Out of this World Kids Club

A pirate ship made from discarded materials and a sensory room with a bubble tube give this setting’s October 2022 picture its character: experimentation alongside space to pause. Out of this World Kids Club has capacity for 24 children at The Joseph Lappin Centre, Mill Lane, Liverpool L13 5TF.

At its 12 October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), progressed securely from their starting points. Children attending then ranged from birth to 11 years, spanning early years and care for older children.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care, connecting play with growing communication, understanding and practical skills. In October 2022, children investigated whether their homemade pirate ship would stay afloat, with staff encouraging them to work out how to test their ideas. This gave questions a practical purpose.

Sign language accompanied songs and colour naming that month. Building activities introduced mathematical ideas, while cutting fruit prompted discussion of halves. Children could choose between playing inside and outside, giving them a say in their day.

Stories about same-gender parents and small-world figures representing people with disabilities supported conversations about different families and lives. These were concrete starting points for understanding others.

In October 2022, voice boxes played reassuring messages recorded by parents in children’s home languages. For children learning English, this connected familiar voices with the setting’s daily life.

Key people used their knowledge of children’s behaviour to offer time in the sensory room. Its light box and bubble tube provided a setting for talking about feelings and practising attention. Staff also arranged professional input and tailored activities for children with SEND.

Sleep procedures and close attention to sleeping babies formed part of care that month. Staff development included observing colleagues and discussing practice together. Work with local teachers connected education and care for some children with preparation for school.

The address is The Joseph Lappin Centre, Mill Lane, Liverpool L13 5TF.

In October 2022, the setting operated Monday to Friday across 51 weeks, with sessions running from 8am to 3pm. Term-time out-of-school care ran from 3pm to 6pm; the holiday club operated from 8am to 6pm during school holidays. Funded early education was provided for two- and three-year-olds at that time.

• Independence at mealtimes. The October 2022 improvement priority was to give children more opportunities to do things themselves, including using appropriate cutlery. Everyday routines therefore deserve attention alongside the more imaginative activities.
• Attendance across ages. The October 2022 arrangements combined early years sessions, term-time out-of-school care and a holiday club. Which current attendance pattern and age group would apply to your child?

The October 2022 picture suits families who value practical investigation, communication through signs and sensitive responses to children’s emotions. Its attendance arrangements then served both daytime early years care and after-school care, with a holiday club extending the mix. The sensory resources and home-language voice boxes are memorable strengths of that dated account; developing independence was the clear improvement priority.