Topmark After School Club Gordonbrock

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are well settled and happy at this after-school club. Staff have access to various spaces within the school, where they provide a range of activities.

Children are free to make independent choices about the activities they engage with. Staff supervise children well and ensure that games are inclusive and fun. In the playground, children can climb, play ball games and fully extend their physical skills.

Inside there are opportunities to play boardgames, create imaginative artworks at the craft table and other calm activities.Children listen carefully and follow the instructions from staff. At the start of every ses...sion, children sit together and remind each other of the rules and expected behaviour.

Older children are observed treating their younger peers kindly and including them in games. Children enjoy their time at the club. They say they like that they can choose what they want to do depending on how they feel.

Children have time to play with their classmates and make new friends. This contributes to a positive atmospher,e where children get time to relax, socialise and have fun at the end of the school day.

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

Children demonstrate a strong understanding of the club rules.

For example, while they can run outdoors in the playground, they make sure to walk safely when they are indoors. This helps children to feel a sense of responsibility for keeping everybody safe.The youngest children at the club have a designated key person to ensure they integrate well into the club and make friends.

This supports Reception-age children and ensures their needs are met. The key person reminds children to use the toilet and wash their hands. This helps children to settle into the routine and confidently engage with activities.

Children thoroughly enjoy sports and games organised by staff. They also use their imaginations to make new games. Staff are on hand to join in and talk to children.

Staff help children resolve any disputes and monitor behaviour. Staff engage children in conversation about their day and how they feel. Children feel comfortable talking to staff if they have any problems or if they are upset.

A member of staff prepares a light snack and it is served mid-way through the session. This accommodates any children who arrive at the club from other extra-curricular activities they attend in the school. Children sit together to eat and say they enjoy the food at the club.

Staff sit with children and they enjoy friendly conversation together. This supports children to socialise and take a rest before energetic games towards the end of the session.Managers are reflective and have made recent changes to improve the induction programme.

They have supported staff with training to help them develop their skills. Staff comment that they feel well supported in their roles. This has a positive impact on the quality of the care children receive at the club.

There is a highly effective working relationship with the out-of-school club and the headteacher of the school. Teachers share information with club staff when required to support children's learning and well-being. This ensures continuity for children's learning and a coordinated approach for those children who may need additional help and support.

This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.Staff role model the behaviour expected of the children in their care. Staff and children treat others with respect and tolerance.

Staff are confident to discuss any incidents of discrimination or inappropriate language. They explore this with children and help them to understand the impact of their behaviour on others. This helps children gain a good understanding of right from wrong.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff understand their role and responsibility to promote children's well-being and keep them safe. Staff receive regular safeguarding briefings to keep their knowledge of child protection current.

They understand the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about the welfare of a child. Staff ensure they follow the club's safe collection procedure to ensure children are collected by a known adult. There is a robust recruitment process in place, and all staff are suitably vetted to work with children.

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