St Joseph’s Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy their time at the club.

As they arrive they quickly settle into the activities with their friends. When children first start at the club they are gradually introduced. This ensures a smooth transition from home.

Staff get to know children's likes, dislikes and interests so that they can make children's favourite activities available to help them settle quickly. Staff interact with the children well. They encourage children to chat about what they have done in school and children share their news.

Younger children are eager to talk about themes they have been following in school, such as finding the ...'gingerbread man'. They excitedly discuss where he has been on his travels around the world. Children further express their thoughts as they make gingerbread men from dough, which complements their learning in school.

Children are very well behaved. They are polite and quick to use good manners. Children play cooperatively, share and take turns as they play board games.

Staff sit with the younger children and support them in their play, for example helping children with the rules of dominos. Consequently, relationships between staff and children are strong. Most of the staff work in school and are very familiar with the children.

This provides continuity of care.

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

Children have access to a good range of resources and activities both inside and outside. They take manageable risks and develop their physical skills as they play on the large equipment outdoors.

Children have fun as they run around, chase one another or play ball games. Indoors, they take part in arts and crafts, construction activities, games or read books. Children are fully engaged in the activities and show good levels of concentration.

Some children use their imaginations well as they make their own books and practise their writing skills.Children are provided with a range of healthy, nutritious food. Staff prepare this freshly on the premises.

Children have not yet been involved in the preparation of their food to help them further understand about portion size, food that is good for them and to promote independence skills. Children follow good hygiene measures and understand why this is important.Partnerships with parents are good.

The staff talk with parents at collection times to share information about their children's time at the club and information from school. Parents feel that they and their children have good relationships with staff. They say that their children talk enthusiastically about the activities they have participated in at the club and cannot wait to return.

Partnerships with other professionals, such as children's teachers, are well established. Staff work closely with them to share information and ensure children's needs, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are well supported.The manager supports staff to consistently develop their skills.

Staff have access to online training opportunities and they share good practice. Any knowledge gained from training is used for the benefit of the children. Recent training has included children's mental health to support children through the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff regularly observe each other to identify areas for improvement. Informal supervision meetings further support staff's performance.The manager reviews and monitors the club to ensure ongoing improvements.

The views of staff, parents and children are fully considered through discussions, questionnaires and observations of the children. Children's views influence the resources and activities on offer to ensure that children are fully involved in the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Recruitment procedures are thorough and the manager maintains information about staff's suitability to work with children. Staff carry out daily safety checks on aspects of the club to help ensure that children play in a safe environment. They have a sound understanding of safeguarding and are aware of the potential risks that children and their families may face.

Staff know the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child's welfare. All staff receive regular safeguarding training and are aware of a wide range of safeguarding issues, including how children can be exposed to extreme or radical views. As a result, children are protected.

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