The Cool Club (Chepstow)

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are greeted by the kind and friendly staff team. They are familiar with the club's consistent routine, and place their belongings away in individual baskets. Children are pleased to see their friends and sit around in small groups as a healthy snack is prepared by staff.

They show each other toys they have brought in from home and discuss their experiences of the school day. Children follow effective hygiene routines and sanitise their hands with antibacterial gel before they line up to collect their snack. They choose from a selection of fruit and vegetables, alongside cheese or ham, to have with their pitta bread.
...r/>Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise. They have opportunities to develop their balance, strength and coordination as they play on climbing apparatus in the school playground. Staff support young children to play group games, such as football, and hide-and-seek tag.

They are good role models and support them to follow the rules of the game. Children are eager to take part in adult-led craft activities. They stain white paper with tea as they make treasure maps.

Children create their own pirate eye patch. They display their creativity as they decorate them with drawings and stickers.

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

On induction, staff gather a range of information from parents about their children.

They find out about their interests, likes and dislikes, as well as what tasks they may need help or support with. Staff use this information to plan experiences for children's time at the club. This helps children to settle promptly and feel safe and secure.

The transition period at the end of the school day is managed well. Young children are met by staff in the hall and a verbal handover takes place with their class teacher. Staff seek any additional information from teachers about children's time at school, so this can be passed on to parents at collection time.

Staff have effective procedures in place to promote children's behaviour. They recognise and award children for behaving well, such as listening to their friends, showing kindness to others and being respectful. Staff place children's name on a trophy display board.

This promotes children's confidence and self-esteem.The manager and staff establish effective links with the host school. They communicate well and make sure they seek further information about children if required.

For example, when older children are booked in to attend the club and do not arrive at the hall, the manager works with school administration staff to clarify if they are absent or have been collected by parents early.Children make choices about the activities they would like to take part in. They ask staff if they can access toys and resources from the club's cupboard in the school hall.

Staff agree to this and supervise children as they search for a specific colouring book. However, staff are yet to find ways to better organise resources to fully promote children's choice and independence during their time at the club.Children form good friendships with their peers.

For example, when children have finished eating their snack, they make plans to meet outside in the playground, by the tree next to the gate. Children enjoy playing board games. They take turns to put the swords into a barrel and shriek with laughter as a pirate pops up.

Young children create different-coloured patterns with the small plastic swords. They are confident when visitors approach them and proudly state 'Look, it goes blue, yellow, blue, yellow'.The manager works alongside the staff team on a regular basis.

She ensures that new team members are suitably mentored and understand the club's policies and procedures. The manager recognises the importance of self-evaluation. However, she is yet to identify ways to effectively gather children and parents views on the club, to enhance children's experiences further.

Children display a secure awareness of safety practices. Older children display their consideration for those younger than them and pick up an item they have dropped on to the floor. They proudly tell staff what they have done and explain that this 'is to stop somebody from tripping over'.

Staff show their gratitude to children and praise their responsible behaviour.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff complete daily visual safety checks on all areas of the club before children arrive.

This ensures that risks are minimised and children access a safe and secure environment. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding practice. They attend regular training to make sure that their knowledge of child protection procedures remain up to date.

Staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse. They know the procedures to follow to report concerns regarding children's welfare. Staff are familiar with procedures to follow should they be concerned about a colleague's practice.

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