Smart Zone Club

Inspection of Smart Zone Club Bath Road, Cricklade, Swindon, Wiltshire SN6 6AT

p.1

This provision meets requirements

Children are excited as they arrive at this caring and nurturing after-school club. Staff greet them with a warm welcome and children are keen to tell staff about their day at school. Children select activities quickly and become engrossed in their play. They show high levels of individuality and are confident to ask staff for resources they would like to play with.

p.2

This provision meets requirements

Children enjoy their time outdoors and have regular opportunities to play in the fresh air. They benefit from a variety of resources that build their physical skills and resilience. For instance, younger children practise balancing on skateboards and older children climb and balance on play equipment. Staff support children's growing independence. For example, they teach children how to score goals in a hoop by pushing the ball higher and encourage children to keep going when they find it hard. Children try again and again until they succeed, showing determination and focus.

p.2

This provision meets requirements

Children develop good communication and social skills. They talk with other children and staff during activities and mealtimes. They ask questions, listen to others and confidently respond to questions asked of them. They enjoy these times, which are filled with laughter and discussions.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff provide learning opportunities based on the interests and ages of the children who attend. They involve children in making choices. For example, they ask children what toys and activities they would like to see at the club and buy new resources they have asked for. This supports children's growing self-esteem and encourages positive attitudes and enthusiasm during their play. n Leaders and staff meet the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. They put support for children in place to ensure they can fully enjoy their time in the club and join in with activities. n The staff work closely with the host school and regularly share information. They meet with teachers when taking children to and from the school each day. Children benefit from these discussions about their learning and care needs. For example, staff find out when children have been upset in school and provide

p.2

need to do better?

additional attention, so children feel cared for. n Staff understand their responsibility to keep children safe. They supervise children at all times and teach children about how they can keep themselves safe. For example, children learn how to leave the building safely if there is a fire. n The leaders support staff well. Staff benefit from regular meetings and training

p.2

need to do better?

27 March 2023 opportunities that develop their practice. For example, new staff 'buddy up' with more experienced colleagues to see how staff interact and care for children. Staff say they feel valued and enjoy their work. They are happy, enthusiastic and caring role models for children. n Children's behaviour is excellent. The leaders have a clear ambition to teach children to respect others. Children learn about the rules of the club and why each rule is important. Staff praise children for being kind, sharing and following the rules. This reinforces their good behaviour. Children of all ages play nicely together and show high levels of respect. For example, young children playing with trains allow others to join them in their game and share their toys, so everyone can play. n Staff communicate effectively with parents. They use newsletters to share activities and daily pick ups and drop offs to discuss children's needs. Parents

p.2

need to do better?

speak highly about the staff and the care offered to their children. They say that their children enjoy the club and they are well informed about what their child is doing during their time there. n Staff help children to learn about healthy lifestyles. They provide healthy foods for breakfast and snack times and talk to children about good food choices. Staff ask children what foods they would like to eat while in the club and create new menus to include the foods they enjoy. They use these opportunities to teach children about food allergies, cultural differences and what makes a healthy meal.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders place a high priority on children's safety. They complete robust recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff receive annual safeguarding training and leaders use monthly staff meetings to refresh and deepen this knowledge. Staff and leaders know the signs and symptoms of abuse. They know the correct procedures to follow in the event of a concern about children's welfare. Leaders ensure all staff have up to date knowledge of children's medical and dietary needs. They provide suitable alternatives at mealtimes for children with allergies to keep them safe.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 199472 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10276605 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 54 Name of registered person The Smart Zone Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01793 751 113 Date of previous inspection 25 July 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Smart Zone Club registered in 2001. It operates from a mobile building in the grounds of St Sampson's Primary School, Cricklade. The club opens weekdays from 7.30am until 8.45am and from 3pm to 6pm. It is open during term times only. There are 10 staff working directly with children. One of the two directors holds qualified teacher status. Of the remaining staff, six hold an appropriate childcare qualification.

p.4

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 their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the club. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Leaders discussed their evaluation of the setting with the inspector. n Parents shared their views about the club with the inspector. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children.

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

27 March 2023 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