Lorton After School Club

Inspection of Lorton After School Club Lorton After School Club, The Pavillion, Lorton School, High Lorton, Cockermouth, Cumberland CA13 9UL

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This provision meets requirements

Children are happy, safe and secure at the after-school club. They are collected safely from the host school by staff who ensure that all children follow appropriate COVID-19 hygiene practices. Children's independence is supported well. On arrival, they put away their bags and coats and settle quickly at the snack tables. Children choose what they would like to eat from the healthy options available to them. They help themselves to jam or honey and use a knife competently to add it to their toast.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff are kind, friendly and caring. They build effective relationships with children. The behaviour modelled by staff influences children's behaviour. For example, children show kindness and care towards others. They contribute their ideas during craft activities and thank their friends after asking for resources to be passed to them.

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This provision meets requirements

Children enjoy fun and exciting activities. They take part in movie nights, baking and science activities, play games and make Christmas decorations. Children have quieter areas to sit and relax to read books or chat to their friends. Children develop their imagination and physical skills while making magnificent structures using construction materials, such as connecting straws.

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This provision meets requirements

Parents speak highly of the staff managing the after-school club. They value the flexible hours and wonderful activities the children enjoy. Parents report children are reluctant to leave as they are having so much fun. They say their children are safe in the setting and look forward to going there. Staff supervise children exceptionally well. Children talk positively about the activities and how they like attending the after-school club with their friends.

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need to do better?

n Children's emotional well-being is fostered well. Staff recognise that, on occasion, some children may need extra emotional support and enable children to have time to talk with them. Partnerships with the host school are strong. Staff communicate with teachers when they collect children. They know the children well as they work in the school with them during the school day. This helps to provide children with consistency in their care. n Staff successfully help children to lead a healthy lifestyle. They help children to understand the importance of following good hygiene routines and making healthy food choices. Staff ensure that children's safety is given good priority. The premises are safe and secure. Daily checks of the environment enable staff to quickly identify and eliminate any risks. Staff are well deployed and supervise

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need to do better?

7 December 2021 children's activities successfully. Outdoor activities are provided after school in the school play areas. n Staff engage in meaningful conversations with children, where they listen to their views and opinions. Children are confident communicators. They sit with their friends and enjoy one another's company as they take part in activities. This helps children to build on their personal, social and emotional skills. n Staff obtain information from parents and teaching staff before children start attending the after-school club. This enables them to provide activities based on children's interests and meet the children's individual needs effectively. Staff share information with parents about their children's activities, through daily discussions and newsletters. n Leaders ensure opportunities are available that focus on staffs' professional development. For example, staff attend in-house training with teaching staff in

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need to do better?

the host school. Staffs' performance is also monitored through regular supervision meetings. This helps leaders to identify further training opportunities for staff, to ensure continuity in the standards of care. Staff feel they are supported in their role. n Leaders show a commitment to the continued improvement of the setting. They regularly reflect on their practice and the service that is being provided. For example, they acknowledge that the topics children are engaged in during the school day could be implemented in the after-school club activities. Parents and children give feedback, and staff encourage children to be involved in making decisions. For example, children decide on the activities they would like to take part in at the after-school club. Quality checks are carried out to ensure the after-school club consistently offers high-quality care.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are fully committed to ensure children are safe. Staff understand how to identify and report safeguarding concerns, following local guidelines. They have completed safeguarding training and understand their safeguarding responsibilities. Children play in a safe and secure space. Risk assessment procedures are robust. Staff check the environment before children attend and take steps to minimise risks when necessary. Robust recruitment and induction procedures are in place to help ensure staff suitability. All persons associated with the after-school club have completed the relevant suitability checks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2514827 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10207867 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

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Lorton After School Club CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 0190085919 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Lorton After School Club registered in 2019. The club operates Monday to Thursday, term time only. Sessions are held from 3pm to 5pm. The setting employs two staff who hold level 3 qualifications.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector asked staff questions during the inspection to establish their understanding of how to safeguard children. n The inspector spoke with the headteacher about the leadership and management of the setting. n The views and opinions of parents and children were considered during the inspection. n A range of documentation was sampled by the inspector, including evidence of the suitability of all staff and evidence of paediatric first-aid training.

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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

7 December 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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