Aktiva Camps At Thomas’s Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are thoroughly excited to arrive at this lively after-school club. The enthusiastic staff greet them and chat to them about their day at school.

Children enjoy exploring a wide range of exciting activities both indoors and in the large secure outdoor area. Staff plan activities which are based on the interests of the children who attend that day. For example, children are exploring their creative skills by making their own modelling dough.

They mix various paints to create their desired colours for their sculptures.Children form incredibly close bonds with each another. They are kind and support one another in tas...ks.

For example, children are making and decorating crowns. When they are unhappy with the results, their friends are swift to praise them on their efforts and offer additional support and ideas. Children are friendly and demonstrate exceptionally high levels of confidence.

They welcome visitors to their after-school club and are eager for them to join in their games and activities. The nurturing staff support children's self-confidence well. They praise children's efforts and achievements and encourage them to share their knowledge with their friends.

For example, children are discussing famous landmarks in Rome. Staff encourage children who have been to Italy to offer their expertise.

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

Staff establish very close bonds with children from the start.

Children in the early years are assigned key persons to support their well-being and development. Staff have deep knowledge of the children in their care. They plan each session based on the children who are due to attend.

For example, children delight when staff announce they have their favourite sandwich toppings for snack.Staff place great focus on children's personal development. Children and staff explore potential risks in their play, and work together to establish rules to keep everyone safe.

Children understand the need to compromise during some activities. For example, they vote for which playground they wish to play in. When their choice is not selected, it does not deter them from joining in and having fun with their friends.

Snack time is a very sociable event at the after-school club. Children and staff all sit around the table and engage in meaningful conversations. Staff provide an enormous variety of healthy snacks which children independently select.

Fresh drinking water is available for children to help themselves to throughout the session.Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are incredibly kind and polite to each other, staff and visitors.

Staff are excellent role models. They always demonstrate good manners and are highly respectful towards children and other adults. The after-school club mirrors the behaviour management strategies used in the host school.

This ensures consistency and supports children's behaviour.The provider has well-established recruitment and induction procedures in place. This ensures all staff are suitable to work with children.

The provider conducts regular appraisals and supervisions on all staff. This enables them to swiftly identify areas for development, and ways to support staff progression.Staff reflect well on all aspects of their practice.

They seek regular feedback from parents and children. This enables them to provide high-quality care which meets the needs of families.Parents speak highly of staff and the high-quality care they provide.

They comment on the provider's flexible service and the ease of the booking process. All parents acknowledge how children enjoy the time they spend at the after-school club and the close friendships they form.Staff work hard to establish strong professional relationships with the host school.

They share information on planning themes which allows them to create activities to complement children's learning. Staff communicate daily with class teachers to gather essential information about children's time at school. This enables them to identify when children have had a difficult day and offer additional support.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a secure understanding of how to keep children safe. They know the signs and symptoms which could indicate that a child is at risk of harm.

Staff explain the correct process to follow if they have concerns about a child. They complete regular, comprehensive risk assessments of all areas of the after-school club and supervise children exceptionally well in activities. Staff ensure children are always within sight both indoors and in the extensive outdoor area.

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