Proactive After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children in the early years age range have an allocated key person who is responsible for ensuring that their needs are met.

They form secure bonds with staff and settle quickly on arrival. Children are relaxed and confident in the club. They access toys and resources independently and chat to their friends and staff as they play.

Staff have high expectations for children. They teach them the rules of the club and encourage them to manage their own behaviour in an age-appropriate way. For example, they remind them about key safety rules, such as holding scissors carefully when walking.

Staff encourage children to ...be kind to each other and to share resources fairly. Children listen and respond to staff's directions or reminders readily. They play well together and often spontaneously invite others to join in with games and playground clapping rhymes.

Children have opportunities to be active indoors and outdoors. They enjoy playing boisterous games of dodgeball in the large sports hall and exploring other sports equipment. Young children concentrate as they practise throwing and catching, as well as skipping games.

Staff understand how important this is to help children to 'let off some steam' and be physically active after a busy day at school.

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

The management team have taken robust steps to address the actions raised at the last inspection. They have worked closely with local authority advisers to develop their knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements.

As a result, the management team have implemented new supervision arrangements and strengthened their staff training and induction programmes.Parents are happy with the quality of service provided and note that the owner and staff are very approachable. They comment on the range of activities their children enjoy when attending and the 'super' outdoor spaces.

Children are keen to show the inspector their artwork and tell her their favourite things about attending the club.Staff know children well and provide activities based on their knowledge of children's interests. They select resources carefully, ensuring they are suitable for the age range and provide challenge and fun.

Children delight in transporting toys from one area to another, creating imaginative games that involve 'little ponies', 'transforming robots' and 'train' toys.Children enjoy a varied menu of snacks and meals. They know the routine well, taking themselves to wash their hands before eating and placing their used plates and cups in the dishwasher afterwards.

However, the organisation of these activities does not fully promote children's engagement. For instance, children sometimes become disengaged and frustrated when they are asked to wait for extended periods.Staff work closely with parents and staff in the on-site school to share information and understand children's unique needs and interests.

This helps to promote continuity in children's care.Children are friendly and demonstrate good manners. They help staff to clear away activities once they are finished and make polite requests for activities they would like to do next.

Staff recognise children's fascination with arts and crafts. They provide interesting and varied materials that capture children's interest. For instance, staff demonstrate step-by-step how to make an origami model.

They carefully check children's understanding and offer support when a fold is particularly tricky. They give children time to think about the instructions and create a calm, unhurried atmosphere for children to practise this new skill. Children are proud of their creations and have a lively conversation about the different ways they can decorate their finished model.

Staff interactions with children are warm and responsive. They engage them in conversation about their day, what they are doing and their lives beyond school. Staff recall important events, such as a birthday party or family visit, which helps children to feel valued.

The management team draw inspiration from training and personal research to review the service they provide. However, they do not currently gather information from service users to help them fully evaluate their service.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Managers ensure that staff access safeguarding and child protection training regularly. Staff have a secure knowledge of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They understand how to record and refer concerns, including those regarding the behaviour of a person who works with children.

Staff also understand the whistle-blowing procedure and have an awareness of wider safeguarding issues, such as county lines. Managers implement effective recruitment processes, which include ongoing suitability checks. They have also ensured that there are sufficient staff trained in paediatric first aid who are present at all times when children are present.

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