St Winifred’s Out of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements The atmosphere in the club is happy, friendly and supportive. Children of all ages play very well together.

They follow the golden rules for good behaviour. Older children talk proudly of their responsibility to look after younger children and act as their 'special friend'. This helps young children to settle well and feel confident as they become familiar with new routines.

Leaders and staff are enthusiastic and committed to providing children with stimulating experiences after their school day. They form close bonds with children and clearly want them to feel valued and included and to develop a sense of belonging. Staff... keep children safe and closely supervise them as they move between areas.

High-visibility vests enable children to be easily identified when they walk to and from school or play outside.Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the club. They say there are 'lots of things to do' and they particularly enjoy knitting and baking.

Children have good opportunities to play outside and practise their physical skills. They help to maintain the nature garden where they learn how to grow a wide range of produce, such as potatoes, carrots and pumpkins.

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

Children are confident and motivated in their play.

They quickly engage in a wide range of experiences, such as colouring, card games and small-world play. Staff plan cultural activities that help children to appreciate diversity, for example making lanterns for Chinese New Year.Relationships among staff, children and parents are very positive.

Staff engage young children in conversations and praise them for 'lovely talking'. They listen carefully to children. One example of this is when children explain how to use tricky resources, such as the tiny elastic bands.

Staff give high priority to children's safety and welfare. They support children to manage their own safety and teach them about dangers. For example, they remind children not to walk around while eating a piece of fruit in case they choke.

Children learn to keep themselves healthy and active. They visit the bathroom independently and remember to wash their hands. Children eat a selection of healthy snacks and help themselves to drinking water.

They enjoy chasing bubbles outside and practising how to aim and throw balls through hoops.Teamwork is strong. Staff work well together and are very supportive of each other.

Leaders promote staff development through regular meetings and ongoing training. They seek the views of parents to help them improve. One way they do this is by asking parents to complete a 'settling-in survey'.

Staff manage children's behaviour consistently well. They deal with minor disagreements quickly and in a way that helps children manage their feelings and understand how their behaviour affects others.Children are respectful and polite and learn how to share and take turns as they play.

They know what is expected of them and willingly comply with routines. One example of this is during register time, when a flick of the lights tells children they need to stop what they are doing, listen and respond to their name.Links with the host school are strong.

Leaders meet with Reception teachers to discuss how they can support children to settle into school and the club. Staff find out what children are learning about in school, for instance global warming. They look at ways to extend this further.

For example, they organise a 'name the tree' competition and create informative displays about wildlife.Feedback from parents is highly complimentary. Parents report that communication with staff is excellent.

They describe staff as friendly, caring and nurturing and say they take time to get to know the children as individuals. Parents feel reassured that children are in safe hands and they think the manager runs the club 'like clockwork'.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders make sure all staff regularly attend safeguarding training to refresh their knowledge of child protection procedures. This includes training on how to prevent children being exposed to risks of radicalisation. Staff know how to refer any concerns about children or adults to the manager and other relevant authorities.

They meticulously follow stringent procedures to keep children safe, particularly regarding collection procedures. Staff are well deployed and remain in contact with one another using two-way radios. They constantly relay messages about children's whereabouts to help ensure children are safely accounted for.

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