MAGIK Out of School Club

Inspection of MAGIK Out of School Club St George's Church of England Academy, Neasham Road, Middleton St. George, Darlington DL2 1LD

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

MAGIK is a happy, welcoming setting. Right from the start, children enter with smiles on their faces ready to start their day. Staff prioritise, making time to talk with and listen to children. They quickly get to know children's interests, likes and dislikes. As a result, children show great enthusiasm in all activities. They settle quickly and sustain their concentration for lengthy periods of time. They make choices about their learning and show much confidence and independence when they need to. This is evident in their independent dressing for outdoor learning and collecting and returning their trays at lunchtime.

p.2

The provision is good

Children use their imaginations to explore new materials and equipment and to act out real and imaginary experiences. They create their own storylines as they play with small-world superhero figures. This helps them to sustain their curiosity, work with others and use their imagination. Children show high levels of respect towards their peers and adults. They clearly know the difference between right and wrong behaviour. They learn to share toys and resources and understand the importance of being kind to each other. For example, a child tells their friend, 'I'm really impressed with you', after they succeeded in removing their sandwiches from the package. Children comment that they have fun at the setting. They explain that they really enjoy playing with the toys and their friends.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff fully understand the impact that the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has had on children. They have prioritised helping children settle, build confidence and to re-establish friendship groups. For example, they have used stories and discussions around what makes a good friend. They have also created opportunities for older children to work together to write notes to their friends. This helps children to develop relationships and a strong sense of belonging. n The manager and staff work together to tailor the curriculum to meet the needs and interests of children at different stages of their development. Overall, they monitor the progress that children make over time well. However, they do not always clearly identify when children have achieved their next steps in learning, to help them to develop new skills. n Staff promote children's communication skills well. They encourage them to speak through various discussions and conversations. As a result, children are

p.2

need to do better?

very confident and can express their opinions well. Staff provide children with a range of opportunities to develop their fine and gross motor skills, which are necessary for writing. However, sometimes, staff do not maximise opportunities to engage boys in these activities to help promote their early writing skills. n Staff use questions carefully and successfully to prompt children to think, talk and solve problems. For example, staff challenge the children to predict and

p.2

need to do better?

6 July 2021 count how many beads they have threaded on to the pipe cleaner. They then encourage children to have meaningful discussions and to compare which is the longest and which is the shortest. During story time, staff pose questions such as 'why?', 'if' and 'what do you think?' which prompts and helps children to think deeply. n Staff use the outdoor area well to promote children's physical development. Children splash in the rain puddles, scoop water into containers and transport this around the garden. They stomp their feet on the soil and explain that birds do this to bring the worms to the surface. Staff help children learn how to take precautions to keep themselves safe and healthy. Children understand why they wash their hands before eating and after going to the toilet. n Staff develop strong partnerships with parents. They gain information from parents about their child's interests and ensure the resources and activities

p.2

need to do better?

reflect these. This helps children to settle in from the outset. Staff ensure that they have regular chats with parents about their child's time at the setting and pass on information from the school each day. n The manager provides regular supervision meetings for all staff. Staff discuss any issues about their workload, the children they care for, training and their ongoing suitability to work with children. n The manager seeks the views of parents, children and staff. This, along with strong partnerships with the on-site schoolteachers, helps her to identify effective targets and drive ongoing improvements that benefit the children attending.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

All staff receive training and complete safeguarding quizzes. This has helped staff to develop a secure knowledge of the signs of abuse and a strong awareness of their responsibilities to protect children from harm. There are effective recruitment and induction procedures in place to ensure staff's suitability to work with children. Staff ensure all indoor and outdoor areas are checked before children arrive and throughout the day. Robust procedures are in place to ensure that children's COVID-19 'bubbles' are maintained. They restrict adults entering the setting. These procedures help to minimise the spread of infection.

p.3

should:

n strengthen the use of observation and assessment to help staff to clearly identify when to move children on in their learning and make even further progress n continue to strengthen the good teaching skills of the staff by focusing further on extending the early writing skills for boys through active play.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY343704 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10132803 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 120 Name of registered person West Park Day Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07946621848 Date of previous inspection 7 November 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

MAGIK Out of School Club registered in March 2007. It is situated in designated rooms within St George's Church of England Academy in the Middleton St George area of Darlington. The setting is part of the West Park Day Nursery group. The setting employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6, three at level 3 and one is unqualified. It opens Monday to Friday all year round, with the exception of one week at Christmas and bank holidays. During term time, morning sessions are from 8.50am until 11.45am, and afternoon sessions run from 12.30pm until 3.30pm. The club has a lunchtime session from 11.45am until 12.30pm. There is a breakfast club from 7.30am until 8.55am, and an after-school club from 3.20pm until 6pm. During school holidays, the club opens from 8am until 6pm. The club provides funded education places for 3-year-old and 4-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager and discussed how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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

6 July 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