Parents say the hardest part is getting their kids to leave
Image of children playing at a nursery setting(Image: Shared Content Unit)
A Bristol afterschool club where “children arrive happy and eager to play with their friends” has been praised by Ofsted for providing a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment where children thrive.
Bishop Road Afterschool Club (brac), based at The Paul Dirac Centre on Beauchamp Road, was found to have met all early years provision standards during an inspection carried out on Wednesday, February 12.
The club, which caters for up to 80 children at a time and has 381 on roll aged between four and eleven, was also commended for its well-supported staff, positive safeguarding culture and strong relationships with local schools.
“Children arrive happy and eager to play with their friends. Staff are friendly and welcoming, and children form good, secure relationships with staff and their peers,” inspectors wrote.
“Staff provide children with a relaxed environment and a good range of interesting activities to spark their interests and imaginations.”
The club, which has been trading since 2004, runs weekday sessions during term time and offers a holiday playscheme as well as cover on in-service training days. It is staffed by a team of 21, including a qualified early years teacher and two staff with early years qualifications at level 2 or 3.
Staff were found to have created a setting where “children can choose what they would like to do,” from reading quietly and doing homework, to imaginative play such as building monster models from recycled materials.
“Children take pride in their achievements and like to show staff and parents their creations,” the report noted.
Inspectors praised the setting’s clear structure and consistent routines. “Staff set clear and consistent routines and expectations with children that are embedded well. As a result, children are confident, secure and behave well. They are kind and respectful of the staff and of their peers.”
Parents shared their delight with the provision, telling the inspector that their children are always happy to attend.
“The only problem they have is getting their children to leave to go home,” one parent said. Another described staff and leaders as going “above and beyond to support their families”.
The report highlighted strong safeguarding procedures, noting that “there is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children’s interests first”.
Children’s health was also a clear priority. “Staff help to promote children having healthy lifestyles,” inspectors wrote.
“Staff frequently remind children to wash their hands, especially before eating. Children have a healthy snack and enjoy helping themselves to fruit. Children have lots of opportunities to have fresh air and exercise and they thoroughly enjoy playing outside.”
Staff also encouraged physical activity through organised games like football or simple outdoor play.
Staff knowledge of individual children was another strength. “Staff know the children well. They use their knowledge of the children and their interests to engage with them and build on their experiences,” the report found.
Inspectors observed staff encouraging creativity through craft sessions where children made tortoise shells from paper, with staff supporting them to add heads and arms and helping them build imaginative homes for their creations.
Eleanor Cason from the club said: “We are thrilled to receive such a glowing report from Ofsted. It’s a wonderful feeling when an outside observer is able to see all the things we have been striving to accomplish and appreciate the culture that we have worked so hard to cultivate.
“We will continue to put the children’s needs and interests at the heart of everything we do, ensuring we provide quality wrap-around childcare for all.”