AN out-of-school club has been praised by an inspector, months after new management took over.
Progressive Kids runs the club at Mangotsfield C of E Primary School in Emersons Green, having taken over from the highly-regarded Mangotsfield Out Of School Club, or MOOSC, which closed last year.
Ofsted visited the club, which has 223 children aged four to 11 on its roll, and caters for up to 90 per session, in April.
In her report, inspector Ruth Glover said the club met all of the regulator’s requirements.
She said: “Children enjoy their time at this well-organised, busy but friendly out-of-school provision.
“Staff have high expectations for children’s behaviour and children follow staff’s instructions and behave well.”
The inspector said the club’s staff “listen, respond and engage children well,” intervening in any minor disputes, and sit and play alongside the children, “engaging them and valuing their conversation”.
The report said children were happy, safe and relaxed at the club.
The inspector said: “Leaders and managers evaluate the provision well. They listen to staff and provide coaching support, which encourages staff to self-evaluate and improve their knowledge and skills.”
The inspector said staff set up four areas in the school hall to provide a variety of activities at once, including an “active zone” for ball games and a “creative area” for art work.
She said children “form positive relationships with staff”, who keep their play within safe boundaries and help them deal with any sad or anxious feelings.
The report said: “Staff take children’s individual needs into account and act to ensure they feel safe and secure.”
This included helping children who become overwhelmed by noise, helping quieter children interact with others and working with the school’s special educational needs coordinator.
Parents said their children enjoy their time at the club, the inspector said, adding: “They feel that communication is good and leaders are in the process of reviewing how to strengthen their partnerships with parents even further.”
Progressive Kids sales director Mitchell Quirke said: “Reflecting on the report, I’m immensely proud to see how it mirrors the ethos of Progressive Kids.
“Our approach is centred on celebrating each child’s uniqueness, fostering a safe, active, and joyful environment.
“Our free-flow zoned approach encourages exploration, enabling children to engage in a variety of enriching activities.
“Since taking over from MOOSC, we’ve prioritised strong communication and support for parents, a sentiment echoed in the inspector’s remarks. It’s heartening to witness the positive impact of these efforts first-hand.
“This report is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care and opportunities for all children.”