Simply Out Of School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children show remarkable confidence and are very much at ease in this warm and nurturing setting. They arrive happy and are eager to join in with activities and chat to their friends. Even though some children are new to the setting, they form close attachments with caring adults who work there.

They demonstrate this by confidently inviting the adults to join playing a wide variety of board games together.Children are consistently busy at play. For instance, they enjoy making props for their own café.

Children make menus, place mats and pots of flowers to use in the café role-play area. They enjoy taking on the role of t...he customer, chef and server. Children design and decorate their own T shirts using different fabric markers and pens.

They show great pride in their work, smiling widely as they show visitors the 'beautiful flowers' they have drawn. Children have plenty of opportunities to be creative.Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour, which is exemplary.

Children help to devise the rules of the club and demonstrate their understanding through being kind and thoughtful to one another. They are developing good skills for the future.

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

Staff have well-established arrangements to share information with schools that children attend.

Effective shared strategies between club staff and teachers help to provide a consistent approach to caring for children and supporting their overall development.Staff successfully plan interesting activities to complement children's learning in school. Children have plenty of opportunities to see, hear and practise writing new words.

Staff incorporate mathematical language and concepts into children's play. For example, during a card game, children are encouraged to think about which numbers are higher and lower. Children have lots of fun.

Staff regularly praise children and celebrate their achievements and efforts with them. Children receive a sticker for positive behaviours, such as being kind or helpful. Leaders and staff are committed to listening to children.

Children are able to share their feelings, by posting a note to the 'worry bear'. Staff help children to understand their feelings and provide support and reassurance to help them to feel better. This positive approach contributes to children's welfare and good behaviour.

During school holiday periods, children benefit from daily visits to local parks, play areas and places of interest. Outings include visits to a local bird of prey centre and forest school sessions. During shorter sessions, in term time, staff ensure that there are plenty of opportunities for children to exercise.

For example, children play sports and play in the wooded area as well as helping to tend the allotment. All these experiences help to promote their good health and understanding of the world around them.Leaders and staff are reflective.

They review all aspects of practice regularly to continually enhance the provision. This contributes to the already very good standards within the club and the capacity for continuous improvement.Parents speak highly of the club.

They appreciate the good communication from staff. Parents comments include, 'We couldn't be happier with the care provided by Simply Out of School. Despite my child not attending every day, all the staff know my child's individual likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses.

My child tells me every day about their excitement to attend, I couldn't ask for more.' Children know that they must wash their hands before touching or eating food. They confidently help to prepare their own snacks and lay the table ready for mealtimes.

Children serve their own meals, pour drinks, and expertly use cutlery. They are extremely independent and confident.Staff help children to learn about their local environment.

They plan activities such as a minibeast hunt to help children learn about insects and animals. Children enthusiastically use magnifying glasses and match what they find to identification cards they carry with them on their adventures. They share what they find with their friends and are competitive with the number of different species they find.

Staff use this opportunity to encourage children to work as a team and share their experiences. This is positively helping children's social skills.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders and staff are trained in safeguarding. Staff are confident in recognising the signs of abuse or neglect. They are fully aware of what they must do should they have concerns about a child's welfare.

Staff also demonstrate a good understanding of what to do and who to contact if there are concerns about any adults working with children. Staff complete effective and regular risk assessments. They also teach children about keeping themselves safe.

For example, how to use scissors and cutlery safely. Effective recruitment and induction procedures are carried out. This ensures children are cared for in a safe environment.

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