Mac's Club

Inspection of Mac's Club Highfields Spencer Academy, Tutbury Avenue, Littleover, Derby DE23 3UX

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This provision meets requirements

Children arrive at the friendly club full of excitement. They are happy to see their friends from other schools and quickly engage themselves in activities. They have a good sense of belonging and know where to put their coats and bags before they play. Children play cooperatively together. This is evident as children build 'superhero bases' out of crates, deciding where the entrance will be. Children take turns as they play safely on the trim trail. They climb walls, balance on logs and swing on ropes. This helps to develop their physical skills, and resilience, as they adopt an 'I can do' attitude. Children and staff play an energetic game of football. Children thoroughly enjoy this and scream 'goal!' as they score.

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This provision meets requirements

Children have a lovely attitude to learning and behave well. They choose what they want to play with from a wide selection of opportunities. For example, children become engrossed in manipulating the play dough. They handle tools well and roll out the dough, measuring to ensure the dough is big enough to cut out a crocodile. They push down using cutters and are proud of their creations. Children concentrate as they blow bubbles of different sizes. They estimate who has the biggest bubble as together they watch them float up into the sky.

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need to do better?

n Staff know the children and their individual personalities well. This includes their likes and dislikes. This helps staff plan activities that they know will engage and interest children in their play experiences. For example, they know a large proportion of children enjoy art and craft activities. Therefore, they provide a daily art activity for them to take part in. For instance, children enjoy making bracelets and necklaces out of beads. n Staff interact with children with enthusiasm and get down to their level to talk with them. Children show high levels of focus and concentration as they colour number pictures. They enjoy snuggling with their friends on mats to look at books. Together, they chat about the books and share their individual interests. This is evident as two children sit and look at a book about a rainbow fairy. They talk about if fairies are real or not. This also promotes children's literacy skills.

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need to do better?

n Staff are effective role models and promote children's good behaviour. They speak gently to children and treat them with respect. This helps children to understand behaviour expectations at the club. Children are polite and courteous toward others. They use, 'please' and 'thank you' when they interact with staff and their friends. n Staff promote children's self-care skills and some aspects of their independence. They encourage children to follow good hygiene practices and to make choices for themselves. However, there are times when staff do things for children that

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need to do better?

14 June 2022 they could do for themselves. For example, children do not have the opportunity to serve their own food or pour their own drinks at teatime. n Staff develop good partnerships with parents and inform them about what their children have been doing at the club. They talk to parents at collection time and pass on messages from children's different schools. Parents speak highly of the club. They say their children are very happy and enjoy the activities on offer. They comment that staff are friendly, and easy to approach to talk to about their child. n The provider and staff build and maintain a positive relationship with the headteacher of the host school. They talk to children's individual teachers to support their welfare. This also ensures consistency between the club and children's classroom experiences. n Staff work together well as a team. The provider, who is also the club manager, provides strong support for staff. For example, she carries out staff appraisals

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need to do better?

and runs monthly staff meetings to help improve practice. This includes encouraging staff to further their knowledge by enrolling on higher qualification courses.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff receive safeguarding training and have a good knowledge of child protection issues. They understand their responsibilities regarding child protection. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if they have a concern about a child's welfare. The provider implements robust recruitment and induction procedures to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Ongoing suitability checks are part of a robust approach to keeping children safe. Staff carry out risk assessments to identify and remove any hazards, so it is safe for children to play. They supervise children well.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2622556 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 10244572 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 150 Name of registered person McDonald, Venice Ann Marie

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reference number

Telephone number 07930 225103 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Mac's Club was registered in 2020 and provides wraparound care for children. The club is located at Highfields Spencer Academy, in Littleover, Derbyshire. The opening hours are Monday to Friday, 6.45am until 9am, and 3.30pm until 6pm. The club employs 10 members of staff, of which six have early years qualifications at level 2, 3 and/or 6.

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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 provider took the inspector on a tour of the premises. Together, they discussed the range of activities available, in relation to the age and ability of the children. n Interactions between children and staff were observed. n At appropriate times, the inspector spoke to parents, children and members of staff. Their views were taken into consideration. n The inspector held meetings with the provider to discuss safeguarding, suitability and record keeping.

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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

14 June 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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