The Ark Out-of-School Club

Inspection of The Ark Out-of-School Club Pontesbury C of E Primary School, Bogey Lane, Pontesbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 0TJ

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This provision meets requirements

Children concentrate for extended periods of time. They become deeply involved as they make models out of recycled materials. Children use their imaginations as they design their own models, and then decide how to go about building them and solving any problems along the way. They are very proud of their finished models; they show them to staff and welcome the praise that staff give them. Children enjoy working together to make dough. They follow a simple recipe that helps them connect written and spoken words. Children giggle as they mix the water, oil and food colouring together and look on with wonder as it changes colour. Staff model how to knead the dough and support children as they have a go. During such activities, staff skilfully ask children questions that encourage them to give fuller answers that draw on a wider range of vocabulary. Children chat and play together with the doll's house and use some of the craft materials as props. For

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This provision meets requirements

example, they tease out cotton wool to make blankets for the doll's bed. Children initiate a game of hide and seek inside. They become highly excited as they take it in turns to count and then to hide. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. They model respectful behaviour and help children to understand the club's rules. Children develop friendships with each other and demonstrate that they feel safe, happy and self-assured at the club.

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need to do better?

n Staff know the children well and talk to them about the activities they would like to do in the club. This helps staff to provide a range of activities that interest children and motivate them to join in. Consequently, children are deeply engrossed in their play. Staff help children to learn about the similarities and differences between people. For example, children explore multicultural festivals throughout the year. Staff provide children with a wide range of accessible books. This, along with visits to the on-site school library, promotes children's love of reading. n Staff have a high level of awareness of the importance of encouraging children to develop strong emotional attachments, and about how to do this. For example, they offer reassurance, encouraging smiles and chat to the children as they play alongside them. Parents state that staff build excellent relationships with their children. Children behave well and show a high regard for one

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need to do better?

another. n Children have the opportunity to experience challenge and take some carefully managed risks for themselves when they use the school's outdoor climbing apparatus. They enjoy playing on the chain walk, the wobbly bridge and the balance beam. Children thoroughly enjoy playing football and bat-and-ball games outdoors. This helps to develop children's agility, balance and

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need to do better?

4 February 2020 coordination. n Staff encourage children to be independent and to help with small tasks. For example, at snack times, children confidently pour their own drinks, make their own sandwiches and put their plates away when they have finished eating. Staff provide children with nutritious snacks. n Staff enable a regular three-way flow of information with parents and the teachers from the different schools children attend. This includes discussions about children's well-being, interests and achievements. This helps to ensure consistency in children's care and overall development. n The manager provides regular one-to-one meetings for all staff. This is a time for staff to discuss any issues about their workload, the children they care for, training and their ongoing suitability to work with children. n The manager regularly evaluates the effectiveness of the activities they offer children. She welcomes the views of staff, parents, children and the on-site

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need to do better?

school. The company's management team supports the manager well and together they identify any areas in need of improvement. All of this helps to ensure that children continue to develop the skills they need to learn effectively and to be ready for the eventual move on to school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff undertake child protection training and have a good understanding of how to recognise and report any child protection concerns. The manager places a strong emphasis on ensuring that children are cared for in a safe environment. Effective staff deployment means that all children are well supervised and cared for. Staff record the times children arrive and leave. This ensures they know who is on the premises at all times and can safely evacuate the premises in an emergency. Most staff have completed recent paediatric first-aid training. This provides them with the knowledge and skills required to administer first aid effectively and meet the requirements of registration.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY364735 Local authority Shropshire Inspection number 10116471 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 4 to 10 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 104 Name of registered person Ark Childcare (UK) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01743 790226 Date of previous inspection 19 January 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The Ark Out-of-School Club registered in 2007 and is situated within Pontesbury C of E Primary School. It is one of three provisions managed by Ark Childcare (UK) Limited. The director of Ark Childcare (UK) Limited is also a director of Cresswell Nurseries Limited and Hillside House Nursery Limited, who between them manage another seven provisions. The club employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds early years teacher status and five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The club opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 7.45am until 8.50am and 3.15pm until 5.55pm.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk across all the areas used by the club, to understand how children's play and enjoyment is promoted. n A joint observation of an activity was carried out by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector held discussions with staff and evaluated how well they help children to develop the skills that they need to learn effectively and to be ready for school. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and children spoken to on the day.

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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

4 February 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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