Little Oaks Holiday Club

Inclusion: Expected standard

Although there are currently no children with special educational needs and/or disabilities attending the holiday club, leaders and staff know the children well and understand the importance of identifying and responding to individual needs. Information is gathered from parents and carers before children start at the club, helping staff understand their interests, preferences and any circumstances that may affect their participation or wellbeing.

Leaders recognise that children attending are of different ages and may have differing interests, levels of confidence and independence. A broad range of activities are available, including quieter activities, creative experiences, construction, role play, physical activities and games. This provides children with choice and opportunities to participate in experiences that reflect their individual interests and abilities. However, staff do not always proactively encourage children to make full use of the range of activities available, particularly when children become settled with one preferred activity.

The club is accessible to families through flexible attendance arrangements, including shorter and longer days. This provides parents with choice and enables children to attend for periods that are appropriate to their circumstances and needs. Leaders know the children and families who use the provision well and maintain positive relationships with parents. This helps staff respond to any emerging barriers to children's participation or wellbeing.

Although there are currently no children receiving additional funding or known to children's social care, leaders understand their responsibility to identify and respond promptly should circumstances change. They are committed to ensuring that all children are welcomed, included and able to participate fully in the experiences offered.

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Expected standard

Leaders have established a positive and welcoming environment, where children understand the club's expectations and behave well. Children have positive relationships with staff and with each other. Generally, they play harmoniously together, listen to one another, negotiate, take turns and resolve minor disagreements appropriately. Children work cooperatively during games and activities. Staff and children adapt rules according to the different ages and abilities of those taking part. Staff know children well and generally use their interests to support positive engagement in activities.

Typically, children show positive attitudes towards the activities available and are enthusiastic about attending. They make choices about how they spend their time and engage well in creative, physical and imaginative experiences. Leaders monitor attendance and understand the importance of children attending regularly and feeling a sense of belonging within the club.

Sometimes, expectations for children's independence and responsibility are not consistently reinforced. Staff routinely clear away crockery and other items after meals and tidy activities without involving children, despite children being capable of completing these tasks. As a result, children are not consistently expected to take responsibility for their belongings, resources and the shared environment, to help them develop key skills for life.

Overall, children behave well and have positive relationships with staff and each other. The calm and supportive environment contributes to children's positive attitudes and enjoyment of attending.

Children's welfare and wellbeing: Expected standard

Leaders prioritise children's welfare and wellbeing and provide a calm, welcoming environment, where children feel safe, secure and valued. Staff know children and their families well and build positive relationships that support children's emotional wellbeing. Children confidently share their views and talk positively about their experiences at the club. Leaders listen to children's views and recognise that children would like a greater range of sports-based activities. This forms part of leaders' understanding of how provision can develop to better reflect children's interests.

Children have daily opportunities to be physically active through outdoor play and games and are supported to develop healthy habits. Healthy snacks are provided, in line with current guidance, and children are encouraged to drink regularly, particularly during hot weather. Parents and carers provide lunch boxes and are encouraged to make healthy choices. Children develop independence at mealtimes by serving themselves, choosing food and accessing their own lunch boxes. However, children are not consistently involved in clearing away after meals, to further support their developing independence and responsibility for their environment.

Children understand the agreed limits around computer game use and demonstrate understanding of how to stay safe online. Children waiting for their turn often enjoy watching their friends play, although this means that their overall exposure to screen-based activity can extend beyond their allocated playing time. Leaders recognise the importance of balancing children's enjoyment of video games with opportunities to engage in the wider range of activities available. However, staff do not always monitor children's overall screen exposure or encourage them to make use of the many alternative activities on offer.

Leadership and governance: Expected standard

Leaders typically have a clear understanding of the strengths of the holiday club and are committed to providing positive experiences for children and families. They know the children and families who attend and use their views to help shape the provision. Leaders have identified the positive relationships between staff and children, the range and flexibility of activities and the secure relationships with parents and carers as key strengths. They are also aware of areas for further development, including providing more information to parents about forthcoming activities and increasing the range of sports-based opportunities in response to children's interests.

Leaders maintain oversight of the day-to-day running of the club and have effective systems to support children's safety and wellbeing. Safeguarding responsibilities are understood, with appropriate procedures in place for recruitment, induction, training and responding to concerns. Staff complete mandatory training and leaders ensure that staff understand their responsibilities. Staff are deployed appropriately and leaders provide support, where needed, to ensure that children's needs are met.

Parents have positive relationships with the staff and value the communication and practical support provided. Parents speak highly of staff, activities available and the healthy food provided. Leaders' positive relationships with children, families and staff contribute to the welcoming culture of the club.