Ecclesall Kids Club

Inspection of Ecclesall Kids Club Ecclesall Primary School, High Storrs Road, Sheffield S11 7LG

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This provision does not meet requirements

The provider does not ensure that staff sufficiently promote certain aspects of children's welfare or fully understand safeguarding policies and procedures. They do not consistently ensure the continued suitability of some staff. The organisation of the key-person system in the holiday club does not meet children's individual needs and fully foster their emotional well-being. Partnership working with parents and carers is not fully effective in ensuring a shared and consistent approach to children's care. The provider does not put in place effective coaching, support and mentoring of staff.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Despite this, children excitedly enter the club and play happily. Staff set out activities and resources to welcome children in and offer a warm and friendly greeting. Children are at ease with staff, which helps them to develop positive relationships. Children lead their own play and develop their independence. They are able to choose where they would like to play, such as inside or outdoors, in line with their preferences. Children enjoy an Easter egg hunt in the playground and some choose to take part in an indoor animal workshop.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Children behave well and respond positively to instructions. They understand that they need to sit quietly, so as not to frighten the creatures during an animal workshop. Children patiently wait their turn to gently handle the animals. Staff model kind and respectful behaviour. This is reflected in the many social skills that children display, such as sharing resources during Easter craft activities.

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need to do better?

n During the holiday club, children of different ages attend together. However, the deployment of staff does not sufficiently meet children's needs and promote their welfare. For example, mealtimes are not organised well and some children continue to wash their hands, while others start eating unsupervised. This poses a risk of choking, as does children wandering around unnoticed as they eat fruit from the accessible fruit bowl. n Although staff undertake training, the provider does not ensure that they have a secure and up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues. For example, some staff do not demonstrate an understanding of extreme behaviours and views, and the signs associated with these. They do not understand external whistle- blowing procedures. n The provider has rigorous recruitment and vetting procedures in place to ensure the suitability of new staff. However, they do not sufficiently check the continued

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need to do better?

suitability of some supply staff after gaps working away from the club. n During term time, staff implement a key-person system and obtain information

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need to do better?

9 April 2025 about children before they start, such as their likes and interests. This helps staff to tailor children's care around their individual needs, helps them to settle and become familiar with the club. n Key-person arrangements are not in place during the holiday club. Consequently, children do not receive enough support from a key adult to meet their individual needs and help them to feel secure. This includes children who do not attend the host school. Leaders do not sufficiently ensure that staff recognise and respond to children who would benefit from adult interactions when they are not engaged or are playing alone. n Parents have extensive information available to them via the club's website. However, there is a lack of information sharing during handover periods to support children's transitions and promote continuity in their care. n There are varying arrangements in place for the coaching, mentoring and

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need to do better?

continued professional development of staff. However, this is not having a positive impact on ensuring staff understand their roles and responsibilities in meeting children's needs. n Staff provide a wealth of opportunities for children to develop their friendships. For example, children have great fun joining in with games that promote their physical skills, such as an egg and spoon race, and throwing beanbags into hoops. n Staff help to complement children's early literacy and mathematical skills from school. For example, they set out mark-making resources, tabletop games and a reading area. Children listen attentively to an animated story and enjoy counting how many Easter eggs they find. n Staff help to strengthen children's small-muscle skills. For example, children concentrate intently as they use scissors to cut out Easter-themed templates. Children develop their creative skills as they decide how to decorate these.

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need to do better?

n During term time, the designated early years team plans a wealth of exciting activities linked to planning from the Reception class. This helps them to complement children's experiences, skills and knowledge they develop at school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

9 April 2025 deploy staff effectively to meet the needs of children and ensure their safety 23/04/2025

p.3

Due date

train all staff to fully understand the safeguarding policy and procedures and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of all safeguarding issues 23/04/2025

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Due date

put in place robust arrangements for consistently checking staff's ongoing suitability 23/04/2025

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Due date

improve the consistency of the key- person system to tailor the provision and care to meet the needs of children 23/04/2025

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Due date

maintain a two-way flow of information with parents 23/04/2025

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Due date

improve the arrangements for supporting, coaching and training staff, to improve their practice. 23/04/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2725053 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 10392913 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 45 Number of children on roll 676 Name of registered person Ecclesall Kids Club CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01142681116 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Ecclesall Kids Club re-registered in 2023 due to changing its legal entity to a charity incorporated organisation. It is independently run and operates from Ecclesall Primary School in Sheffield. The club employs 32 members of childcare staff. This includes key staff and supply play workers. There are 11 staff members who hold relevant qualifications ranging from level 2 to qualified teacher status. During term time, the club opens Monday to Friday, from 7.40am to 8.45am and from 3.15pm to 6pm. The club is open from 7.40am to 6pm during school holidays, except for the Christmas holidays, one week at Easter and two weeks over the summer holidays. The holiday club is open to children who attend other schools within the local community.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector completed a learning walk and discussions with the joint managers of the club, one of whom is the early years foundation stage (EYFS) lead. This helped the inspector to find out how the club is organised and the range of activities provided. n The inspector spoke to children and staff during the inspection. She gained the views of parents verbally and via emails. n The inspector discussed the leadership and management of the club with the managers and carried out a joint observation with the EYFS lead. n The inspector checked a sample of documentation, including those relating to 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

9 April 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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