Abington Community 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 and settle quickly at the welcoming club.

They are collected from their classes by a familiar adult. This provides children with consistency and helps to support their emotional security. Children build strong relationships with staff.

They chat freely with them about their day as they enter the club and sit for a healthy snack. Children enjoy the company of adults and involve them in their play. For example, children explore ginger scented dough and comment on its 'sticky texture'.

Staff encourage children to consider ways to alter the dough's texture. They suggest adding more flour and using v...arious tools to mix, shape and cut the dough. Children enjoy all year access to the large outdoor area.

They independently access head torches during the darker evenings to allow them to use the larger and more physically challenging equipment.Children behave very well and have an excellent attitude towards the club. Staff create the club rules with the children and have them on display as a visual reminder.

Children sort and tidy toys when they finish playing. They enthusiastically clear and set the tables for tea. Older children show kindness to younger children as they help them learn the rules as they try new games.

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

The arrangements for settling children into the club are effective. The manager collects detailed information from parents and teaching staff at the schools before children start at the club. Younger children are assigned a key person, so that they have a familiar adult to build a relationship with as they settle in.

Staff are assigned key children that they are already known to as a result of their roles within both the pre-school and school. This helps to provide continuity in their care.Staff interact well with children.

They engage in activities, such as chess, sports and card games. Children enthusiastically describe their favourite sporting activities at the club, such as swimming, football and dodgeball. They are highly motivated and eager to demonstrate their skills to visitors.

Children are actively involved in the daily planning of activities in the club. For example, they have their own planning sheet that they add their thoughts and wishes to daily. Staff sit with children and involve them when purchasing new equipment to ensure that the children's interests are taken into account.

Staff give careful consideration to the layout of the club. A quiet space is provided for older children to access to allow them to complete schoolwork. Creative activities are well presented, with additional resources to stimulate exploration.

A wide range of toys and resources are accessible for children to access independently. These include the torches to continue the free-flow system into the garden area in the darker evenings.Children's behaviour and attitudes at the club are excellent.

Staff act as positive role models and provide gentle reminders, such as 'gentle hands' and 'walking feet'. They praise children for their kind behaviour. Children enjoy taking responsibility for tidying equipment.

Staff promote healthy eating. They provide a variety of well-balanced food choices, including a selection of fruit which is always available. Mealtimes are a relaxed and sociable event with staff and children chatting freely with each other.

Children join staff to set the tables and bring out food and drinks. They demonstrate awareness of good hygiene procedures as they wash their hands prior to eating.Partnerships with parents are good.

Staff share information effectively to keep parents informed of the different activities and experiences the children enjoy while at the club. Parents comment that their children often want to stay and report that they thoroughly enjoy themselves.The manager values her staff.

They comment that they feel valued and supported. A mentor system has been incorporated to support new staff while they become familiar with their roles and responsibilities. The manager ensures staff receive regular supervisions and access to training.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff understand their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe. They can identify the signs and symptoms of abuse.

Staff understand the risks associated with children and families being drawn into extreme behaviour. They are familiar with broader areas of safeguarding, such as county lines and female genital mutilation. Staff are confident in the knowledge of the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child or the behaviour of a staff member.

They receive regular supervision and attend staff meetings to discuss policies and procedures. Staff complete regular training to keep their knowledge up to date. They are deployed effectively to meet the needs of children.

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