St Swithuns After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and at ease in the safe and welcoming environment.

They demonstrate high levels of self-esteem and confidence while leading their own play. Children are eager to take part in a broad range of activities, which staff plan well around their interests and learning in school.Children confidently chat to staff, the inspector and each other about their day at school and are happy to share their experiences.

They have opportunities to develop their physical skills and coordination, inside and outside. For instance, staff help children persevere as they learn to accurately aim the ball over the benches and towar...ds the person on the other side, while they play dodge ball. Children enjoy this and smile with pleasure as they are successful, which encourages them to try again.

Children have good opportunities to be physically active during outdoor team and other group games. They have access to plenty of outdoor space to run, climb, explore, throw, kick and roll. Children use the space well to extend their movements, using equipment to challenge their existing skills.

Children develop a good understanding of the natural world and wider subjects through a variety of activities. For example, they join in with a gardening club, science club and an art and craft club.

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

Staff report that they are supported well by the leadership team.

They are given access to regular training to enhance their skills and knowledge. Leaders understand the importance of ensuring there is support in place for staff's well-being. They reward and praise staff across the company for their achievements.

Leaders celebrate and share good practice to help develop and encourage the standards of their whole workforce.Children behave exceptionally well. Leaders and managers are good role models and show strong leadership skills by modelling good practise.

The well-organised programme of activities means that sessions run smoothly and staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. Interactions with children are relaxed, fun and respectful. Staff work well as a team and support each other.

For example, every staff member carries a walkie-talkie to ensure children are sufficiently supervised at all times.Staff support children to follow good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands prior to meals and snacks. Children understand the routines and remember to tell a member of staff when they are going to go to the toilet, to support their safety and security.

Mealtimes are sociable occasions, where children eat together and discuss what they have been doing at school and the activities they enjoy at the club. Staff encourage children to be independent, for example, they butter toast and spread toppings. However, occasionally, staff miss opportunities to enhance children's awareness of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, such as the importance of making healthy food choices.

The manager recognises that more could be done to provide children with a wider variety of healthy food choices.Leaders and staff work effectively in partnership with parents and the host school. There is a strong emphasis on working together to provide consistent care and experiences for all children who attend, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Leaders are enthusiastic and experienced. They work well together to reflect on the service they provide and are open to suggestions on ways to improve the club. Children's interests are regularly sought to ensure their interests are reflected in the club activities.

Parents speak positively about the club. They comment that their children enjoy coming to the club and that they are happy with the service provided. Parents say that staff are kind and caring with their children.

They also praise the club staff for the effective communication channels, that keep them informed about their child's day at school.Staff ensure the indoor and outdoor environments are safe and secure. They continually assess the risks to children during activities.

Staff recognise the needs and behaviours of each child and use this information to anticipate and prevent accidents.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures.

They undertake safeguarding training to update their knowledge. They know who to contact for advice and how to follow up on any potential concerns. The directors of the club use safer recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitable to work with children.

Ongoing checks on staff are part of a robust approach to keeping children safe. The manager carries out risk assessments to identify and remove any hazards, so it is safe for children to play. He completes written accident forms to inform parents if any accident occurs.

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