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 happily gather with staff and friends at the meeting point in the school playground.

They confidently talk to staff about their day at school. This shows they feel safe and secure. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour.

Children listen carefully and follow their instructions. Staff remind children about road safety before they join the 'walking bus' back to the club. Children walk sensibly, holding hands with their partners.

They wait patiently with staff at pedestrian crossings, learning how to safely cross the road.Older children's play at the club has a positive impact on younger childre...n. They kindly invite younger children to join in with their activities, which extends children's communication, language and social skills.

For example, children pretend to be astronauts travelling to the moon. They talk about floating around in their spaceship because there is no gravity. Other children talk about being scientists.

They make plans to create potions with the spring blossom they observed on the walking bus.Children talk enthusiastically about the things they enjoy doing at the club. They talk about playing and having fun with their friends, describing outdoor play as a favourite activity.

They challenge themselves on climbing walls, join staff in ball games and run around energetically.

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

Staff recognise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's personal, social and emotional development. They have worked hard to reassure children that it is safe to socialise with their friends again.

Children enjoy a wide range of friendships with children from two schools and play cooperatively together.Staff know children well. They learn about children's interests and individual needs through discussions with children and their parents.

Staff communicate with the schools that children attend. They plan activities that follow children's interests and around topics that children are learning about at school.Staff promote British values.

Children are kind and helpful to their peers. They show empathy if their friends are upset and support them with cuddles. They take pride in having responsibilities within the setting.

Children take turns to serve fruit to their friends and help staff to clean up after snack. Furthermore, all children help to care for the setting. They look after the toys, and everyone helps to tidy up after playing.

Parent partnerships are strong. Parents speak positively about the provision and the consistent care their children receive. They describe staff as caring, empathetic, approachable and reassuring.

Parents talk about clear communication from staff about what children do at the club. They value the environment staff create for children of different ages. They describe how their children's social skills and confidence have developed since joining the club.

Staff promote healthy lifestyles. High levels of hygiene help to prevent the spread of infection. Children enthuse about the healthy snacks they receive.

Staff encourage them to be independent. Children serve their own drinks and help to prepare their own snacks. Staff plan activities outside that promote children's physical and mental health and well-being.

Staff encourage children to express themselves, and they listen to their views. They have created a 'My Worries' box, where children can share their concerns and views anonymously using messages or drawings. Children talk about how they use this box and how staff help them if they are worried.

This helps to keep children safe.Staff complete risk assessments to minimise risks. They risk assess the walking bus route and plan alternate routes if they observe hazards.

They closely monitor the number of children they collect and enlist more staff to help supervise the children if needed. This ensures safe ratios are always maintained. Management and staff should continue to monitor this closely to ensure children are safe.

Leaders and managers monitor the provision. They ensure staff complete training and regular refresher courses to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff work well as a team.

They state they feel supported by management. Management evaluate the provision and continually strive to improve. They have plans to use an online platform to further inform parents of what children do at the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The setting is safe and secure. All staff have a secure knowledge of safeguarding, including the 'Prevent' duty, county lines and female genital mutilation.

They can identify the signs of abuse and know the procedures to follow if they have any concerns. Management follows thorough recruitment and induction procedures. They complete regular supervision and staff well-being checks.

This ensures staff continue to be suitable to work with children. Safe collection procedures ensure that children can only be collected by those named by parents. Policies and procedures are in place and followed by staff to promote children's good health and welfare.

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