Natural Steps After School Club

Inspection of Natural Steps After School Club ''The Globe'', 12 Portman Road, Reading, Berkshire RG30 1EA

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This provision meets requirements

Children feel very happy and safe at this warm and friendly club. Staff are enthusiastic and get to know the children well, even if they only attend for a few days during the holiday period. Staff gather information from parents to ensure they can meet children's individual needs. The allocated spaces within the centre are very safe and secure. Staff are deployed well and consistently support children to engage in their play.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff have clear and consistent expectations for children's behaviour. They take time at the beginning of the day to explain the rules of the club. Children demonstrate they know these as they discuss these with staff and each other during play. Staff use positive techniques to support the younger children to understand the importance of sharing and taking turns. As a result, children know what staff expect of them.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff place a strong focus on providing an unstructured, relaxed environment for children out of school hours and during their school holidays. Children engage very well in their self-chosen activities. The atmosphere is friendly and calm and children display positive behaviour. Staff support children's emotional well-being effectively.

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This provision meets requirements

Children develop their social skills and enthusiastically take part in games that require teamwork. For example, they enjoy games such as football or tag and using equipment when they throw beanbags to each other. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are encouraged to participate and enjoy their activities.

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need to do better?

n The provider has a clear vision for providing high-quality care. She seeks the views of staff, parents and children to help identify effective targets and drive ongoing improvements. Following recent feedback from children, staff have introduced further art and craft activities for children. This helps children to feel valued and listened to and feel a sense of ownership of the club. Children show exceptional concentration skills and commitment to complete complex paintings by number and take great pride in their achievements. Children say they really enjoy spending time at the club. n On the whole, staff support children's physical development well. Children use the spacious indoor room confidently, moving between their chosen activities. For example, they spontaneously select skipping ropes and stilts and have great fun as they master their balancing and skipping skills. In addition, they access

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need to do better?

the large sports hall, playing football, and have great fun playing tag.

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need to do better?

20 February 2025 n Generally, children are busy and engage in activities during the day. However, there are periods of time when children wait to move on to the next activity and are not offered extra resources or games to keep them fully occupied. Therefore, at times, children lose focus and concentration. n Children relish taking part in art activities. They select craft materials and use colour charts to mix paint and follow numbered pictures, to create complex pictures with acrylic paint. Staff encourage children to experiment with resources and be creative. Children proudly display their work and help clear away after the activity. This encourages children to respect their play environment. n Staff are very happy in their roles. They report that they love coming to work and feel extremely supported by the manager. They have regular professional development opportunities to further their knowledge and understanding of

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need to do better?

safeguarding and child development. n All staff support children to develop a good knowledge and understanding of the wider world. Children learn about different festivals and traditions of other countries and religious beliefs. Staff encourage children to be respectful of each other and their choices. n The provider and staff establish positive relationships with parents. They communicate with them at the beginning and end of every session. Staff keep parents fully informed about their children's time at the club, including what they have enjoyed doing and sharing activity ideas. Parents speak highly of the staff and comment that staff make children feel welcome, nurtured and help them to build special friendships during 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 EY305089 Local authority Reading Inspection number 10380541 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 65 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Community Mission Project

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reference number

Telephone number 01189 514444 Date of previous inspection 13 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Natural Steps After School Club registered in 2005. It is located in Reading, Berkshire. It operates a breakfast club from 7.30am until 9am and an after-school club from 3pm until 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Holiday care is provided between 8am and 6pm during school holidays. There are six members of childcare staff, of whom two hold relevant qualifications at level 3 and two hold qualifications at level 2.

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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 during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the area manager and the club supervisor about the leadership and management of the club. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children indoors. n The inspector took account of parents written feedback. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working.

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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

20 February 2025 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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