Ashfield Play Care Scheme

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children finish school excited about the time they are about to spend at the play care scheme.

They are collected each day by a consistent member of staff, so they know who to look out for when they leave their classrooms. Children learn how to keep safe while walking in their local community. They happily wear the high-visibility jackets provided by staff, so that they are easily identifiable.

Children know that they must press the button and wait for the green man before they cross the road. Staff are teaching children the life skills that they need to navigate the world around them. Children know what is expected of the...m.

They are familiar with the daily routine. Staff have created a well-organised environment. Each child is provided with a peg for their coat and bag.

This helps children learn how to look after their belongings. Children independently wash their hands as they enter the play care scheme building. They do this without prompt.

Older children help their younger peers. Staff have included this as part of the children's routine in preparation for snack time, to promote children's hygiene and good health.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

The management team have made sure the actions set at the last inspection have been met and improvements have been sustained.

The nominated individual ensures Ofsted is informed of changes to the committee. All staff and committee members have their suitability confirmed through robust vetting procedures.Those responsible for the running of the playscheme have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

The chair of the committee and the manager meet regularly to discuss the organisation of the provision. They work together to drive improvements. The manager makes sure staff fulfil their roles and responsibilities.

She quickly reminds staff of policies and procedures when needed.The manager subscribes to newsletters, so that she can keep up to date with developments in the sector, including those related to child protection and safeguarding. At the time of the inspection, the manager was not familiar with updates to the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage.

However, this was rectified before the inspection ended.Staff know children well. They provide a range of activities and resources that they know children enjoy.

Staff offer children a combination of adult-led creative activities, alongside the provision of age-appropriate toys and games. Children develop their problem-solving skills while creating models out of cardboard boxes and tubes. With help from staff, children work out how to connect their boxes and tubes together.

Staff provide opportunities for children to persevere, build resilience and find solutions.Staff understand the risks children could be exposed to when using the internet. They help children learn how to keep safe online, for instance not to talk to people they do not know.

Staff help children understand about appropriate screen time. They set a timer, so children take turns and do not spend too much time on the computer. Staff encourage children to access all aspects of the provision, not just the computer or television.

These considerations support children's healthy development in the modern world.Staff provide children with a variety of healthy food options, and access to fresh drinking water. Children benefit from daily outdoor exercise.

During term time, they walk with staff from their school to the play care scheme building. Children have access to an outdoor play area, where they enjoy team sports and practise their physical skills.Staff engage in continued professional development and training.

This keeps their knowledge and skills up to date. Recently, some staff have completed training on children's mental health. They are using strategies they have learned to successfully support children's emotional well-being.

The play care scheme caters for children from several local primary schools. This means that children can meet and develop new friendships with others from the wider community. Staff use a buddy system when new children start.

This gives existing children a sense of responsibility and helps new children to settle quickly.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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