St Johns Afterschool Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are welcomed at the club by kind and nurturing staff. They arrive with their class teacher, who provides club staff with a handover about children's day and their achievements. This helps staff get to know children and celebrate the things they have learned at school.

Despite some children only recently starting, they are very well settled at the club. Staff use 'All About Me' documents to help them gain a good understanding of children's individual needs and plan activities that will capture their interest. This helps children to form bonds with staff and feel emotionally secure at the club.

Staff have high expec...tations for positive behaviour. They support children to devise their own club rules, such as 'no mean names' and 'have fun'. This allows children to take ownership of the club and learn about what is expected of them.

Children's behaviour is very good. Older children take younger children by the hand and gently guide them to the different resources. They politely ask each other if they would like to play together, demonstrating caring and respectful behaviour.

Children show that they feel happy and safe at the club.

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

The providers organise the club well. They work hard to provide experiences and activities that complement what children are learning at school.

For instance, the providers plan topics, such as 'All About Me', to match the school curriculum. They extend this further with activities that encourage children to express their feelings and emotions at the start of term. This helps children to build on and consolidate their existing skills and knowledge.

Partnership working with the host school is strong and well embedded. The providers attend termly meetings with the school leadership team to seek information about child protection and special educational needs and/or disabilities. They have daily conversations with children's class teachers to help them get to know children well.

This collaborative partnership provides continuity in children's care and education.Children have a lovely attitude to learning. They arrive at the club keen and eager to explore what is on offer.

Children skilfully create masterpieces with construction bricks, such as aeroplanes, and display them for their friends to see. Staff recognise children's efforts and praise their skills. This boosts children's confidence and self-esteem.

Staff engage in lovely interactions with children. When children struggle to master new skills with the hula hoop, staff are sensitive and patient. They help children with hand-over-hand support and words of reassurance.

Staff allow children to express their frustrations before offering alternative solutions. This helps children learn how to regulate their own emotions and build their resilience.Children demonstrate good levels of independence.

They pour their own drinks, use knives to spread cheese onto crackers and take responsibility for their belongings. Children understand about good hygiene procedures, such as handwashing, and do this independently. This helps children to practise the skills they need for school.

Staff support children to strengthen their physical skills in the outdoor area. Children develop good coordination skills when learning how to skip. They practise yoga poses with accuracy and learn how a frisbee works.

Staff talk to children about the importance of drinking lots of water when it is warm and applying sun cream when in the sun. This develops children's understanding of how to keep themselves healthy and safe when outdoors.Staff promote mathematical development through their interactions with children.

They help younger children to count and make comparisons between big and little. Older children play games that include 'adding on' in their heads to enhance their mental mathematics. This supports children to remember and build on the skills they are learning at school.

The providers are knowledgeable and work well together to maintain good oversight of the club. They implement a programme of professional development for themselves, as well as the staff. The providers observe practise and offer accurate feedback that strengthens staff's skills and knowledge further.

This helps to ensure that children consistently receive high-quality care.

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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