Simply Out of School Nova Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children thoroughly enjoy their time spent at the warm and welcoming club. They are collected from school by the same familiar staff members. Younger children are paired with their key person.

This helps children to feel safe and secure. Children are confident and have strong bonds with staff, who are caring and responsive to their needs. Children tell visitors how much they enjoy their time at the club and the wide range of activities they access.

For instance, children enjoy exploring a range of sensory materials, such as dough and slime. They engage in various craft activities as they create jewellery and collages using... different materials. Staff interact well with children.

They are kind and supportive, offering advice to help children achieve their goals. This helps to promote children's self-esteem and resilience.Children behave well and have positive attitudes to learning.

They are eager to join activities and games. Staff ensure children are included in the planning of activities and snack choices. This helps children to feel valued and promotes a sense of ownership of the club.

Children are kind and considerate to others. Staff give children responsibility such as taking on the role of 'helper of the day'. This role requires children to help others, especially the younger children in the club.

Staff are good role models. They are calm and explain why rules are in place. This helps children to understand the behavioural expectations of the club.

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

The provider has a clear vision for the club. They focus on children socialising, developing friendships and feeling valued. Staff gather detailed information from parents when children first attend.

This includes details of children's interests and preferred play activities. In addition, staff observe children's play choices and encourage them to contribute to the weekly planning. This helps staff to provide a fun and stimulating environment for all children.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff access training specifically targeted to support children currently accessing the club. They implement effective strategies and work closely with parents to develop care plans to meet children's individual needs.

Staff communicate effectively with school staff to ensure children receive continuity in their care.Children thoroughly enjoy the physical activities staff make available at the club. For instance, children enjoy trips to the local park, where they access climbing equipment and larger areas for running.

Children excitedly engage in a wide range of outdoor activities. They work collaboratively as they play group games, such as football and tennis. This supports children's social development, as they engage in team sports.

The provider evaluates the provision well. They value the opinions of parents, children and staff and encourage them to share their ideas for improvements to the club. Staff engage in weekly staff meetings to reflect on their practice and the provision.

The provider regularly observes staff and provides appraisals to identify any training needs. Staff engage with mandatory training, such as paediatric first aid and safeguarding. This helps to keep their skills and knowledge updated.

Parents speak extremely highly of the club. They comment on the positive impact it has had on their children's confidence and the new friendships the children make. Parents say the club is 'welcoming' and 'inclusive'.

They describe staff as 'very supportive' and 'friendly'. Parents particularly value the close relationships staff build with their children and how well they know them. Parents describe how eager children are to attend and say that their children often do not want to leave at home time.

The provider makes sure that children learn to be safe while accessing equipment and play areas. For instance, they are shown how to use knives safely while preparing snack and staff explain to children the safety rules when walking from school. Staff are vigilant and follow robust risk assessments.

They collect detailed information about children's health requirements prior to them starting and have effective systems in place to help to keep children safe.

Safeguarding

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