Scotforth After School Club

Inspection of Scotforth After School Club Scotforth St. Pauls C of E Primary School, Scotforth Road, LANCASTER LA1 4SE

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This provision meets requirements

Children are cared for in a home-from-home environment where children and staff feel like part of a big, happy family. Parents comment that their children love attending. Children demonstrate this as they run up and give staff cuddles before they leave in the evening. Relationships between the host school and the club are excellent. Information-sharing is detailed and precise. Some staff work both in the school and the club, and this helps children feel happy and safe in the club. Staff place children's emotional well-being at the heart of everything they do. Children are incredibly calm and purposefully engaged in their play. For example, they enjoy playing board games with their friends, while others choose to read books alone. Children behave very well. They have opportunities to play outside and practise their physical skills. Staff support children to manage their own safety well. For example, they remind children not to run indoors. Children demonstrate that they

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This provision meets requirements

feel safe and secure in this friendly club.

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need to do better?

n Children have an excellent understanding of the rules and expectations of the setting. They work with staff to develop rules for the club and the use of the equipment. Children have a clear understanding of what is expected of them as a result of this. They respond swiftly when they are reminded of the rules. For example, they do not run inside the club. All children demonstrate kindness and consideration for others. They behave very well. n Staff plan a stimulating play environment. There are a wide variety of resources available for children to develop their skills further. Children talk to staff about the activities that they would like to do the next time they attend the club. Children record this in the planning diary and this is organised by the staff for them. For example, they request to make 'rocky road cakes' in a baking activity and model with junk. This allows the children to take ownership of their own

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need to do better?

learning and direct the activities that will interest them. n Staff encourage children to be independent and have a go when they encounter a difficulty, and praise children when they achieve their aim. Younger children thoroughly enjoy taking part in play dough activities. They remain engaged for a considerable length of time when making their cupcakes. n Children engage in meaningful conversations with staff. Staff listen carefully to what children are saying. They use skilful questioning to encourage children to express their thoughts and ideas and expand on conversations. Children listen intently as staff read children stories with very good expression. n Parents are highly complimentary of the nurturing staff team and the service they provide. Staff provide daily updates on the activities that children have undertaken at the club. Parents say that their children really enjoy attending the

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need to do better?

6 January 2020 club and that staff are wonderful. They remark on the 'special bonds' that children develop with the staff. n Professional development is strong. Staff say that they are very well supported. Newer members of staff value the support that they are given from other members of staff, as well as managers. Staff are encouraged to further their own qualifications and careers. Robust supervision procedures help to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and have a very strong understanding of their role. n Children develop a strong understanding of how they can keep themselves healthy. Staff give clear messages to all children about healthy eating. They provide fruit and vegetables for children to help themselves to as they eat wraps they have made. Children enjoy playing outside and engage in more energetic play as they join in with team games. n The dedicated and passionate manager shares her vision for the club with the

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need to do better?

enthusiastic and committed staff team. Together, they seek the views of parents and children when evaluating the success of the club and planning future changes. n The manager has built effective and beneficial working relationships with the host school. She uses these professional partnerships to ensure continuity of care for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Regular communication and information sharing mean children's needs are swiftly met.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have an excellent understanding of how to protect children from harm. They know how to identify and report their concerns about children to keep them safe. All staff attend regular training, as well as meetings, to ensure that their safeguarding knowledge is up to date. Staff make sure that the club is safe and well maintained. They act swiftly to deal with hazards. The manager ensures that all staff are suitable to work with children. Good recruitment and induction procedures help staff to understand their roles in keeping children safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY410298 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10129194 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care Age range of children 3 to 12 Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 279 Name of registered person Scotforth After School Club

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reference number

Telephone number 0152 465 379 07796569719 Date of previous inspection 25 April 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Scotforth After School club registered in 2010 and is located within Scotforth St. Pauls C of E Primary School. The club employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The club operates from Monday to Friday all year round, except for one week at Easter, two weeks in summer and during the Christmas holidays. The breakfast club opens from 7.45am until 8.45am and the after-school club runs from 3.10pm until 6pm, during term time. The holiday club opens from 8am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the activities and the interactions between staff and children both indoors and outdoors. n The manager and the inspector viewed all areas of the club and discussed how the club's activities are organised. n The inspector spoke to parents and carers and considered their views on the quality of the provision. n Time was spent speaking with staff and children during the inspection to take their views into account. n The inspector sampled a range of documents, including evidence of staff's suitability checks.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

6 January 2020 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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