YOUNGSTERS at Kidzone Out of School Care are cared for in a nurturing and well planned environment, an inspection by the Care Inspectorate has found.

An unannounced inspection took place in October with inspectors grading the service as very good in terms of quality of care and support, and in quality of staffing.

Children were said to be at the centre of Kidzone, with youngsters taking part in activities that interest them, such as "taking selfies" with their friends and playing Pokémon games.

The service is run by Clackmannanshire Council and is based in Redwell Primary in Alloa.

The report read: "Kidzone Out Of School Care is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of 50 children of primary school age at each session. The service is a local authority provision managed by the team responsible for ABC Nursery.

"The aims of the project include the promotion of mutual trust, respect and confidence within a caring ethos. Staff were observed to actively promote these values within the service provided."

It added: "We found that children were cared for in a nurturing well-planned environment that met the needs of children attending the service.

"Children told us they had opportunities to take part in activities that were of interest to them, such as, taking selfies with their best friend, Pokémon activities and listening to music and lots of physical activities."

The inspection also found that staff provided "a child-led approach" in that children's interests were constantly reviewed in the programme of activities provided to them.

As a result, "children's suggestions were listened to and acted upon by staff and this greatly influenced the type of service offered to children".

However, the inspectors said that additional efforts could be made with regards to safety, and asked that the service engage with parents reduce any potential for harm.

The report concluded: "We were aware that a child walked home unaccompanied. On the day of our second visit the manager had in place an up to date risk assessment in relation to this matter.

"However, on closer inspection we asked that the risk assessment be carried out with the parents, updated and agreed by both parties. This process will help to keep the child safe from any potential harm."

In 2013, the service was given very good and good ratings for all four categories, with the quality of staffing having improved since then.

Councillor George Matchett, education spokesperson for Labour administration at Clackmannanshire Council, said: “I’m happy to see that staff are working with so much care and attention to ensure that children attending Kidzone can benefit from an enjoyable and active programme after school.

"I congratulate them on this very positive inspection report, and thank them for their commitment to ongoing improvement.”