Victoria House Out of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children settle quickly into the club once they arrive from school. Children are happy and enjoy their time at the club.

They have strong bonds with the staff and enjoy sharing information about their day with them. Staff know the children very well and use this knowledge to plan activities that they know they will like. For example, staff have found resources in the newspaper about the World Cup, as children expressed an interest in this earlier in the week.

This means children engage in activities for prolonged periods of time and have fun. Children contribute to the planning of the activities too. Children have a reques...t board where they plan what activities they would like to take part in that week.

Staff value the children's opinions, and children play a big part in making improvements at the club. Children have invented ways to support all the other children at the club. For example, they have made a worry box.

This is a safe place for all the children to share their feelings with staff. Children have also started a reward system for those who help with the jobs in the club, for example laying the table at teatime and pouring drinks for each other. This gives the children a sense of pride, promotes independence and builds confidence.

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

Children behave very well at the club. They listen and respond to staff instructions. For example, they wash their hands before eating and help to stack plates when they have finished eating.

The routines of the session are familiar and clearly embedded in their time at the club.Children are strongly encouraged to be independent. Older children make their own way into the club.

They know to check in with staff at the register and put their things away. This helps to build confidence and responsibility as they move through their learning journey.Managers offer all new staff a thorough induction programme.

They ensure all staff benefit from ongoing supervision, support and training to help them develop their skills. Staff comment that they feel well supported in their roles. Overall, this has a positive impact on the quality of the care the children receive.

Partnership working with the on-site primary school is strong. The headteacher and class teachers share information with the club to support the children's learning and well-being. The school speaks very highly of the club and feels it is a real asset to the community.

The club is inclusive. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff obtain information from parents and work closely with the school to make sure all the children's needs are met.

This means that all children can access the provision.Parents speak very highly about the club. They comment their children love coming to the club and often do not want to leave.

Parents say the children adore the staff and the many different resources available to keep them busy. The staff share information verbally with parents when they collect their child. They have also started a new online system to share key messages and updates.

This helps to promote continuity for children between the club and home.Staff spend time teaching the children about religious festivals and celebrating what makes them unique. During teatime, they discuss as a whole group the things they do in their spare time.

This gives children an insight into other people's backgrounds and teaches them about diversity. Children show respect for their peers and encourage each other to share their ideas. They show kindness and a willingness to help each other at the club.

Staff regularly praise the children and are good role models.Children continue to build on their understanding of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. The manager and staff provide children with nutritious snacks, including fresh fruit and vegetables.

They also promote good hygiene regimes, including routine handwashing and access to fresh drinking water. Children also have access to a large outdoor area that they use to practise their physical skills.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Managers and staff fully understand their role and responsibility to keep children safe. The have sound safeguarding knowledge. They understand the procedures to follow if they have a concern about a child's welfare.

The premises are safe and secure. Staff ensure the safe collection of children and follow procedures if they do not know the person who has arrived to collect a child. There is a thorough recruitment process in place, and all staff are suitably vetted to work with children.

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