The Willows Out of School Club

Inspection of The Weatheralls Out of School Club Soham Children's Centre, The Weatheralls Primary School, Pratt Street, Soham, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5BH

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This provision meets requirements

Children have a thoroughly enjoyable time at this well-managed club. They arrive with happy smiles and settle quickly to their self-chosen activities. Children take an active role in deciding on what they would like to do. They add to the planning board and confidently express their ideas to staff. Children have quiet places to relax and unwind. Staff provide interesting reading material, such as comics and age-appropriate story books. Some children read these avidly, clearly enjoying the stories. After a busy day at school, many children choose to play on the school playground. Energetic football games involve children of different ages, helping them to widen their social networks.

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This provision meets requirements

Children have excellent relationships with staff and each other. They behave well and show respect and kindness for one another. Staff are good role models. They greet children with affection when they arrive and take time to talk to children and find out about their day. Children mark festivals from other cultures, such as Chinese New Year. However, they have fewer opportunities to learn more about their own and each other's lifestyles, religions and languages. Children enjoy social mealtimes. They help staff to choose the healthy food options and demonstrate their independence as they prepare snacks and serve themselves.

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need to do better?

n Managers and staff have an effective working relationship with the host school. They have regular meetings with the headteacher to share what they know about children's welfare and development. Staff plan activities in the club that complement what children learn in school. For example, they encourage children to write poems or stories linked to school topics. All of this helps to provide children with continuity in their care and learning. n Managers provide staff with strong and consistent support. Staff feel they are a valued part of a cohesive team. They benefit from regular meetings with managers where they share ideas and plan for future professional development. Staff say managers have a sensitive and supportive approach and take good account of their personal lives, which helps to promote their health and welfare. n Children confidently express their ideas. They have high levels of independence

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need to do better?

and take an active part in organising activities and resources. They freely adapt activities to extend their own interests and learning experiences. Children mould shapes from shaving foam and hide animal models in it to add to their enjoyment. Children adeptly make up their own games, such as kicking footballs at designated targets. n Children say they feel safe at the club and have confidence that staff will help them to deal with any problems. Older children comment that staff respond to

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need to do better?

28 January 2020 their changing needs and interests. Staff make sure activities retain children's interest, even though children have been attending the club 'forever'. Children contribute photographs and comments to an ongoing scrap book, which they look through and recall what they have enjoyed in the past. n Parents are very complimentary about the club and staff. They feel well informed about the activities and routines. They know the staff well and understand procedures to follow if they have to raise any concerns. Staff send parents regular newsletters to tell them about future events and comment on the success of past events. Staff implement safe procedures for the collection of children and no child leaves the club unaccompanied by a responsible adult. n Children enjoy being creative. They make complex models from interlocking bricks and produce highly imaginative drawings and paintings. Staff encourage

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need to do better?

children to develop practical skills too, such as cooking. Children show good cooperative skills as they make flapjacks together. They help each other to follow the recipe and weigh and measure the ingredients.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a thorough understanding of the possible signs of abuse. They receive regular training to keep their knowledge of the procedures to follow up to date. Written policies and procedures are easily available and a staff member who is qualified to lead safeguarding incidents is always present. Staff make daily checks of the areas used by the children to make sure they play safely. Managers implement thorough recruitment procedures to make sure anyone working with children is suitable.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY382906 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10113092 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 5 to 10 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Seal, David George

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reference number

Telephone number 01353 727188 Date of previous inspection 17 November 2014

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Information about this early years setting

The Weatheralls Out of School Club registered in 2008. The setting opens Monday to Friday during school term time. Sessions are from 7.30am to 8.40am and from 3pm to 6pm each weekday. There are five staff members working directly with the children. Of these, three hold appropriate qualifications at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and the manager looked at all parts of the club and discussed how the staff review safety and plan activities that meet children's individual needs. n The inspector observed children during their activities to evaluate their levels of enjoyment. n The inspector spoke with children, staff and parents at convenient times. n The inspector looked at essential documents, such as evidence of staff training and suitability and discussed with managers how they support staff.

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Inspection activities

28 January 2020 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

28 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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Inspection activities

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