Whittington After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children cheerfully arrive at the out-of-school club.

They take off their bags and coats as they happily chat with their friends. Staff offer activities that are centred around children's interests, ideas, and suggestions. Children show that they feel safe and secure, as they confidently explore the activities that appeal to them.

Children use their imagination. They play in the home corner, pretending to cook pizza. Children pretend to fly an aeroplane through the air.

They smile and confidently tell visitors about their own experiences of going on an aeroplane. Children squeal with delight as they run outside in... the snow. Staff help children to make a snowman.

Children excitedly search for sticks to use as the snowman's arms. Children tell staff that they have made an abominable snowman. Children have an enjoyable time at the out-of-school club.

For example, they laugh as they lay in the snow, moving their arms and legs to make snow angels. Children feel a sense of achievement as staff praise them for their creations. Staff encourage children of all ages to play together.

Older children are receptive to this and happily invite younger children to join in with their play.

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

Partnership working with the host school is effective. Staff are inclusive and ensure that the individual needs of children are met.

For example, they communicate regularly with school staff and attend meetings with other professionals. As a result, children receive a consistent approach from all staff. This supports children's emotional needs and overall well-being.

Staff help children's growing independence. For example, during mealtimes they encourage children to butter their own crackers and toast. Older children pour their own drinks and staff provide encouragement and support for younger children to learn these skills safely.

Staff are vigilant about children's individual health needs. For example, they provide a varied and nutritious menu, which caters for children's specific dietary requirements. Staff promote children's good health.

For instance, they maintain up-to-date records about children's health. This helps staff to quickly recognise when children are displaying symptoms of illness and take prompt and appropriate action.Good hygiene practices are in place.

For example, staff provide children with appropriate handwashing and drying facilities. Staff encourage children to implement robust hand hygiene at appropriate times throughout the session. This helps to prevent the spread of illnesses and infections.

Children behave well. For example, when playing on the computer they follow the rules set by staff. Children are eager to help, for instance without prompting they help staff to tidy the toys and activities away.

Staff thank children for their assistance. This helps to build positive relationships and mutual respect.Children show great interest and concentration at the craft table.

Staff provide empty sweet wrappers for children to use in their artwork. Children look at the different colours in awe. They skilfully use a range of tools, such as scissors and glue sticks, to create pictures and make bracelets.

Staff support children's social skills. For example, they plan for all children to sit together during mealtimes. Children talk about their school day and events at home.

They avidly discuss their current interest, for instance children explain the immune system and how the body reacts to infections.Parents comment that they are pleased with the care provided at the club. They say that children speak positively about what they have been doing and the friends they have played with.

Parents feel that staff keep them well informed about how children have been at the club.The established staff team work well together. For example, they regularly share good practice and updates with one another.

The manager and staff frequently meet to discuss any concerns and training needs. Staff have access to a host of online training. For example, some staff have recently used this to refresh their safeguarding knowledge.

This helps staff to continue to promote the welfare of children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff are confident in the steps to take in the event of an allegation against a member of staff.

They know and understand the role of the local authority designated officer. Staff can recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and know how to report concerns about the welfare of children. Staff ensure that the premises are secure, to prevent unauthorised visitors and to prevent children leaving unsupervised.

Staff who are responsible for preparing meals and snacks complete food hygiene training. Staff carry out risk assessments to ensure the safety of the premises and the environment. They quickly identify risks and take appropriate action to reduce them.