ZigZag Out Of School Clubs (St Pancras)

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are very warmly welcomed in this nurturing club.

Children know the routines and quickly choose what they want to play with. They have a quiet place to relax indoors and opportunities to be active in the exciting outdoor spaces. They become completely engaged in a range of fun activities.

Staff play alongside the children, showing genuine interest and care. They use children's ideas and follow their interests extremely well. For example, children write, draw and use their imagination as they pretend to be at school.

Staff provide clip...boards to support further play. Children read each other stories and mark staff member's writing. Children are independent, happy and confident.

They develop very good social skills and make new friendships. Younger children play with supportive older children. For example, children laugh with excitement as they find each other in a game of hide and seek.

They take turns to hide and help the younger children count to 20.Children's behaviour is excellent. They benefit from observing the manager and staff consistently modelling respect and kindness.

Staff successfully support children's good behaviour through a range of strategies, such as a kindness board and star charts. Staff praise and encourage children's efforts to help build their self-esteem. Children are polite and follow the consistent rules and boundaries.

They cooperate and show consideration for one another as they play.

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

The manager and staff create exceptional partnerships with parents of children who attend the club. They give parents consistent feedback about their child's day.

Staff offer ideas to support activities at home. For example, during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, they sent home activity packs. Parents praise the staff highly and are very happy with the service provided.

Staff get to know the children very well. They listen carefully to children. They engage children in meaningful conversations about their day and how they are feeling.

Staff respond sensitively and promote children's well-being very well. They provide effective support for all children, including those with identified additional needs.Staff support children very well to use their own ideas and solve problems.

For example, children concentrate for long periods of time as they build models. They self-select resources and work out ways to fix lolly sticks and card together. When they have finished, children proudly demonstrate their creations.

Children thoroughly enjoy being outdoors in all weathers. For example, they play football on the decking. Children negotiate positions and rules.

They explore the exciting garden as they search for lost balls. Children say football is their favourite activity. Younger children learn to control their movements as they practise using a Hula-hoop.

Children learn about keeping themselves healthy. They are provided with a choice of healthy foods, with vegetables and fruit, for their tea. Staff are fully aware of children's individual allergies and dietary needs and ensure these are met.

Hygiene practices are excellent, including handwashing when needed.The manager and the small staff team work extremely well together. The manager models her good practice as she works alongside staff.

Staff say they are well supported and happy in their work. This helps to provide a high-quality experience for the children.The dedicated manager and staff identify ways they can build on their good practice.

They consistently involve children and parents in their thorough evaluation of the provision. Staff have regular supervision meetings to discuss their care of the children and areas to develop further. They are encouraged to extend their skills, knowledge, and qualifications to raise outcomes for children even higher.

Children benefit from the very strong links with the host school. Staff regularly meet with teachers to discuss the younger children's progress. They share support plans for children to ensure there is a continuity of care and learning.

Staff use training opportunities offered by the school, such as the recent equality training, to help ensure they meet each child's needs.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff ensure that children's safety is given priority.

The premises are safe, secure, and well maintained. The manager monitors accidents and puts measures in place to minimise any risks identified. Staff complete regular and appropriate safeguarding training.

They have a good understanding of the possible signs of abuse and the procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Strong vetting procedures ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff deploy themselves very effectively to supervise children as they play and to provide them with the support they need.