Skylarks

Skylarks Bridewell Lane, BURY ST. EDMUNDS, Suffolk, IP33 1RE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 July 2017 15 February 2017

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The management committee has successfully addressed the issues identified in the previous inspection and made significant improvement.  Ofsted is now aware of all members of the committee and completed suitability checks for the role. In addition, the youngest children at the club now have a named key member of staff to relate to and staff record children’s hours of attendance at the breakfast club accurately.  Children have fun at the club. Soon after arriving from school, they find favourite toys and pastimes that interest them. Others simply relax after a tiring day at school and chat with friends.  Parents offer very positive feedback about the approachable staff and the play opportunities available to their children. Parents appreciate the benefits of their children socialising with older friends. This helps children to feel more confident in school. Parents say that their children ask to increase the number of sessions they attend as

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This provision is good

they thoroughly enjoy their time at the club.  Staff know children well. Those responsible for the youngest speak knowledgably about children’s interests and their families. Staff celebrate children’s ‘wow’ moments to complement learning from school effectively.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although the manager carries out regular staff supervision meetings, she does not focus sufficiently on improving staff’s skills, knowledge and personal effectiveness.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen supervision arrangements to enhance support, guidance and coaching to staff, to improve their personal effectiveness even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at the premises used by the children and the resources available to them. She observed children at play and their interactions with staff.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector jointly assessed an activity with the setting manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the setting manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff are vigilant to children's safety as they play and know who to report their concerns to if children are at risk of harm. Robust recruitment procedures are in place and staff's suitability for their roles is thoroughly checked. The manager provides staff with a thorough induction to the club and ensures they are clear about their responsibilities from the beginning. The manager and staff use self-evaluation effectively to highlight the club's strengths and identify where it needs improvement. They establish strong partnerships with the host school, working well together to support children's well-being and development effectively.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children arrive excitedly at the club after a busy day at school. They quickly find their friends and settle down to play with the wide range of toys available to them. For example, children show good concentration skills as they independently construct train tracks. They skilfully identify which pieces they need to fit together and build the layout they want. Staff interact with children well. They listen carefully to them as they talk about the things they have found out at school and take note of their learning. For example, children are keen to share what they have learnt about symmetry and demonstrate how they can now recognise this in pictures and patterns. Staff join in with children's play and in doing so, enhance children's social and communication development particularly well. Children readily contribute to lively conversations about their achievements at local sporting clubs, which boosts their self-esteem and confidence effectively.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are independent and show maturity when they are at the club. They know the routines well and are able to find many exciting activities that interest them well. For example, children play tennis and try to repeat the skills they have seen during recent sporting events. Children's take part in physical exercise, which enhances their physical development and promotes their good health effectively. Children behave well at the club. They are friendly and eager to join others in their activities. Children select and prepare their own nutritious snacks. They sit with friends, chatting about their day and are soon refuelled and ready to play. Staff are good role models and children readily approach them to talk or share their news. Children are particularly keen to show staff their pictures and are very proud of the 'tricky words' they have written. Staff offer plenty of praise for children's efforts and as a result, children feel suitably rewarded.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251631 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 1086731 Type of provision Out of school provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 4 - 10 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 100 Name of registered person Skylarks Breakfast, After School & Holiday Club Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 February 2017 Telephone number 07958 179 588

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reference number

Skylarks registered in 1998. It operates within Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary School. The club employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The club opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Session times are from 8am to 8.45am and from 3.15pm to 6pm, term time. A holiday club operates from 8.30am to 6pm.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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