Simply Out of School Oak Green

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements The playleader and staff welcome children warmly to this inclusive and caring club. They have systems in place to ensure all children arrive safely from their classrooms.

Children arrive happily and quickly settle to activities or games, making choices from those that are available. They confidently request other resources they would like, such as 'Uno' cards to make card castles and 'Bop It'. Children understand the routines for after school, for example they know where to put their belongings or what they need to do at snack time.

The club provides a relaxed atmosphere, where children can have some downtime after school,... play and relax. Children are kind to each other, supporting their peers when they are upset or helping each other to achieve their creative aims.The playleader has a clear plan in place around what the club provides for children.

She considers children's interests and likes when doing this. Children enjoy the activities and resources on offer. Staff encourage children to ask for different activities and resources that they would like.

The playleader and staff are keen for children to use their imaginations, and be creative and provide relevant resources to facilitate this. Where possible, children are given the opportunity to play outdoors and practise their physical skills each day.

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

The playleader and staff are clear about their expectations of children.

Children behave incredibly well. Staff offer reminders of the club rules as needed, such as to use small steps rather than run. Staff help children to negotiate the use of resources as needed and to manage minor disagreements.

Children of all ages play together and enjoy each other's company.Children are confident communicators, including those who speak English as an additional language. Children confidently ask staff for the things they need.

Staff give children time to answer any questions and explain their thoughts and ideas, for example to explain what they are making with play dough and also what they are creating with construction bricks.Staff encourage children to do things for themselves and be independent. Children choose what they would like for snack.

However, staff hand the snack items out and do not allow children to help themselves or self-serve. This limits the occasions to promote independence even further.Children learn about healthy lifestyles.

Staff talk to them about germs and the importance of washing their hands properly before eating and after using the toilet. They provide healthy snacks, supporting children to make healthy choices. Children experiment with their food and enjoy trying yoghurt and banana in their wraps.

Children are really eager to participate in creative activities, such as sticking and drawing or making a paper watch. However, staff prepare a lot of the elements for children. This does not fully foster opportunities for children to practise useful skills for school, such as cutting.

The head office management team support the play leader and staff. This team have a good oversight of the club and ensure the play leader and staff feel supported in their roles. The play leader and staff access regular training and receive one-to-one meetings to discuss any concerns or extra support they need.

Staff work as a team and communicate well when they are leaving the room for any reason.Staff know the children well and seek relevant information from parents when they start, to help them get to know the children. They have built positive relationships with key children and respond effectively to their needs and requests.

Staff deploy themselves well and engage with children. They reinforce things children have learned in school, such as letter sounds and numerals and how to write their names.Staff work in partnership with parents and the school.

They share information as required so children's needs are met. They have systems in place to feedback any concerns and to share regular information with parents about their children's well-being. Parents comment that staff support children to settle and their children enjoy attending.

Children have the opportunity to provide feedback about the club through children's suggestion forms and questionnaires, this helps their voices to be heard.

Safeguarding

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

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