St Mary’s Bradley Stoke Out of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children happily greet staff at their classroom door.

They are eager to share what they have done during the day as they walk through the school. Once they have reached their playroom they immediately settle to play, choosing what to do from a wide range of activities on offer. Staff promote children's independence as they play and engage them in meaningful conversation.

Children have good opportunities to be active. They engage in a variety of physical activities on the school playground. For example, using scooters and playing hide and seek.

Children demonstrate a secure understanding of how to keep themselves s...afe. They know that to ride on wheeled vehicles they must wear appropriate safety headgear. Older children are good role models to the youngest children.

Children are kind and courteous to each other, remembering to say please and thank you as they share resources. They interact happily with one another and behave well. Children speak very highly of the staff and setting.

For example, they state that staff are very kind and loving towards them. They explain how staff are attentive to their needs, 'they would notice if I was sad and give me ideas on how to feel better'. Children build meaningful relationships with staff and their friends.

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

Leaders make thorough evaluations of the service the club provides. They effectively use feedback from children, parents, and staff to make changes which benefit children. Consequently, children thoroughly enjoy their time at the club.

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. The manager and staff are good role models for children. Staff encourage children to find solutions to minor conflicts by considering another's point of view.

They do this through sensitive, effective conversation. Children are highly respected at this setting and staff are genuine in their interactions.Children enjoy being creative as they build complex models out of small bricks.

Staff motivate children further to inspire their imaginative play. They set challenges that support children to extend their own learning. For example, staff encourage a child to think about what he needs to do next with his model, 'I am creating an aeroplane, the wings have to be equal, otherwise it will crash.'

Leaders and staff want the best for children. Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to staff's professional development. For example, ensuring they have a range of training opportunities available to them.

Staff enjoy their roles and leaders ensure the well-being of their team.Children develop a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. The club provides a wide range of healthy snacks.

Children learn to take responsibility for the cleanliness and hygiene of the club. For example, using the washing-up station. Children take their plates and cups and wash and dry them once they have finished their meal.

Partnerships with the host school are excellent. The regular two-way communication ensures staff understand how children may be feeling when they leave school. Staff share observations on the youngest children's progress with their class teacher.

The manager liaises extremely well with the host school to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, as dusk falls children excitedly use the torches on the playground.

Children explain it also helps staff to see them and keep them safe. When younger children start at the club, they take part in a tour of the environment to identify any hazards with staff.Parents are very complimentary about the club.

Parents say their children are excited to go there. They state that the staff are friendly, caring, and professional. Parents praise the communication they receive at the end of the day and how staff share valuable information from the host school.

The club is proud of the support it provides the school community and families.The club incorporates a highly successful key-person system for the youngest children. Alongside this, the oldest children and youngest children 'buddy up'.

This allows children to build secure relationships, promotes their well-being and further strengthens children's experiences.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff are confident in their knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe from harm.

Staff undertake regular training to ensure their knowledge of safeguarding is current. Staff know the correct procedures to follow if they need to report a concern about a child or another member of staff. Leaders take great care to ensure staff understand their responsibilities.

They ensure recruitment procedures are robust and induction processes are effective. The setting has good health and safety procedures in place. For example, leaders ensure staff receive additional training to support children's medical and health needs.

Also at this postcode