School's Out Holiday Squad

Inspection of School's Out Holiday Squad Meadowhead County Infant School, Shorrock Lane, Blackburn BB2 4TT

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This provision meets requirements

Children enjoy their time at the vibrant after-school club. They happily socialise with their friends from other schools and with children of different ages. Staff work hard to ensure that the club promotes healthy lifestyles and to get children excited about being active. Children eagerly anticipate their turn to participate in the neon- disco dodgeball, for example. Staff plan daily sports sessions and outdoor games such as football and rounders for children to join. Children enjoy weekly 'food- technology' sessions where they learn cooking and baking skills and create their own recipes. Children help staff to plan craft activities which are themed around the seasons and celebrations, for instance. They proudly show their creations to parents when they arrive to collect them.

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This provision meets requirements

Children behave well and understand the routines at the club. They understand why they must stay in certain areas where staff can see them to stay safe. Children meet the high expectations of staff and are polite and thoughtful towards one another. For instance, older children pause a football game when a younger child wanders onto their pitch. They wait patiently for the child to leave the pitch before resuming their game. Children chat happily to staff and visitors about their day and their activities, demonstrating their feelings of belonging and security.

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need to do better?

n The provider shares their clear vision for the club with staff and is receptive to ideas to make continual improvements. Staff enjoy their roles and are committed to enhancing their skills through training in their specialist areas such as sports. The provider utilises staff's individual strengths so that children benefit from staff's expertise and skills. n The provider holds biannual staff meetings and annual individual staff supervisions. While staff report feeling supported in their roles, the infrequency of these arrangements does not fully support staff's clear understanding of all the policies and procedures of the club. Staff's knowledge is sufficient for their roles but the clarity of their understanding about some policies and procedures is inconsistent. n Staff help children to evaluate their surroundings and to manage risk as they play on challenging outdoor play equipment. Although children demonstrate a

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need to do better?

sound understanding of using technology appropriately and safely, staff do not always promote their understanding of the risks associated with the internet to the highest level. This does not fully support children's holistic understanding of how to keep themselves safe in all areas of life. n Staff and children have created a behaviour management system. The club has produced a large chart which is displayed and visible. This helps to reinforce

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need to do better?

15 October 2024 consistent messages and children respond by behaving well. They are also eager to be 'star of the week' and are proud to achieve this accolade. This helps to create an orderly environment where children can relax and have fun after their busy school day. n Staff promote children's choices and independence skills well. Children order their choice of meal when they arrive and line up when asked to collect their food. Children pour their drinks and clear their plates from the table. They learn social skills as they sit together for meals. n Staff use topical events such as international football competitions to help children understand more about the world. They find out about traditional food and celebrations from other countries and cultures through their activities. This helps children to understand more about life in modern Britain. n The youngest children have a key member of staff to support them as they

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need to do better?

settle at the club. Their key person gathers information from their parents to get to know them well and liaises with their school staff. This helps to support the consistency of children's care between the club, school and home. Consequently, children settle quickly and gain confidence as they move between school and the club. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Support staff from children's schools also work at the club and understand their needs well. They implement consistent strategies, such as visual choice cards, to help all children to get the most benefit from their time at 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 2688645 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10355186 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 40 Number of children on roll 65 Name of registered person Baker, Christopher

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reference number

Telephone number 07783165251 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

School's Out Holiday Squad registered in 2022 and is an after-school club operating independently from Meadowhead County Infant School, Blackburn. Opening times are from 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. The club employs five childcare staff who all hold appropriate qualifications at level 2. The manager holds an appropriate level 3 qualification.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the club. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The provider spoke with the inspector about the leadership and management of the club. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The provider and the inspector carried out joint observations of group activities together. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. 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

15 October 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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