Woodhouses Out Of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children settle remarkably well at this calm and welcoming club. They arrive happily after a day in school. Staff greet children with a smile before they put their belongings away.

Children show a strong sense of belonging and talk positively about their club. Typical comments from children include, 'I just love the club. You get to spend more time with your friends than when you are in the classroom.'

Children show positive attitudes towards their play. For example, they concentrate while drawing pictures following their own ideas. Children draw an elephant and point out the different parts, such as the trunk, body and tw...o eyes.

They giggle while saying that elephants, 'use the trunk when they are thirsty' and can, 'squirt water out' of it. While colouring in pictures of fireworks, children discuss the new year. They practise writing by labelling their pictures with their names.

Children build their small-muscle skills while making pieces of art from junk materials, such as cutting a box to make a dragon's nest. They show good scissor control as they cut out paper stars. Staff interact with children, for example, when playing board games.

Children enjoy spending time outdoors. They show good coordination and large-muscle skills while running, kicking balls and using hula hoops.

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

The manager is dedicated to her vision of having a club where children, families and staff are happy.

She describes this as like belonging to one family. Self-evaluation is accurate and includes the views of staff, children and their parents. This helps the manager to identify ways to continue to improve the club.

Children choose the activities that they wish to partake in. For example, many decide to engage in role play and dress up as different characters. Children giggle while allowing the inspector to guess which character they are dressed as.

They have the opportunity to do their homework or read from their schoolbooks. However, there is scope to complement children's learning from school further. For example, the manager knows that she could gather information about children's current learning from their teachers.

Children are caring and well mannered. For example, they take the hands of their friends while deciding where to play. Staff promote children's positive behaviour, such as by giving children stickers.

Children were excited to find out who was chosen to eat at the 'special table'. This provides recognition for children who demonstrate the club rules, such as being respectful and kind towards others.Staff provide children with a range of healthy foods, including fruit, vegetables, sandwiches, milk and water.

Children say that drinking water helps to keep them 'hydrated'. Staff prioritise children's growing independence. For example, children help to tidy up and wipe the table in readiness for snack.

They independently wash their hands to, 'get rid of germs' before eating.Children are developing their communication and language skills. They were confident and curious to talk with the inspector.

Children were eager to describe what they had drawn, for example, when showing the inspector their picture of a pirate and a treasure map. They showed pride when talking about achieving a 'shine' award from school.The staff team is long serving.

Staff comment that the club is a 'fantastic' place to work. They value the support that the manager provides. Mandatory training is complete.

That said, the programme of professional development for staff does not focus on further developing their knowledge and skills.The manager understands the benefits of partnership working. For example, she has established positive links with the host school.

Parents have nothing but praise for the 'brilliant' club. They comment that it is the, 'heartbeat of the community' and that it is a, 'credit to the school'. Parents know that their children are well cared for and say that their children, 'absolutely love' attending the club.

They value the, 'unwavering devotion' of staff and their, 'genuine interest' in supporting children and their families.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager follows robust recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

Staff access safeguarding training and the manager checks that this is up to date, for example, by providing safeguarding quizzes at staff meetings. Staff understand how to keep children safe and protected from harm. They know the local referral procedures to follow, should there be concerns about children's welfare or the conduct of a colleague.

Staff understand a broad range of safeguarding issues, such as trafficking and county lines. They are trained in paediatric first aid. The premises are safe and secure.

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