Ofsted found the quality and standards of early years provision were ‘met’ at Saltergate Kids Club in Harrogate.
The findings were published in a report on Thursday, December 21, following an inspection in November.
When inspecting out-of-school settings, Ofsted only judges on the overall effectiveness of the quality and standards of the early years provision. This is because these settings do not need to meet the learning and development requirements of the early years foundation stage.
There are three possible outcomes: met, not met with actions and not met with enforcement.
Government inspectors said the staff at the out-of-school club, which operates from within Saltergate Infant School in Harrogate, are “friendly” and “familiar”. They said children arrive “happy and excited to meet their friends”.
It said children are “extremely settled” at the club, which registered in 2003.
Children were praised for the “high levels of focus and concentration” put into the activities on offer, while older children were found to be “caring” towards younger ones.
The report said:
“Staff are very attentive and have quality interactions with the children.
“There is a busy and happy atmosphere as children play games together.
“Children enjoy being creative.
“Children’s artwork is celebrated and displayed within the room, creating a sense of achievement and belonging.”
Children are encouraged to use their voices in the setting, which teaches them that their thoughts and ideas are important and valued, inspectors added.
Staff were also praised for the range of physical activities offered to children:
“Staff provide a range of opportunities for children to be physically active. For example, staff teach children how to play a variety of outdoor games.
“Children demonstrate persistence and resilience when learning to use the bat and ball.”
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The report also said children are “learning to be independent” and “behave well”.
Ofsted also said staff members communicate daily with the teachers at the host school.
It found the club, which has 38 children on roll, “mirrors the behaviour management strategies” the school adopts, which provides “consistency for children’s understanding of how to behave appropriately”.
The report added:
“Parents comment that staff are very approachable, friendly and that they feel fully informed about their children’s time at the club.
“They say their children are always happy, want to attend and settle quickly.
“Parents say they are grateful for the service provided and feel reassured their children are in safe hands.”
‘Continue to ensure the highest of standards are maintained’
Sally Wray, manager at Saltergate Kids Club, said in response to the report:
“We are ecstatic to have been awarded a good grade once again.
“I am so proud of all of our team and our children – we have a brilliant wraparound care setting for our families, and we will continue to work together to ensure the highest of standards are maintained.”
Saltergate Kids Club opens Monday to Friday from 8am – 8:45am and from 3.15pm – 6pm, during term time.
The services are offered to children from reception up to year 6.
The club was previously rated ‘good’ in 2018 following an ‘inadequate’ grading the year prior.
