NOT all children at an after-school club in the Bradford district clean their hands before eating and they also roll on the floor when having their snack, which risks infection.

Willows @ Carr Green was visited by Ofsted on March 8 for the first time since it registered in 2019.

The club is linked with Carr Green Primary School in Brighouse and caters for children aged three to 11, running Monday to Friday between 3.30pm and 6pm during term time.

It had 30 places at the time of inspection, with 56 children on the roll and five members of staff – three of which hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3.

The education watchdog concluded that the out-of-school care provider did not meet the quality and standards of early years provision.

It was set five targets to meet by March 31.

Ofsted found children’s health is not supported at the after-school club due to the cleaning routines before children eat.

The report states: “For example, children eat where they play and do not have a designated dining table which is cleaned before use.

“Not all children clean their hands before they eat.

“Children roll around on the floor while eating their snack.

“This increases the risk of infection and does not support children's good health.”

But staff provide children with meals they enjoy, and they are encouraged to gain independence by pouring their own water and clearing their own plates away.

The environment, resources and equipment were clean when Ofsted visited, and the staff have prioritised cleanliness and hygiene routines at the club since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The inspector – Julie Dent – found that leadership and management at the club are weak.

Staff supervision sessions and performance monitoring systems are not used effectively by managers.

The report states: “This means that weaknesses in practice are not identified and actioned swiftly.

“They do not identify targets for personal improvement to ensure staff understand how best to support the children they care for.”

Children arrive happily at the club and parents are positive about it, overall.

The report states: “They report that staff are friendly and approachable, and that their children enjoy attending.

“Children comment that they like the environment and enjoy the creative activities on offer and playing outside with their friends.”

The club’s arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The T&A contacted Willows @ Carr Green for comment, but the after-school club declined to respond.