The Weatheralls Out of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children have a thoroughly enjoyable time at this well-managed club. They arrive with happy smiles and settle quickly to their self-chosen activities. Children take an active role in deciding on what they would like to do.

They add to the planning board and confidently express their ideas to staff. Children have quiet places to relax and unwind. Staff provide interesting reading material, such as comics and age-appropriate story books.

Some children read these avidly, clearly enjoying the stories. After a busy day at school, many children choose to play on the school playground. Energetic football games involve children of... different ages, helping them to widen their social networks.

Children have excellent relationships with staff and each other. They behave well and show respect and kindness for one another. Staff are good role models.

They greet children with affection when they arrive and take time to talk to children and find out about their day. Children mark festivals from other cultures, such as Chinese New Year. However, they have fewer opportunities to learn more about their own and each other's lifestyles, religions and languages.

Children enjoy social mealtimes. They help staff to choose the healthy food options and demonstrate their independence as they prepare snacks and serve themselves.

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

Managers and staff have an effective working relationship with the host school.

They have regular meetings with the headteacher to share what they know about children's welfare and development. Staff plan activities in the club that complement what children learn in school. For example, they encourage children to write poems or stories linked to school topics.

All of this helps to provide children with continuity in their care and learning.Managers provide staff with strong and consistent support. Staff feel they are a valued part of a cohesive team.

They benefit from regular meetings with managers where they share ideas and plan for future professional development. Staff say managers have a sensitive and supportive approach and take good account of their personal lives, which helps to promote their health and welfare.Children confidently express their ideas.

They have high levels of independence and take an active part in organising activities and resources. They freely adapt activities to extend their own interests and learning experiences. Children mould shapes from shaving foam and hide animal models in it to add to their enjoyment.

Children adeptly make up their own games, such as kicking footballs at designated targets.Children say they feel safe at the club and have confidence that staff will help them to deal with any problems. Older children comment that staff respond to their changing needs and interests.

Staff make sure activities retain children's interest, even though children have been attending the club 'forever'. Children contribute photographs and comments to an ongoing scrap book, which they look through and recall what they have enjoyed in the past.Parents are very complimentary about the club and staff.

They feel well informed about the activities and routines. They know the staff well and understand procedures to follow if they have to raise any concerns. Staff send parents regular newsletters to tell them about future events and comment on the success of past events.

Staff implement safe procedures for the collection of children and no child leaves the club unaccompanied by a responsible adult.Children enjoy being creative. They make complex models from interlocking bricks and produce highly imaginative drawings and paintings.

Staff encourage children to develop practical skills too, such as cooking. Children show good cooperative skills as they make flapjacks together. They help each other to follow the recipe and weigh and measure the ingredients.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Managers and staff have a thorough understanding of the possible signs of abuse. They receive regular training to keep their knowledge of the procedures to follow up to date.

Written policies and procedures are easily available and a staff member who is qualified to lead safeguarding incidents is always present. Staff make daily checks of the areas used by the children to make sure they play safely. Managers implement thorough recruitment procedures to make sure anyone working with children is suitable.

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