AN inspector has praised a Downend club’s “approachable and caring” staff and effective partnerships with its host school and families.
Ofsted visited the Oldbury Court Out of School Club (OCOSC) at Christ Church Infants School in March.
It was the club’s first inspection since the regulator changed its method of assessing and grading after-school clubs.
Previously Ofsted only said whether a club met its expected standards.
Now it has colour-coded ratings, where clubs are assessed in four areas: behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; inclusion; children’s welfare and well-being; leadership and governance.
Inspector Chelsea Woollard said the club, which has places for 32 children aged from four to 10, achieved the green ‘expected standard’ in all areas.
She said: “Children build caring and trusting relationships with staff. This means children feel safe and secure in their environment.
“Children of all ages play collaboratively together.”
The inspector said the club has ‘golden rules’ for behaviour, which children generally follow well, with staff understanding the importance of “robust routines”.
She said: “Leaders ensure the environment is welcoming, safe and suitable for children. Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise and use the space well.”
The report highlighted use of the school’s hall and playground to ensure children can play inside and out, with staff “deployed effectively” to monitor each area.
Staff remind children about manners and picking up litter, acting as “positive role models”, also providing healthy snacks and social time to eat them in.
The inspector highlighted the club’s “close partnership” with the infant school, and consistent sharing of information from teachers to parents.
She said: “Parents report on the approachable and caring staff.”
To improve further the inspector said leaders should ensure all children fully understand expectations and boundaries for behaviour, and staff should ensure interactions with children support their feelings and emotions further.
Manager Charlie Sutton said: “We are extremely proud of our team and the recognition of the positive atmosphere within our after school club.
“The inspector spent time talking to the staff about our daily practice and their knowledge around childcare, as well as observing how the children played, the experiences that were available to them and how their interests were supported whilst at club.
“Providing a safe, welcoming and enjoyable space for children is at the heart of everything we do.
“We are grateful to our staff, the school staff, the children and their families for helping make our club such a success.”