Schools Out Club - Balham

Inspection of Schools Out Club - Balham Balham Community Centre, 91 Bedford Hill, London SW12 9HE

p.1

Met

Previous inspection Not Met (with actions)

p.1

This provision meets requirements

Children are well supervised, and the effective routines ensure children's needs are met in a timely way. Routines have changed because of the pandemic. Children and parents understand the changes and have adapted well. For example, parents no longer come into the setting to collect their children. However, staff take the children individually to their parents in the playground and share information about their child's day. Staff have used themed activities to discuss the pandemic and enable children to voice their feelings. Parents describe the club as 'homely and cosy', where children feel 'safe and secure'. Children have positive relationships with the kind and friendly staff. Staff know the children well and instinctively meet children's individual needs. For example, recognising when children need to be more active and providing immediate opportunities for play outdoors. Staff consistently use praise and encouragement, which helps to raise children's self-

p.2

This provision meets requirements

esteem and confidence. Children laugh often. The club complements experiences children have at school to support their understanding of the world. The staff provide a good consistency of care and learning. They share relevant information with parents and liaise with the host schools daily. Staff are excellent role models for behaviour. Children listen, show respect for each other and play harmoniously together.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff build good relationships with parents. Parents speak highly of the club and are kept well informed about both the club and their children. Parents feel their children have a 'real personal connection' to the staff that supports their emotional well-being. Parents say their children are keen to attend. The contact with different aged children promotes their social development well. n Staff members work in both the club and the host school. This helps to support continuity of children's care and learning. Parents comment that this is something they really appreciate. Children talk with confidence and enjoy listening to a story. They make up their own stories during role play and enjoy board games that support their mathematical knowledge. n Leaders and managers are committed to developing the club and the self- evaluation process has been improved. Staff are offered numerous training opportunities to raise their awareness of safeguarding and to support children

p.2

need to do better?

with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Parent's opinions are valued, and this led to improvements in the club's menu. Risk assessment has improved, the club have changed the areas children now use. This means children are now well supervised and are kept safe and secure. n The club's effective routines support children's knowledge of their own needs, their health and their independence. For example, they arrive from school and

p.2

need to do better?

20 May 2021 immediately wash their hands. Children understand and follow the routines to support their health and safety. They understand and follow the new routines confidently, to prevent the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus). Children have their own set of pens, pencils and rubber which they keep in their drawer. They understand this is to prevent cross-contamination and are very pleased with this new rule. n The club offer holiday crafts to acknowledge a variety of cultural traditions and festivals. However, the crafts are often pre-designed by adults. This does not always fully promote children's own creativity and imagination. Children are positive about the world around them and learn hello and goodbye in different languages. n Children have regular opportunities to be physically active and play outdoors. Young children enjoy practising physical skills such as swinging a hoop and balancing on small apparatus. They enthusiastically make sandcastles in the

p.2

need to do better?

sand pit and enjoy the fresh air. Visits to the local park are enjoyed during holiday club, where children discover nature and use more challenging equipment. n Older children support younger children, affectionately displaying a warm and friendly nature. Children are confident, behave well and clearly enjoy being at the club. Children play games that support them to take turns and they relish playing games with the engaging staff.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have regular safeguarding training to keep up to date and know who to contact if they have any concerns. Staff are alert to the indicators that may mean a child needs protection. Children learn to keep themselves safe. For example, they learn the rules of how to cross the road safely on their daily walk from school. There is rigorous vetting of staff to ensure they are suitable to work with children. Staff are vigilant and the club is well organised. This provides a safe and secure environment for the children attending the club.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 508661 Local authority Wandsworth Inspection number 10193116 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Balham Community Centre

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 020 8673 4350 0208 6754800 Date of previous inspection 14 February 2020

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Schools Out Club-Balham registered in 2001. It operates from a community centre in the London borough of Balham. A breakfast club operates from 7.30am until 9am and an after-school club operates from 3pm until 6.30pm, term time only. During the pandemic, the breakfast club has not been operating. A holiday club operates from 8am until 6.30pm during school holiday periods. The club employs three members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to level 3.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector took account of the views of parents gathered from a telephone conversation. n The children talked to the inspector about what they enjoy doing at the club. n The inspector observed the staff interacting with children. She assessed the impact of this on children's behaviour. n Discussions were held with the provider, manager and staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector evaluated a sample of policies and relevant documentation.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

20 May 2021 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6