Woolaston Out of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy to attend this friendly out-of-school club. Children independently put away their belongings and enter the hall, eager to access the wide range of activities on offer.

Children's views and opinions are valued. They share their ideas with staff about the resources and activities that they would like to be available. Children soon become engrossed in play alongside their friends.

They create their own aeroplane from paper and card. Children are confident and display high levels of self-esteem. Staff offer them lots of praise for their achievements.

Young children feel a sense of accomplishment as ...they successfully use a pair of scissors to cut out the front of their aeroplane. They take their newly made creation off to test and decide if they need to make it stronger.Children behave very well.

They are kind to each other and display respectful behaviour towards the resources and environment. Older children are positive role models to the younger children, who look up to them. Children use their imagination as they play with small dolls inside the doll's house.

Children engage in conversations about their experiences outside of school and the club. Younger children talk proudly to visitors about their costumes for a dance show that the older children are also involved in.

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

The manager and staff build strong partnerships with the host school.

Staff collect the youngest children from their classroom. They speak with their class teachers and gather any information about their school day which needs to be passed on to parents. When parents arrive to collect their children, staff share this information.

They remind older children to pass messages from school to their parents. For example, to remember to bring their wellies the next day.Staff support children to learn the importance of following healthy routines.

Children line up to wash their hands before sitting down at the table to eat their snack. They display good manners and wait for everyone to sit down before they start eating. Staff provide different weekly options for children's snack, including fruit, toast and crackers with cheese.

They particularly enjoy Friday's 'special breakfast'. Following some children's experiences of a continental breakfast on holiday in France, staff provided baguettes with ham and cheese.Children benefit from time spent outside in the fresh air.

They run around the playground trying to fly a kite and play ball games with their friends and staff. Young children enjoy making marks with chunky chalk on the hard ground. They work out the best way to draw circles and use a plastic hoop as a guide.

Children use the circles that they have drawn to create their own game.Staff are positive role models. They sit with children as they play board games.

Children learn the rules of games and take turns to move their counter around the board. Children proudly teach staff the rules of chess. This has become a popular activity in the club with some of their most skilled players being only six years old.

The manager evaluates the club and looks for ways to enhance their practice. She explains that she is currently putting together a photo book of toys and resources for the club. This is because she recognised that when new children start attending, although free choice is promoted, they do not always know what toys are available.

The manager also sends out questionnaires to parents and children to seek their views on the experiences the club offers.Parents' written feedback is highly positive. They appreciate the sensitive care and support offered to children and comment on the extremely well-organised variety of activities on offer.

Parents value the opportunity for their children to mix with different age groups and state it has helped to build their confidence and widen their social circle.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff understand their responsibility to keep children safe.

They demonstrate a suitable understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. Staff are familiar with the procedures to follow in the event of needing to report a concern. They know from where they can seek further advice or guidance, such as the manager, designated safeguarding lead or external professionals.

The premises are kept safe and secure. Parents ring a doorbell at the school office to alert staff that they have arrived to collect their children. Staff greet parents before allowing children to exit the premises.

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