Sylvan Court Out of School Provision

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are keen and excited to attend the club, they are eager to have a snack and join in with the activities.

They chat and joke with staff, telling them about their day in school. Children are engaged in their play. They show enjoyment in what they are doing as they smile and laugh with one another and staff.

Staff encourage children to spend time, both inside and outside. Children show their agility as they throw hoops over cones. They work on their balance as they navigate the crates and balance beams.

This helps to promote children's physical development while they run and exercise in the fresh air.Childre...n benefit from quiet spaces where they can relax with a book. Older children act as excellent role models to those younger than them.

They are helpful, courteous and demonstrate positive behaviours. Younger children benefit from these interactions and develop a rich vocabulary and increased confidence as a result. Children take pride in their achievements and explain what they have done to achieve their 'smiley gold sticker' from school.

Children say 'the staff are really kind' and that they 'like the tasty food' at the club. They talk about how the outdoor area is always so much fun and that they like all the activities.

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

The owner and staff work well together.

Staff comment on how they feel supported by the owner. They have regular supervision meetings, which enable them to consider their professional development and personal well-being. The owner supports staff to attend relevant training in areas that interest them.

Staff have opportunities to learn through accessing a variety of training, including online learning.Staff support children to take managed risks well. For example, four-year-old children confidently use mallets to hammer in metal pegs.

They follow instructions well. Older children explain they can climb to the lower trunk of a tree. Staff supervise children closely and intervene when needed.

Children openly talk about their school day and are encouraged to express their ideas and make choices about what they want to do.Children are active learners and enjoy messy play. They delight in mixing sand and acorns calling it 'acorn soup'.

They squeeze dough using their hands and shape it. They stretch and pull the dough, helping to gradually strengthen the small hand muscles needed for them to become capable writers.Children's good health is promoted.

Staff provide children with a healthy snack. Children enjoy choosing what they would like to eat and select items to fill their own wraps. They wash their hands before eating, demonstrating good hygiene practice.

Staff provide a good range of activities, which support children's interests and enhances learning with links to school. For example, young children explore the pumpkin and the seeds inside of it, using words such as 'gooey, slimy' and 'slippery', to describe the pumpkin flesh. Staff leave plenty of time for children to formulate and express their opinions when asking them questions.

Children display good behaviour. They know what staff expect of them and follow instructions without hesitation, for example when lining up to go outside after snack. Children are well mannered and polite.

Children thrive on responsibilities they are given by staff, such as leading their line from the club out of school each day.Parents speak highly of the staff and activities on offer at the club. They say they know their children are safe at the club.

Parents comment strongly on the warmth and care the staff provide to the children. They say that their children enjoy attending and often do not want to go home at the end of the session. Staff work closely in partnership with parents and the school children attend, ensuring key information is shared.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The premises are safe and secure. Recruitment procedures are robust which helps to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

Staff receive annual safeguarding training, and leaders make sure that this knowledge is up to date. Staff have training in paediatric first aid. They know how to keep children safe and protected from harm.

They understand the referral procedures and the steps to follow if they have concerns about children's welfare or the conduct of a colleague. The environment is safe and secure. Staff complete a daily risk assessment before children arrive.