St Mary’s CofE Infant School Before and After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff provide a calm, inviting, well-resourced play environment that inspires children to choose and use activities.

Children concentrate well, for example, as they play with modelling dough and make snowflakes using cardboard and wool.Staff know the children well. They provide a daily routine that is familiar to the children and supports them to feel happy and settled.

Children enjoy being at the club. This is evident as they tell staff 'I feel like I am at home.' Staff respond to the choices that children make during activities and support them well to achieve their aims.

For instance, when they decide to play g...ames of 'spot the difference' they engage children in conversation and build their confidence to say what they know and understand. Children thoroughly enjoy looking at pictures in geographic magazines and eagerly tell staff that overflowing rubbish bins are not good for the environment. Staff are positive role models.

They have clear expectations for children's behaviour. For example, they remind children how to play games of football cooperatively outdoors. Children behave well and form close friendships with staff and other children.

This is evident as children sometimes spontaneously hug their friends.

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

Managers have clear intent for children's care. They work effectively with staff to plan a wide range of activities.

Children develop a sense of achievement, for instance, as they use tools and modelling dough to make designs. They concentrate well and persist with using the resources.Children thoroughly enjoy playing outdoors.

For example, they confidently and energetically use ropes to pull themselves up raised ramps, ride scooters with control and play games of football.Staff support children to gain the skills they need for the future, such as social skills and independence. Children talk confidently with staff and their friends.

They willingly put on their coats, help to tidy up, re-fill water bottles, and clear away their plates at mealtimes.Staff set clear boundaries that help children share resources, take turns and play team games cooperatively. Children often make up their own games, discuss the rules and independently negotiate how they will play them.

Managers have effective oversight of the club. They continually supervise and support staff and ensure their well-being. Together, they continually improve outcomes for children.

For instance, they continually introduce resources that inspire children to use their imagination and be creative.Staff provide children with healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. They adapt menus to meet children's individual dietary needs and to accommodate their likes and dislikes.

Recently, staff have introduced some hot meals that provide children with a wider variety of food.Managers use robust recruitment and induction procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff fully understand their roles and responsibilities.

During each session, there are always staff present who know the children well, which ensures continuity of care.Staff communicate well with parents. The manager sends parents a termly newsletter, which informs them about activities, food provision and any changes to the club.

Staff talk with parents when they collect their children and share information about the activities and their children's well-being.Managers oversee staff deployment. They make sure there are always enough staff for the number of children present.

Staff work well as a team to assess any risks, supervise children and keep them safe. They support children to use the resources safely, for instance, when they decide to slide down a pole attached to a large pirate ship in the playground.Managers establish effective partnership with parents and teachers in the school where the club is located.

They communicate well to meet children's individual needs.Staff value and respect children's differences. They communicate with children in a positive way, for instance, while talking with them about their home lives and holidays.

Staff provide children with a range of activities that help children to recognise and celebrate different cultural and religious events.

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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