St Marys Breakfast and Afterschool Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff appreciate that children may have had an active day at school. They carefully plan the environment and play opportunities to ensure they meet the needs of the children.

There is a friendly family feel at the club. The children look out for each other. For instance, older children share the small construction bricks with their younger peers so that they can join in with the activity.

Children of all ages are eager to come into the club to meet up with friends and staff.The manager has implemented extremely effective settling-in procedures. All staff get to know children's personalities well.

This includes the...ir likes and dislikes. Younger children receive effective support from their key person. This helps staff establish secure and trusting relationships with children, who settle quickly and feel safe and secure at the club.

Children have a positive sense of belonging and high levels of self-esteem and well-being. They enjoy the company of other children and staff and show pride in their club.Staff attentively listen to the children who wish to talk about what they have been doing at school.

They have a genuine interest in the children's day and any future plans they might have. The children know the daily routines and enjoy a challenge. For instance, they like to see how quickly they can come into the club and register.

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

The manager is extremely enthusiastic about her role in supporting children and their families. The staff team works well together to ensure that they provide good-quality experiences for the children attending. For instance, they regularly complete online training to help develop their skills and knowledge.

Staff are vigilant and deployed effectively throughout the session to keep children safe at all times. Staff state that they feel valued and very supported in their role.Children have an array of opportunities to play outside.

For instance, they climb on the large play equipment. Children take managed risks in their play as they develop their physical skills and strengthen their muscles. The children enjoy playing tennis with the staff.

The staff make effective use of praise as they recognise the children's perseverance at tasks and achievements. For example, staff congratulate the children as they skilfully rally the ball to friends and develop their coordination and awareness of the space around them.Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour.

The children are exceptionally well behaved. They are kind to their friends and polite. They share resources and listen to each other's ideas.

For instance, the children play a helicopter game in the hall. They make up new rules to extend the game, such as receiving points if their helicopter lands in the bucket. The staff explain how to rub the straw attached to the propeller blades between the palms of their hands to make the helicopter fly.

They patiently support those children struggling to master the skill. Consequently, children have a real sense of achievement when eventually they manage to make their helicopter fly.The manager has established positive partnerships with parents.

The staff communicate with parents daily and talk about what their children have enjoyed doing while at the club. Parents report that their children thoroughly enjoy the different activities that they take part in. They state that their children always want to stay at the club and get very upset if they collect them early.

The manager has a secure working relationship with the staff at the school. There is a good exchange of information between staff, teachers and parents to ensure the needs of the children are always met. For instance, staff communicate regularly with teachers and pass on any information shared from them with parents.

The manager successfully provides children with a positive and consistent link between the school and the club.Creativity is a strong focus at the club. Children enjoy dressing up and engage in role play as they use their imagination to develop their social skills.

The children collaborate with friends as they engage in large construction activities. For example, staff provide children with a variety of blankets and covers. The children develop their problem-solving skills as they build elaborate dens to hide out and relax in.

There is a real sense of enjoyment and lots of laughter at the club as the children immerse themselves in their chosen activities.

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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