St Paul's Stars Breakfast and After School Club

Inspection of St Paul's Stars Breakfast and After School Club St. Pauls RC Primary School, City Road, Tilehurst, READING RG31 4SZ

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This provision meets requirements

Children are excited to arrive at the club. They are greeted by warm and friendly staff, who are familiar faces from school. Children have access to a wealth of resources, both inside and out. They engage in playful experiences, such as hide and seek, and they happily sit with others, developing hand muscles as they play with dough. Play leaders put great emphasis on being active and they encourage children to maintain a healthy balanced diet. They support children to make healthy choices around exercise and food, providing opportunities for children to help prepare healthy snacks and tea, such as fruit kebabs. They go on to serve these to their friends.

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This provision meets requirements

Children are at the centre of club and staff know them extremely well. Therefore, their individual needs are met consistently well. Play leaders meet children's emotional needs effectively. For example, new children to the club are supported if they become upset. Staff reassure them and check in on them frequently during the session to make sure they are happy and settled. Children benefit from opportunities to play with children of different ages and they are building great friendships across age groups. Children respond to the high expectations staff have of them. They behave well and, consequently, the club is very calm.

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need to do better?

n Children are greeted warmly by the staff team as they arrive at the club. It is well organised, and children are familiar with the routines expected, such as where to put their belongings. Key people are deployed well for the younger children, and they understand each child's individual needs. This enhances the already secure attachments children demonstrate towards the staff team. n Staff provide opportunities for children to explore a wide range of activities that support their personal interests. They provide a rich environment, which further supports children's emotional and physical well-being. For example, children enjoy opportunities to rest and relax in a purposely placed quiet reading area that staff have created for them. n Children are encouraged to risk assess in their play. For instance, they test these skills as they work out how to move and navigate pull-along vehicles along a route. They consider with their friends if they should stand or sit before they are

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need to do better?

pulled along. Staff support these conversations and ask questions that allow children time to reflect and think. This promotes children's confidence. n All children demonstrate positive behaviour. They interact beautifully with each other across age groups. Friendships are clearly made, and the children show mutual respect for others. For example, children build birthday cakes from play dough and offer to a friend who has a birthday that day. Children are supported

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need to do better?

19 April 2023 by a nurturing team, who help them regulate their feelings and emotions. For instance, staff listen and respond in a nurturing manner to all children. This demonstrates positive relationships that help children feel safe and secure. n The club has positive partnerships with parents, committee members and the school. Parents and school staff comment positively on the support from and community feel of the club. Leaders put a great deal of energy into managing the club. They are clear that the children are central through a strong sense of values. The emphasis on working together with staff at other settings children attend helps to meet children's individual needs. For example, the school staff support with daily communications around additional support needs. Partnerships with the school are highly effective in promoting children's personal development. n The staff team comment that they are valued and respected. They say that they

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need to do better?

feel part of a wider team and family. Leaders ensure that staff receive adequate supervisions and have opportunities to meet as a team regularly. They provide effective training for staff that further enhances the opportunities for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders ensure that the staff team are deployed effectively across the club. This ensures that children are always safely supervised. They work alongside the school to ensure regular risk assessments are carried out to ensure that the spaces used are safe and suitable each day. For example, they share information about routine assessments of outside play equipment. Staff complete regular training, which helps to ensure that their safeguarding knowledge is up to date. For instance, through discussion, staff demonstrate a secure knowledge of how to identify possible signs of abuse. They know what action to take should they have concerns about a child's welfare.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 110674 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10263967 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 64 Number of children on roll 108 Name of registered person St Pauls Stars After School Club Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 0778 9046291 Date of previous inspection 18 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

St Paul's Stars Breakfast and After School Club registered in 1999. It opens from 7.30am to 8.50am and from 3.20pm to 6pm Monday to Friday, during term time only. Seven staff are currently employed at the club, five of whom hold recognised childcare qualifications at level 3.

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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 their evaluation of the provider. n A sample of documents was reviewed by the inspector. This included evidence of staff suitability and first-aid certificates. n The inspector took a tour of the club with the play leader. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with the children during indoor and outdoor activities. The inspector used this time to hold discussions with staff. n The inspector held conversations with children. n The views of parents were considered by speaking with them.

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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

19 April 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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