The Pelican Out Of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children thoroughly enjoy attending this welcoming setting.

They are happy to see staff and eagerly exchange their news with them. The good partnership working with parents and the school aids staff in building a very good understanding of children's needs and interests. This sensitive understanding of each child helps children to feel secure and settle quickly.

Children respond to the positive environment. They work well together and understand one another's needs. For example, children playing chess support each other as they remember the rules.

They recognise that the players need time to think and sensitively ...allow this. These daily experiences assist children in building the skills that underpin their learning. Children respond to staff's excellent example and to their high expectations regarding behaviour.

Staff support children well in resolving minor disputes and understanding feelings. Children are kind and caring towards one another. For example, older children thoughtfully explain games to younger ones, making sure they understand and are included.

Well-planned daily routines, such as walking safely from the school to the club, promote children's safety. Ongoing discussions further support children's understanding of safety. For instance, children know why they need to stop playing football to allow people to walk past.

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

Staff work well as a team and demonstrate a genuine enjoyment of working with children. Effective supervision supports staff in reviewing and developing their practice further. They work together to review all areas and make ongoing improvements.

For example, the extended use of outdoor areas offers children increased play opportunities. There are plans to increase this further, for instance, through offering children the chance to grow fruit and vegetables.Staff appreciate that this is out-of-school care and promote the club's aims of offering children time to have fun, enjoy themselves and be able to relax after a busy day at school or during school holidays.

They successfully combine this with offering children appealing activities, intervening appropriately to help children extend their play. For example, staff encourage children playing football to set up a further goal, talk about how to score and discuss the rules of the game.The provision of a wide variety of reading materials, many of which reflect children's interests, successfully encourages children's enjoyment of books and reading.

For instance, children choose books related to their favourite cartoon characters. They study these and are inspired to produce their own illustrations.Staff interact well with children and promote their language and communication skills.

For example, they encourage children to talk about the pictures they are drawing. Children practise their language skills as they engage in role play, deciding which characters to play and inventing a scenario.Staff know the children well and offer activities related to children's interests.

For example, children who enjoy crafts express their creativity and develop control of their small-hand muscles as they select craft items and carefully place these to create pictures and cards.Children have many opportunities, such as playing football and tennis and using static play equipment, that aid them in developing their physical skills. Ongoing discussions, for example talking about a balanced diet when planning what to have for tea, support children in understanding healthy lifestyle choices.

Well-planned, practical activities and routines support children in developing their understanding of differences and in respecting the needs of others. For example, during school holidays, children care for the plants and trees in the pre-school garden and on the school grounds. The use of local facilities, such as parks, the library and shop, aid children in understanding their community and feeling part of this.

Parents praise staff and appreciate the care they take in getting to know the children. They report that their children love attending the club, noting the many activities and play opportunities children enjoy. Staff communicate well with parents, keeping them up to date with what their children have been doing.

They use information from parents to better understand children's needs and interests.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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