St Mary’s Primary School 4-11 Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children confidently and happily arrive at the club. Children know the routine well and place their coats and bags at the side of the room. The manager and staff provide an environment for children to socialise with their friends.

The room is filled with excited conversations between children about their school day. Staff implement consistent expectations. For example, they place their hand in the air and children respectfully stop their conversations to listen to staff.

Staff explain what activities and resources are available for children to access. Children show a positive attitude and an eagerness to play.Children are ...thoughtful about others.

They feel safe and secure enough to ask staff for help and tell them when a friend is sad. Staff encourage children to make the rules of the club. As a result, children know and implement these well.

For example, children share and take turns and staff provide many opportunities for children to practise this through games and play. Older children take great delight in explaining the rules of games to their friends. Younger children are receptive of this and listen to their friends with interest and an eagerness to know how to play the game.

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

Staff successfully support children's physical play. They provide an abundance of activities and resources for children to select from. For example, children strengthen their leg muscles while skipping, they use their hand-eye coordination as they play swing ball and play chess with other children and staff.

Children enjoy moving their whole bodies as they dance and play football in the playground.Staff encourage children to follow hygiene routines to promote their good health. They encourage children to wash their hands on arrival and before eating.

Children carry this out confidently and independently. Staff monitor if younger children need any support. Children periodically use hand sanitiser, for example, when they come in from outdoor play.

Children benefit from nutritious snacks, which are hygienically prepared by staff. Staff encourage healthy food choices. For example, they provide a range of sandwiches, fruits, and salad for children to select from.

Staff ensure that foods are safe and suitable for all children. For example, they promptly identify if children have any allergies or dietary requirements and take measures to ensure their needs are met.The manager and staff have highly effective partnerships with the host school.

They regularly share information about children to support their welfare and well-being. Staff work closely with the school's special educational needs coordinator, to ensure that the needs of all children are met.Staff plan activities based on children's requests and current interests.

For instance, staff consult with children on their ideas. This helps children to feel involved and valued. For example, children complete a plan for the week, highlighting what they would like to play with.

Other children tell staff at the morning session what they would like out in the evening.Staff know that children enjoy imaginative play. They create a hairdressing role-play area.

Children giggle as they brush and plait each other's hair. Other children creatively act out narratives as they play with toy dragons and castles.Parents say that staff are amazing and brilliant.

They feel that they meet children's needs well. Parents appreciate the continuity of a stable staff team, for instance several staff work in the host school in addition to the club.Staff are experienced and established within the team.

Staff morale is high and they say that they feel supported in their roles. The manager and deputy provide ongoing support to staff. They ensure that their own knowledge is current through support and updates from specialist professional bodies.

This helps staff to continue to provide high-quality care and experiences for children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff are vigilant about the safety and security of the environment.

They implement effective risk assessments and consistently check the indoor and outdoor areas prior to children's arrival. Staff ensure that the main entrance is always locked to make sure that only authorised visitors can access the club. All staff complete safeguarding training.

Staff are aware of local safeguarding issues and know how to identify and appropriately respond to these concerns. Staff know how to recognise and report concerns relating to the conduct of other staff. Staff involved in the preparation and serving of food complete relevant food safety training.

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