The Terrapins Out of Hours Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive ready for the afternoon's play.

They welcome each other and look at what is available to do. Children eagerly involve themselves in activities available. The manager and her team plan effectively, enabling children to have fun and learn in this well-resourced and friendly club.

Children play happily together and develop great social skills in a sensitive and respectful environment. Staff help to teach children how to share and take turns by providing group games such as 'rounders' and 'snakes and ladders'. Staff know children well.

They use children's interests to develop a programme of activities ...linked to themes, currently all about summer. Children learn about keeping themselves safe in the sun. They enjoy making colourful sunglasses, using ribbons, glitter and gems.

Staff introduce exciting activities for children. They provide a broad range of toys and resources, indoors and outdoors, to boost children's confidence and get them active. A group of children set up their own cricket game, arranging teams of 'bowlers', 'batters' and 'fielders'.

Children enjoy involving staff in what they discover. For example, children spend some time exploring pipettes and how wet sand can still be drawn up. Staff show a real interest in children.

They praise and acknowledge children's efforts and success. This gives children a strong sense of belonging and pride in their achievements.Staff have clear expectations of behaviour, which children match.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff give children positive attention as they play together. There is clear, mutual respect and care for each other.

Staff actively listen as children talk about their thoughts and feelings about leaving school. This helps children to feel heard, respected and comforted.

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

A clear aim of the club is to help develop friendships and make it easier for children to mix with others who are not in the same class as them and with children in different age groups.

This inclusive practice gives older children the opportunity to be helpful, patient and tolerant of younger children. This supports younger children's developing social skills and cooperation.The manager provides individual attention and support to all staff, including those newly appointed.

However, there is no consistent system in place to track and develop staff practice and ensure that their skills continue to progress.Staff build strong relationships with parents. Parents like the clear and regular communication at handover.

They appreciate that staff do all they can to meet their needs. Parents value the club and the positive impact it has on their children. They say their children love coming to the club and enjoy the interesting range of fun activities.

Staff support children to think about and practise being safe and healthy. Children know to wash their hands before and after snack without prompting. Children thoroughly enjoy making and eating fruit kebabs.

They carefully use skewers. They choose from berries, pineapple, grapes and apples.The manager is passionate and enthusiastic.

She has built strong relationships with families, staff and the school community. Links with teaching staff in school enables staff to provide consistent support for children. The manager ensures that activities meet children's needs.

She is committed to providing resources and offering interaction with children to broaden their knowledge and skills.Staff step back and observe play. They use the knowledge gained to inspire and develop further play ideas.

For example, discussion about friendship bracelets leads to an activity where children make them. Children show adults how to make different designs. This helps children to feel valued and enables them to lead their own play.

Staff supervise children well. They check with each other as children go home. Children ask staff to go outdoors.

This means there is good understanding of where children are playing as they move between the indoor and outdoor areas. Staff move between areas well to ensure children's safety.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff are aware of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities to protect children and keep them safe from harm. All staff complete safeguarding training. Staff demonstrate an understanding of how to recognise potential signs of abuse.

They know what to do and who to contact should they have a concern about a child or a member of staff. The manager completes checks to ensure the suitability of staff to work with children. The manager completes a daily risk assessment.

She regularly checks the perimeter gates to make sure the outdoor area is safe and secure. All staff hold current paediatric first-aid certificates. They know how to complete accident forms and how to record and monitor injuries.

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