Firbobs@St Joseph's

Inspection of Firbobs@St Joseph's St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Woodchurch Road, Prenton, Merseyside CH43 5UT

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This provision meets requirements

Children thoroughly enjoy attending this very welcoming club that is a hive of activity, chatter and laughter. Children are warmly welcomed after their busy school day. They chat with staff about their day and are excited to see the activities on offer. The atmosphere in the cub is relaxed and friendly. Staff listen attentively to children, who confidently share their ideas and opinions. Children relish staff's positive and playful interactions with them. They have built strong and secure attachments with the dedicated staff team. Children are clearly at the heart of this fully inclusive club.

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This provision meets requirements

Children behave exceptionally well. They listen to the instructions given by staff and understand what is expected of them. Children have helped to devise club rules, and continuously use good manners without staff needing to prompt or remind them. They are polite and courteous and show kindness towards one another. For example, older children are quick to help their younger friends with self-care routines and explaining the rules of a game.

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This provision meets requirements

Many of the systems implemented specifically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have now been relaxed. However, children still follow stringent arrangements with regards to handwashing and hand sanitising. Children instinctively know to wash their hands before enjoying a snack. Staff continue to utilise air-quality monitors and ensure that children's play spaces are well ventilated. This practice helps to ensure children's continued health and well-being.

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need to do better?

n Staff effectively foster children's emotional well-being. Staff are positive role models, treating everyone with respect and kindness. Very young children have a dedicated member of staff who continuously focuses on their overall well- being. They diligently liaise with school staff to ensure that children's individual needs are met well. Older children participate in a weekly 'apple club' where staff facilitate uninterrupted time to chat with children in an informal, friendly and nurturing way. This significantly contributes to children's positive mental health. As a result, all children demonstrate that they feel safe, happy and secure. n Staff have implemented successful strategies to help manage children's behaviour and engagement. For example, children are awarded special raffle tickets for good behaviour, trying hard and being kind. Children patiently wait for the weekly raffle to be drawn, where the winning ticket can be exchanged for a

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need to do better?

special prize. Certificates and 'star of the week' awards are another way in which children's efforts are recognised and celebrated. This contributes to children's

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need to do better?

27 May 2022 sense of belonging and their impeccable behaviour. n Staff create an exciting environment for children to play in and successfully complement learning that is taking place in school. For example, as children learn about the Queen's Jubilee, activities in the club include making special stamps and colouring templates. Children especially enjoy these activities as they develop their creative flair and imagination using paint, glue and collage materials. n Parents' comments about the club and the staff team are overwhelmingly complimentary. They share how much their children enjoy attending and how they often do not want to go home at the end of the day. Parents state that staff are 'professional' and that communication is 'excellent'. They fondly describe how they 'couldn't ask for more' and that their children are 'safe and happy'. The headteacher of the host school describes the club as an 'asset' and

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need to do better?

is very appreciative of the service offered to his pupils and families. n Staff thoroughly enjoy working at the club and benefit from purposeful supervision meetings and plentiful training opportunities. Leaders seek feedback from children and parents and use this information to help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. Furthermore, staff are encouraged to contribute their ideas through informal discussions and evaluations. The dedicated and passionate manager and her staff team genuinely care for all children who attend the club and their strive for excellence is relentless. They want to ensure that all children have an extremely positive and meaningful experience at the end of their school day.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a robust understanding of their role and responsibility in protecting children from harm. Leaders ensure that staff complete regular training to ensure that their knowledge and skills remain up to date. Those with safeguarding responsibilities have also completed detailed training so that they are able to support staff, children and their families swiftly and effectively. Stringent recruitment and vetting arrangements are followed to ensure that staff are suitable to carry out their role and remain suitable for the duration of their employment. Staff confidently describe the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They understand the action to take if they have concerns about the practice or conduct of a colleague.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2550472 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10215722 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 125 Name of registered person Firbobs Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07709807400 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Firbobs@St Joseph's registered in 2019. The setting operates a breakfast club from 7.30am until 9am, and an after-school club from 3.15pm until 6pm during term time only. The setting employs six staff to work directly with the children, of whom three hold appropriate qualifications at level 3. The provider holds qualified teacher status.

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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 Discussions were held with the headteacher, the provider and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A tour of the premises was completed with the manager. n The manager and inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity. n The inspector reviewed a variety of documents, including evidence of the suitability of staff, qualifications, first-aid certificates and policies and procedures. n The inspector observed interactions between the staff and children during activities.

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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

27 May 2022 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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