4 Community Trust Victoria Park

Inspection of 4 Community Trust Victoria Park Victoria Park Primary Academy, 99 Ballot Street, Smethwick B66 3HH

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This provision meets requirements

Children are safely escorted from their classrooms to the main school hall, where they are warmly welcomed by the club staff. Children clearly feel comfortable and confident in this familiar environment and quickly settle into activities and socialise with their friends. Staff consult weekly with children about what they enjoy most, and incorporate these experiences into the weekly plans. Arts and crafts activities are made available daily in relation to children's ideas and requests. For example, children requested sewing and have made bags. Children are completely absorbed as they use various boxes and adhesive tape to make their elaborate creations. Staff support children well to extend their ideas as they request further items, such as feathers, to decorate their models.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff help children well to understand the needs of others and to care for each other. For example, older children help younger children as they tie their laces and open doors for them. Children form an orderly queue when they go to wash their hands. They are eager to fill their own wraps and enjoy the snack provided. Staff are good play partners and children enjoy their company. For example, children pretend to take their pets to the vets after learning about how vets care for animals, and staff indulge this fantasy play. Staff create daily opportunities for children to be physical outdoors. Children enjoy being active outdoors as they use a varied range of physical play equipment.

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need to do better?

n The club leader is supported well by members of the leadership team to ensure the smooth running of the club. There are robust monitoring systems in place, and roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood by all. For example, a member of the leadership team carries out regular checks to monitor practice and ensure consistency across all the clubs. There are effective systems in place to ensure the club leader and staff benefit from regular supervision sessions, training and support to help extend their practice. n The leadership team and staff recognise the importance of working closely with staff from the on-site school for the benefit of children. In addition, some of the staff also work at the school during the day and this helps them build close relationships with children and understand their personalities and needs. They follow the school's behaviour management policy and strategies to help ensure

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need to do better?

consistency for children. There are effective systems in place to obtain the required information to help meet the needs of children to promote their health and keep them safe. n There are effective systems in place to keep parents up to date about the club. For example, the electronic application used ensures parents are kept updated,

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need to do better?

12 June 2024 and all the required records and policies are uploaded to the system. Annual parents' surveys are undertaken and any suggestions and ideas acted upon. For example, changes have been made to the snacks provided on the request of parents. Parents report their children are happy and enjoy attending. n Staff successfully consult with children daily about their interests and preferences and make these resources and activities available for them. Children show high levels of enjoyment and their interest, for instance, in superheroes is built on well. Staff value children's contributions and this helps children develop a sense of belonging and ownership for the club. n Promoting children's personal, social and emotional development and their behaviour is given high regard. Staff know children well and swiftly identify any triggers for children's behaviour patterns. This helps staff skilfully use

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need to do better?

appropriate de-escalation strategies to support any children who may become emotionally overwhelmed. Children understand behaviour expectations as they are consistent with the school's code of behaviour. n There is an effective key-person system to help staff build a close relationship with their assigned key children. Staff make the time to get to know children's home circumstances, personalities and preferences when they first start. There are strong systems in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Staff confidently challenge any negative stereotypes and teach children about the needs of others and disability. Children have plenty of opportunities to talk about their cultural differences and take part in a variety of cultural festivals. For example, staff provide a variety of cultural food tasting and music for children to experience.

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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 2685822 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 10350793 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 19 Number of children on roll 124

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Name of registered person

4 Community Trust Community Interest Company

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reference number

Telephone number 07365526220 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

4 Community Trust Victoria Park registered in 2022. The club runs from Victoria Park Primary Academy in Smethwick. The before- and after-school club opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 7.30am until 8.50am and 3.20pm until 6pm. A holiday play scheme also operates from 7.30am to 6pm during the main school holidays. The club employs four members of staff. Of these, two hold an early years qualification at level 3, one holds an appropriate qualification at level 2 and the other holds a level 1 qualification.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first 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 the evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and the leader of the club completed a learning walk together to gather information about the experiences provided. n The inspector observed the quality of experiences provided and assessed the impact this has on children's enjoyment. n The inspector held a meeting with the management team. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club. n The inspector took into account the views of parents.

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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

12 June 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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