Queensbury Out Of School Club And Daycare

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and excited when they arrive at the club after school, as staff greet them and ask them about their day. They know about new routines and boundaries in place due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and they confidently follow these well. Parents are not currently able to enter the premises.

However, staff use two-way radios to call children to the door when parents arrive. Staff share information about the children regularly through discussions and through an online system. This promotes continuity of care.

Children take part in a wide range of interesting activities. Staff explain to them what activi...ties are available so that they can make choices. Younger age groups use their imaginations as they create sport trophies from collage materials.

This is related to the current theme of sporting activities, such as football and tennis. Staff support children to write their own names on their artwork and this is kept securely until they go home. Consequently, children feel that their work is valued.

Older children have fun at the roller disco or create objects from shaving foam mixed with oats.Children are generally well behaved and have good relationships with one another. Older children support the younger ones on their walk home from school, which gives them responsibility and boosts their self-esteem.

Children share, are cooperative and take turns as they play. They know the club rules and this sense of ownership contributes to their respect towards others. Children are generally well occupied through the activities and engage well.

However, at times, new routines mean that children are queuing or sitting at the tables at teatime for long periods of time.

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

The majority of staff manage children's behaviour well. Children are praised for their achievements.

However, some staff do not always explain to children why certain behaviour is unwanted, such as using equipment inappropriately. Therefore, children do not always learn about the consequences of their behaviour on themselves or others.Staff work hard to ensure that all children have access to the same experiences.

Children's opinions are sought and respected at this club. The staff encourage children to contribute to a suggestion board. Children suggest new games or activities and these are incorporated into the planning.

Children develop a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy. They are provided with nutritious and balanced meals and learn about food that is good for them. For example, during the evening meal, staff talk with children about the effects of too much sugar on their teeth.

Children take manageable risks as they play outdoors on the challenging climbing equipment. Staff support them as they swing on the monkey bars and climb using a rope. Staff encourage children to persist at tasks.

This boosts children's self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities.Children's emotional well-being is supported well at this club. Staff know the children well and genuinely enjoy spending time with them.

Staff follow the children's lead and are always available to offer support or comfort as children make their own choices.Management and staff have strong partnerships with parents and children's teachers. They share what they know about children's welfare and work together to help children feel safe and well cared for.

Staff follow the themes of what children do in school to complement learning. For example, children followed the theme of robots. This resulted in children's creations being proudly displayed in a cabinet in the entrance area.

Staff are experienced and well qualified. Management support them to continue their professional development through regular supervision and training courses. This benefits the development of children.

Staff have recently completed training in outstanding practice, autism and training specific to out of school clubs.The management team and staff constantly review and evaluate their practice to make changes that benefit the children. Parents' and children's views are taken into consideration.

Parents are involved in online surveys and the 'You said, we did board' shows parents and children how their views are addressed and appreciated.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The provider ensures that managers and staff receive the required training to fulfil their safeguarding roles.

There are good policies and procedures in place that are clear and understood by staff. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of how to recognise potential signs of abuse. They know the procedures to follow, should they have concerns about a child's welfare or the conduct of a member of staff.

Checks are carried out by the provider to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. The premises, where the club is situated, is safe and secure. School drop-off and collection procedures are strong.

Younger children are collected from their classrooms by staff to make sure that they get to the club safely. There is a robust system in place to ensure that children are safely collected at the end of the day. Consequently, children are protected.