Breakfast & After School Club celebrates Ofsted rating

Shenfield Day Nursery Breakfast and After School, at St. Mary's CofE Primary School, is celebrating, after receiving a highly positive report from Ofsted.

Following the inspection earlier this month, it achieved the best possible result: with all the quality and standards of early years provision being judged as ‘Met’. The club is described as being a “welcoming, bright and fun play environment” and the inspector commented on the “relaxed and happy atmosphere throughout the session.”

Located in Brentwood, the club serves children aged from 4 to 11-years-old. It operates from the primary school site, in a bespoke building and with access to the school playground and large field areas.

The Ofsted report highlighted the club’s open and positive culture, the strong focus on children’s independence and putting the children’s interests first.

In their findings, Ofsted inspectors commented how effective communication at the end of the school day when children are collected by familiar staff from the children’s teachers in the school library gives a ‘continuity of care’, and the opportunity for relevant information to be shared. This ensures “children that have demonstrated a keen interest in topics during the school day, can continue their learning and enjoyment at club.”

In addition, the report notes how many parents “appreciate the nutritious, warm meals their children are offered.”

Inspectors praised how children are encouraged to pour drinks and self-serve salad to accompany their meal, whilst staff sit with them, engaging in conversations about their day at school.

A wide variety of breakfast options are available each day at the club including: toasted muffins; pancakes and fresh fruit. The club’s teatime menus include a variety of freshly prepared hot meals such as quiches, baked potatoes, pasta dishes or fish cakes. Every effort is made to provide for special diets if required.

In the report, the inspectors also highlighted the priority given by staff to ensure the children's emotional well-being is supported.

The report states, “All children, including the very youngest, demonstrate they feel safe and secure…The very youngest children are independent but seek help and reassurance when needed.”

A key strength of the club lies in its relationships with both children and parents. Ofsted noted how the experienced staff strive to make the introduction to the club as happy and successful as possible, building relationships with both children and their families to help the settling in process and beyond.

Speaking to inspectors, parents commented on their “complete gratitude for all aspects of the service provided and the care their children receive. They say they feel fully informed as to what their children do at the club as communication is good.”

Breakfast and After School Club Manager, Sharon, has welcomed the report and its findings. She says, “This report highlights the club’s dedication to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can thrive. There’s nothing better than helping a child to achieve their full potential.”

“I’m very proud of our team of who all work incredibly hard to ensure each child is developing whilst having lots of fun.”

There are three-judgement criteria Ofsted use when conducting Before and After School Club inspections:

• Behaviour and Attitudes

• Personal Development

• Leadership and Management

To be graded met means the quality and standards of the childcare provider has successfully passed all three judgement criteria.

Shenfield Day Nursery management would like to congratulate their whole BASC team who work very hard to provide a warm, caring and creative environment for all the children at St. Mary’s C of E Primary School who access the club. “We are delighted with this result and it is testament to the dedicated care and expertise given by our BASC staff team.”

Shenfield Day Nursery Breakfast and After School Club registered in 2015. The club is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 9am and 3pm until 6pm during term time.

click here for more details or to contact Shenfield Day Nursery, Breakfast & After School Club (St Mary's & Mountnessing C of E Primary Schools)