Shooting Stars Out Of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and safe at the club. They engage in a wide range of activities, and enjoy spending time with their friends and staff. Children have secure attachments with staff, who are kind, caring and show a genuine interest in children's lives.

Children happily share their experiences with staff. They laugh and giggle with delight as they play party games and dance alongside staff. Children are confident and sociable, and have good communication skills.

They happily chat to the inspector about their time at the club. Children say that they enjoy playing outside, being with their friends, and like colouring and draw...ing. They describe staff as being nice and say that they look after them well.

Children are incredibly well behaved and polite. They are aware of the rules and boundaries in place, and follow these well. Staff successfully teach children about keeping themselves safe when walking to and from school.

Children confidently articulate the safety measures to the inspector before they begin walking back to club. For example, children are aware of road safety. They have regular stopping points, so that staff can make sure that all children keep together.

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

Staff get to know the children they care for well. They have identified that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on some children's emotional well-being. Staff have put strategies in place to help children who are feeling anxious.

For example, staff have created a feelings board, and share stories with children to help them to express their feelings and emotions. Children make dream catchers to help them share any concerns they may have and discuss how they are feeling with a 'Worry Bear'.The setting is inviting and staff organise it so that children can independently access a range of resources and activities.

When staff plan activities, they carefully think about what children are interested in and what they are learning at school. However, at times, staff accept typical gender stereotypes and do not consistently consider how these can be challenged.Children help staff to decide what they would like to do.

They enjoy learning about different countries, beliefs and cultures. For instance, children learn facts about Spain and enjoy creating a display using the Spanish flag.Children's independence is promoted well.

When children arrive at the club, they hang their belongings up and wash their hands ready for tea. They help themselves to picnic tea as they enjoy a party to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee.Mealtimes are a sociable occasion where children sit together.

Staff engage children in conversations about their interests and experiences. For example, children discuss their favourite football teams and hobbies at home.Children have plenty of opportunities to be active at the club.

They have ample space to move around and play games inside. Children also have access to a spacious outdoor area where they play football, make fairy gardens and enjoy planting flowers and vegetables. They help to water the plants daily.

Children beam with pride as they tell the inspector what they are growing.Staff have established good links with the local schools that children attend. There is good communication and information is shared between the club, school and parents.

Staff regularly chat to class teachers to share information about children and what they are learning.Parents highly recommend the club and praise the kind, caring and friendly staff. They say that their children love attending the club and enjoy a wide range of fun activities and games.

Children especially like doing quizzes and making arts and crafts to take home.Leaders have robust recruitment and induction procedures in place for new staff. They regularly check the suitability of staff to work with children and monitor their performance well.

Staff undertake a wealth of training to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. They enjoy working at the club, and say that leaders and managers support them well.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Children's safety is a high priority at the club. Leaders and staff keep children safe through regularly risk assessing the environment and removing any potential hazards. They teach children about keeping themselves safe, including when online.

Leaders and staff access a range of safeguarding training to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff have a sound safeguarding knowledge and know the correct procedures to follow to raise any concerns about a child's welfare or safety. They are aware of a range of safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation, exploitation and female genital mutilation.