Smarties

Inspection of Smarties St Margarets Primary School, Heywood Road, Prestwich, Manchester M25 2BW

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This provision does not meet requirements

Children's health and safety is not always assured in this club. This is due to leaders not ensuring that there is at least one member of staff who has a current paediatric first-aid certificate on the premises and available at all times when children are present.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Nevertheless, staff collect children from their school classrooms and escort them to the club safely. Staff make time for children to talk about their day. They engage in meaningful conversations with children about objects, such as a teddy bear, that children show interest in on their route. Routines within the club are consistent. Children know to wash their hands on entry, and they do this independently. Now that the COVID-19 restrictions have lifted, children are no longer confined to their class bubbles while at the club. This is helping children to re-establish firm friendships with their older peers. Children are patient when waiting for others to arrive after school. They thoughtfully consider the needs and feelings of their friends when making play choices.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Leaders and staff work tirelessly to ensure that children have a great deal of fun at the club. Children demonstrate increasingly good physical skills when using equipment, such as bicycles and scooters, outdoors. They show resilience when perfecting the ability to hit a ball using a bat and when attempting to roll a hoop on its side across the playground. Staff listen to children and respond to their ideas. For instance, they provide resources, such as a parachute, to support children's desire to create 'a den'. Children form a strong bond with staff. They are happy and content and clearly enjoy their time at the club.

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need to do better?

n Leaders do not ensure that the staff qualification and training requirement in relation to paediatric first aid is continually met. Although a first-aid certificate has been held by some staff previously and continually for many years, it has not been maintained. However, staff are knowledgeable about the procedures that they need to follow in the event of an accident or emergency. Therefore, the impact on children's health and safety is minimal. n The thoughtful staff encourage children to have a voice. The purposeful club council meetings provide opportunities for children to express their views and ideas. For example, in response to children expressing their interest in learning about living things, staff provide them with a new 'private outdoor detective' kit. This inspires children to search for bugs in the environment and contributes towards their continued enjoyment of the club. n Staff value each and every child. They make time to welcome all children to the

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need to do better?

27 September 2022 club each day. Staff strongly encourage children to 'be themselves'. They invite children to show off their individual moves when dancing to different styles of music. Staff recognise that each child has their own skills and talents. They have plans in place to engage children in a talent contest, to further broaden children's understanding of what makes each and every one of them unique. n Leaders invest in staff through meaningful supervision sessions. Staff practice is evaluated well and used to enhance children's experiences. For example, staff now read a wider variety of books to children, to inspire their love of reading. In response to recent training, staff have set up a book share scheme to enable children to take books home. This supports all children to build on their growing vocabulary. n The kind and caring staff swiftly and sensitively intervene to resolve the few conflicts that arise during play. They encourage children to work together to

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need to do better?

resolve any disputes and to reach a compromise. This contributes to the positive and respectful attitudes that children adopt. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff make time to share information with parents about the wide range of activities that children take part in at the club. Parents comment positively about the club and staff. They say that 'children love attending' and that 'staff are very caring and supportive'. n Overall, children's good health is promoted well. Children enjoy time outdoors in the fresh air each day. They eat wholesome foods, such as fresh fruit and yogurt, during the breakfast-club sessions. However, snacks provided by staff after school and special achievement awards from the 'golden box' are less healthy. Nevertheless, staff correctly recognise the need to re-evaluate some of the types of snacks and rewards that they provide, to support children to make more healthy and informed choices.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The weaknesses identified in relation to paediatric first-aid training mean that children's safety is not wholly assured. However, staff do access a wide range of other training, including that to administer more complex medication safely. This helps to ensure that children's individual health and safety needs are, in the main, well met. Leaders and staff are alert to the indicators of abuse. They have a firm understanding of child protection procedures. Staff take steps to minimise any risks. For example, when children use computers at the club, staff encourage them to reflect on the information gained from their online safety lessons within school. This supports children to continually keep themselves safe.

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Due date

ensure there is at least one member of staff on site, when children are present, who holds and maintains a full and relevant paediatric first-aid qualification. 27/10/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 316787 Local authority Bury Inspection number 10233599 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 84 Number of children on roll 96 Name of registered person Smarties

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reference number

Telephone number 0161 773 1432 or 07779 966357 Date of previous inspection 5 December 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Smarties registered in 1998. The club is run by a committee and operates from a number of rooms within St Margaret's Church of England Primary School. The club employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The club is open Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 7.45am until 8.55am and from 3.30pm until 5.30pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection that 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 club. n The manager showed the inspector the areas of the premises that children have access to and discussed how they create and plan for the play environment. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions between staff and children during the session. n Discussions were held with the manager, the staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n A sample of documents were viewed by the inspector. These include evidence of the suitability of staff, a record of staff qualifications and training and some of the policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to a small number of parents and took account of their views.

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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 September 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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