The Parachute Out of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements This is a vibrant club, filled with the excited noise of children at play. Children have three large rooms to explore, which are filled with a wide range of activities and resources.

They can practise playing keyboards, learn dance routines on games consoles, or role play in the home corner. Some children create snowmen and hedgehogs using the autumnal-themed craft resources. Others produce intricate sand art designs.

Such activities help children to develop the small muscles in their hands. Staff change activities according to children's interests. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour.

As a result..., children rarely squabble and are considerate of each other's feelings. Children of all ages, and from a variety of local schools, get on well with each other. They take turns in their play and offer help to each other, without prompting.

For example, older children help those younger than them to build houses out of blocks. Young children have the opportunity each day to take part in activities in a quieter area. This gives them chance to consolidate some of their learning from school.

For example, staff check their ability to recognise and write certain numbers and letters.Parents are complimentary about how quickly staff help their children settle in at the club and make friends. They feel that the daily opportunities to be active benefit their children's health.

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

Observations of what children can do are shared regularly with parents and school. This is highly valued by parents, who get to see what their children have been learning about at the club. However, sometimes, staff do not work closely with the school to better complement children's learning.

For example, staff are not aware of the next steps in children's learning, or the specific aspects the teachers are helping children to achieve.Managers ensure that children have lots of chances for physical play, both indoors and outside. Children have access to the host school's large yard and playing fields where they can run around and take part in different bat and ball games.

Inside, children involve staff in their active play. Boys are particularly keen to demonstrate their dancing skills and try to beat the staff in competitions in the process. This gives them chance to take pride in their successes and develop their resilience when they lose.

There is a strong key-person system in place. Parents know who their child's key person is and receive lots of information about their child's day and what they have enjoyed doing.Snack time brings the children together to sit and eat in large sociable groups.

Children talk about how they enjoy the food provided. The club provides a selection of hot food, with some fresh fruit and vegetables. The main meals are not always nutritious, as some of what is provided is pre-packaged convenience foods, such as hot dogs and packet pasta.

Staff acknowledge this is an area they can improve on and are keen to do so. At snack times, the youngest children are not able to demonstrate their growing independence as staff pour drinks for children, when they are able to do this for themselves.On the whole, children have excellent opportunities to be independent.

For example, they can select which activities to take part in and who they want to play with. At other times, they simply choose to relax after school.Children say that 'staff are really kind and keep us safe'.

They talk about the 'fantastic trips' when attending the holiday club, to places such as play farms and safari parks.Managers ensure that screen time on games consoles is limited. Children are safe when using these devices as any that are linked to the internet are subject to stringent access restrictions.

Staff follow the club's policy in relation to electronic devices. As such, children are not permitted to bring their own devices to the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff make certain that all areas of the club are secure. Adults are unable to get onto the premises unless granted access by staff. Children are safely transported from the surrounding schools to the club.

Staff have a good knowledge of indicators of abuse, and what to do if they are concerned about a child. The club's safeguarding and child protection policies are comprehensive. They set out which professional agencies staff are to report matters to if they are concerned about a child.

Staff are well deployed and supervise children in all the rooms, which ensures their safety. Leaders ensure that staff have received training in wider safeguarding matters. As a result, staff are alert to indicators of abuse or concerns about children's well-being.

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