EGASC

Inspection of EGASC North Reading Children's Centre, Grove Road, Emmer Green, Reading RG4 8LN

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This provision meets requirements

All children thoroughly enjoy their time at this well-organised and friendly club. Many of the staff also work at the host school where children attend. This helps children build positive and trusted relationships with staff, who know them well. Children fully immerse themselves in what the club has to offer. They show high levels of confidence, independence and commitment. For example, staff select children to take on roles of responsibility, such as tea helpers and safety monitors. Children eagerly action these roles with enthusiasm, showing they develop a true sense of belonging. Children of all ages behave very well. They work with staff and their friends to decide on the club rules. They show great maturity as they ensure they follow these.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff support children's emotional well-being incredibly well. For instance, children share how they are feeling as soon as staff collect them from school. Staff respond with kindness and compassion, asking them what they can do to help them feel happier. This is evident when some children state they are anxious about the forthcoming sports day at school. Staff actively support them to make trophies and medals from junk modelling to help put their minds at ease. Children are proud of their creations and are keen to show these to new visitors. Older children follow this good example set by staff and talk calmly to younger ones when they notice they need reassurance. This helps to create a respectful and calm atmosphere for children to play happily and flourish.

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need to do better?

n The club manager actively reflects on practice and drives continual improvement. She wants the club to be a place where children do well and want to come to. The club manager gains feedback from children, staff and parents to help inform her vision. For example, children readily contribute to the planning of activities and menus to incorporate healthy meal options, which are sometimes from children's home cultures. The club manager and her staff highly value children's contributions and use their ideas to make the environment appealing for all. As part of their ongoing journey for improvement, the club manager and her staff recognise the need to carefully consider how they can promote more opportunities for gender inclusiveness, so that girls and boys interact more with each other. n Staff form good working relationships with the host school. They communicate with school staff regularly to enhance children's experiences. The club manager

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need to do better?

ensures that staff cater to the individual needs of children. For instance, staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively. They work in close partnership with parents and the school to fully

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need to do better?

18 June 2024 understand the best ways to meet the needs of each individual and adapt their approach accordingly. This successfully helps children with SEND to happily take part in the activities on offer. n Staff develop children's understanding of how to adopt a healthy lifestyle. For example, children take part in a game of 'elephant football' outside. They show good coordination and control when passing the ball to each other. Children thoroughly enjoy the nutritionally balanced home-cooked meals. Staff use these opportunities to talk to children about their favourite food and making healthy food choices. Children understand the importance of remaining hydrated, refilling their water bottles and drinking from them independently. They follow good hygiene routines and know why they need to wash their hands before eating. This supports children's understanding of how to stay fit and maintain good health.

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need to do better?

n The club manager and staff ensure that children are continually safe at the club. They carry out robust risk assessments of the indoor and outdoor environments that children have access to. Staff deploy themselves well to ensure children's enjoyment and security. They allow children opportunities to recognise risks and consider how to manage their safety, such as when safety monitors check that doors are closed and there is sufficient drinking water available. n The club manager ensures that staff fully understand their roles and responsibilities. She holds regular, individual supervision meetings with them, which help to identify staff's personalised training opportunities. The club manager values the benefits of staff accessing training. She takes account of staff's well-being, providing continuous support and guidance. Staff report that the club manager celebrates their achievements, which helps to make a strong

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need to do better?

and cohesive team. n Parents are extremely complimentary of the care that staff provide. They express their gratitude when they talk about how staff provide a personalised approach towards their children, such as encouraging more healthy eating habits. Staff work hard to encourage new friendships with children of all ages. Parents report that their children are more sociable and independent since starting at the club. Parents are very well informed about their children's time at the club and staff relay important messages from school swiftly. Parents appreciate the close working relationship they have with all staff, which helps to provide continuity of care for children between home and the club.

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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 EY364352 Local authority Reading Inspection number 10350915 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 32 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Emmer Green After School Club Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07505689134 Date of previous inspection 13 September 2018

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Information about this early years setting

EGASC provides after school care for children. They operate from the Youth and Community Centre in the Emmer Green area of Reading. The club re-registered in 2007. It is open from Monday to Friday, 3.15pm to 6pm, term time only. It employs six members of staff. Of these, five staff members hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the after-school club received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the club manager 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 The club manager discussed with the inspector about how the provision and care for the children are organised. n The inspector talked to children, staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the after-school club.

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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

18 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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