Aldermaston Oaks

Inspection of Aldermaston Oaks Aldermaston C Of E School, Wasing Lane, Aldermaston, Reading RG7 4LX

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This provision meets requirements

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting following their school day. They confidently arrive and know the routines to follow, such as putting their belongings away. They quickly choose from resources and activities and settle to play. Children understand the routines and behaviour expectations well. For example, they line up sensibly to go outdoors and again when they return indoors. Staff remind children of the behaviour expected, such as being kind and playing safely around and with each other.

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This provision meets requirements

Children understand the expectation that they wash their hands before serving themselves their food. They make independent choices from the healthy range of food on offer. During the inspection, children had a varied choice of fresh fruit, salad items and vegetables with pancakes, for example.

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This provision meets requirements

Children form positive relationships with each other and staff. Children happily mix across the age groups during self-chosen play and activities. Staff engage well with children, joining them at their play and activities. They complement children's school learning, such as using descriptive words during discussions and encouraging counting. Staff understand the importance of providing extra support to children who may need it. This includes those who are new to the setting and children who may have additional needs.

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need to do better?

n The setting is led and managed effectively. Staff recruitment processes are robust to check new staff's suitability to work with children. Staff feel well supported in their roles, including new staff during their well-planned induction. Senior staff help to guide new staff successfully. This helps staff to understand their roles and responsibilities, which contributes to the setting operating smoothly and safely. n Staff take part in individual and team meetings to support them in their work. They have opportunities for training and professional development to develop their skills and knowledge. This includes gaining formal qualifications and completing training tailored to children's individual needs. This helps staff gain more understanding of how to support children. n Children make choices about their play and activities. Staff get to know children and what they like to do. They put out resources and activities that reflect

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need to do better?

children's interests. In addition, children can ask staff for different toys and make suggestions for activities. Staff engage with children positively and support them to play together. They also plan activities linked to times of the year, such as celebrations, which reflect different cultures, religions and traditions.

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need to do better?

16 May 2024 n The indoor play environment is set up well. Overall, staff promote children's well-being securely. They organise areas for children to be energetic and active and quiet areas, which enables them to rest and relax. Staff provide drinking water and cups in different areas of the hall. In addition, some children use their own water bottles when they need a drink. Although drinks are easily accessible to children, staff do not always encourage all children to regularly have a drink. n Children very much enjoy being outside. They take part in plenty of physical activity, such as football and skipping games. On the day of the inspection, children mainly had physical activities outdoors to choose from. Staff are deployed effectively to supervise children and promote their safety. They use walkie-talkies to communicate with each other. For instance, staff let each other know if children need to go indoors to use the toilet.

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need to do better?

n Children have positive attitudes to their play. They play well as a mixed-age group during appropriate activities. This helps to include all children. Children encourage each other to have a go, such as to get over and under a skipping rope in different ways. Staff supervise and remind children about being safe while allowing them to try things out for themselves. n Staff have strong partnerships with parents and the school staff. The communication between all parties involved in children's care and education is very effective. This successfully promotes continuity in meeting children's needs. Parents speak highly about the setting and their children's time there. They compliment the staff team and activities and state that their children really enjoy their time there.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2668958 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10339442 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 50 Number of children on roll 53

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Name of registered person

Oaks Childcare Clubs Community Interest Company

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reference number

Telephone number 0118 9713362 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Aldermaston Oaks registered in 2022. It operates from Aldermaston Church of England School located in the village of Aldermaston, near Reading, Berkshire. The setting is open Monday to Friday during term time only. There is a morning session before school from 7.30am and an after-school session from 3.15pm to 6pm. There are five core staff who regularly work with the children before and after school. Of these, two have recognised childcare qualifications at level 4 and some staff have completed common core skills training for childcare.

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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 provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Discussions and meetings were held with the nominated individual and staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector observed children's play and activities and their daily routines indoors and outdoors. n The inspector spoke to some children at appropriate times, to find out about their time at the setting. n Several parents provided feedback to the inspector during the inspection and some written feedback from other parents was also received. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff.

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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

16 May 2024 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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