Acorn ASC & Play Scheme

Inspection of Acorn ASC & Play Scheme Ackroyd Community Centre, Ackroyd Road, LONDON SE23 1DL

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This provision meets requirements

Staff ensure children's safety and well-being when collecting them from school by accompanying them to the club in an organised and attentive manner. They regularly take headcounts and encourage children to walk in a line. On arrival, children confidently follow established routines, such as independently storing their belongings. At the start of each session, staff clearly communicate the club's rules and the activities available. This helps children to feel informed, secure and ready to engage in their play.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff thoughtfully plan engaging indoor and outdoor environments and activities. They tailor these to children's ages and interests. Staff ensure that the premises are clean, hygienic and safe before children arrive. Outdoor play is a priority, and children are free to choose to play outside in all weather conditions. They remain highly engaged in the activities throughout their time at the club.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff develop strong relationships with children and are attentive to their individual care needs. Younger children are supported by a key person, who regularly checks in with them. Staff consistently reinforce high expectations. For example, they remind children not to run indoors for safety and to wash their hands before meals. There is a strong emphasis on promoting positive behaviour and helping children to understand and manage their emotions.

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need to do better?

n Staff promote children's independence within the club by encouraging them to follow familiar routines that support their self-care skills. For example, during mealtimes in the dining hall, children independently collect their plates, use cutlery with increasing confidence and clear away after themselves. This fosters children's independence and a sense of responsibility. Staff position themselves well during these times to offer appropriate support to younger children. n Outdoor play is a valued part of the daily routine. Staff provide children with regular access to fresh air and a variety of physical activities. The well-equipped outdoor area includes stilts, balance beams, tyres, slides and obstacle courses, all designed to encourage active and cooperative play. These engaging activities help to develop children's strength, agility, coordination, balance, confidence and resilience. n Staff maintain strong communication with parents and carers. They share

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need to do better?

updates daily at collection time, including passing on any important messages from school. Parents also keep parents well informed about their children's experiences in the club. n Children demonstrate consistently positive behaviour. They listen well, follow

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need to do better?

17 July 2025 instructions, play cooperatively and show respect for one another's views. This is supported by staff's kind and caring approach and strong role modelling. Staff use specific praise to reinforce positive actions. For example, they celebrate children's confidence when they eagerly perform songs and dances for others. n Staff plan activities which they know will interest children. They ask children for their views and opinions on the activities they provide. Children know that staff will listen and act on their views. n Staff consistently give children their full attention and actively engage them in meaningful conversations. Children form strong and positive bonds with staff and their peers. This helps to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Children feel confident expressing their views, wishes and needs. Many children say they enjoy attending the club because staff are kind and friendly, which

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need to do better?

makes them feel happy and comfortable. n Managers and staff promote healthy attitudes and lifestyles through meaningful discussions and activities. They regularly check on children's well-being to ensure that they feel safe and supported. There is a strong focus on healthy living. Children engage in physical activities and interactive tasks, such as sorting food and drinks. This helps them to make informed choices and build confidence in managing their own health. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents report that communication is excellent and they are well informed. Additionally, they state that their children love the club, often asking to stay longer. Parents appreciate the club's flexibility and variety of activities. n Staff state that they feel well supported and thoroughly enjoy working at the club. They value that managers consider their feedback. Staff appreciate the training opportunities that support their professional development, which

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need to do better?

enables them to have a positive impact on children's experiences.

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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 129003 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10398099 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 50 Number of children on roll 83 Name of registered person Acorn ASC & Holiday Playscheme Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 020 8291 3181 Date of previous inspection 3 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Acorn ASC & Play Scheme registered in 1995 and is located in Forest Hill, in the London Borough of Lewisham. The club opens for breakfast club from 7.30am to 9am and after school from 3.30pm until 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. There is also a holiday playscheme, which runs from 8am until 6pm. There are nine members of staff. Of these, the manager holds qualified teacher status, two members of staff hold qualifications at level 3 and one member of staff holds a qualification at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n Managers showed the inspector around the club. They discussed how they keep children safe and plan activities for children. n The inspector observed staff bringing children into the club from their schools. n Parents, staff and children shared their views of the club with the inspector. n Managers showed the inspector relevant documentation. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children during the inspection. n Managers engaged in a meeting with the inspector to discuss the leadership and management of the 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

17 July 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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