The Alpha Club

Inspection of The Alpha Club Montbelle School, Milverton Way, LONDON SE9 3EY

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This provision meets requirements

Children arrive confidently at the club and show that they are happy and content. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in their surroundings as they quickly put their things on a table and go off to explore the activities around the room. Staff sit at the tables with them and ensure children are happy and safe as they talk to them about their day and encourage them to share their own thoughts and feelings. Children form good relationships with adults who have high expectations of them, which means they behave well. They respond positively to adults and enjoy spending time with them. They follow familiar routines, such as stopping what they are doing when an adult claps their hands and indicates it is time to do the register.

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This provision meets requirements

Children enjoy exploring the indoor and outdoor areas. They develop their physical skills outside by playing football and exploring a den-making area. Children are encouraged to explore and learn about the world around them. For example, a small group of children were engrossed in finding snails and making a habitat for them, while adults carefully discussed their choices with them. Children say they enjoy attending the club and that the staff are helpful. They like the food provided by the club and enjoy reading stories with adults.

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need to do better?

n Staff put children first, and they act as positive role models and are caring and kind towards them. They get to know the children well and make necessary adjustments to such things as staffing and the environment in order to support individual children's needs and well-being. They give children a voice by asking them what they would like to do each week. They use table discussions to find out about children's interests and use this information to plan future activities. This helps children feel valued and raises their self-esteem. Staff also consider the different areas of learning and provide a variety of activities to support them, tailoring provision to the different ages of children attending the club. n Staff support children's personal development well by talking about the club rules, which link to modern British values. They develop children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe by reminding them to do such things as walking

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need to do better?

inside and holding a knife safely while they chop up vegetables for snack time. Children develop good hygiene habits and independently remember to use hand sanitiser when they arrive and before eating. n Parents say that their children are well cared for and supervised at the club and that their children are always happy to attend. They feel that the staff are approachable, communicate with them well and pass on information from school. They also feel that the club is good at meeting children's individual

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need to do better?

4 July 2023 needs. n Leaders have a vision for the club. They value their staff and spend time with them, monitoring and supporting staff with their training needs. They are committed to ensuring that their staff have the knowledge and skills they need to do their job well by offering them such things as apprenticeships and online learning. They also have regular reviews and meetings to address any individual needs. Staff say they feel well supported and can ask leaders for help if they need it. n Staff provide children with lots of resources that help them build on the skills they learn at school. For example, they develop their social, creative and literacy skills as they sit happily chatting to each other while they make cards and write messages in them for their teachers. They play independently and enthusiastically in the busy environment. However, some children would benefit from some quieter areas to relax and rest in if they need to.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have completed yearly online training and kept their knowledge of safeguarding and child protection issues up to date. Staff know the signs and symptoms of abuse and who to go to should they have concerns about a child's welfare. There are recruitment procedures in place to ensure that all adults are suitable to work with children. They make daily checks of the indoor and outdoor environments to check that the areas and equipment are safe for the children to use. Termly fire drills mean that all staff and children understand and know what to do in the event of a fire.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY381503 Local authority Greenwich Inspection number 10295235 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 28 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Alpha Chains Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07939 528 678 Date of previous inspection 20 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Alpha Club opened in 2008. It is part of the Alpha Chains group of out-of- school provisions. It operates from Montbelle School in Eltham, in the London Borough of Greenwich. The club employs four members of staff, and one of those holds a level 3 qualification. The club is open from Monday to Friday. Sessions are from 7.30am to 8.45am and 3.30pm to 6.30pm.

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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 The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor environments. n The inspector observed and assessed the impact of the quality of staff interactions and the play opportunities they provide for children. n At convenient times during the inspection, the inspector spoke to the manager, children, parents and staff and considered their views. n Written documentation was reviewed. This included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.

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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

4 July 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

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