are supported by a dedicated manager. The manager holds staff meetings along with one-to-one staff support. Staff access a range of training courses to help them to continually improve their knowledge and practice to enhance children's experiences while at the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff ensure that the premises are safe and secure. They are vigilant in checking the identity of visitors.

Staff implement a robust procedure in the event of an unknown person arriving to collect a child. All staff complete safeguarding training and are confident in identifying and reporting concerns about the welfare of a child. Staff find out about and meet children's individual health needs.

They have a secure understanding of the safe administration of medication. A mobile phone and camera policy is strictly followed by all staff and children. Staff can identify and know how to raise concerns about the conduct of other colleagues.

Also at this postcode