Elm Street Kidz Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children happily greet staff when they are collected from their classrooms and follow instructions well.

The relationships between staff and children are warm and positive. Staff set clear expectations for children's behaviour and support their behaviour well. Children willingly share resources and encourage others to play with them.

For example, older children invite younger children to play a game in the soft-play area. They hide in the ball pool and race up and down the slide. There is lots of laughter in the club.

Children are keen to tell visitors about the time they spend at the club. They talk enthusiastica...lly about the activities they enjoy, and the great time they have playing with their school friends.Staff plan activities with children's interests in mind.

They also offer activities which are linked with the school and community events, such as drawing their favourite pets as part of a competition. Children are familiar with the routines and expectations in the club. They confidently choose where they want to play.

Children show high levels of focus and concentration at the activities on offer. They share ideas and solve problems. For example, when children make buildings using small bricks, they discuss how to make them stable.

Staff praise children for their excellent problem-solving skills.

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

Children display extremely good manners. They are aware of the behaviours expected of them and the club's rules.

Children comment if their peers are not behaving as they should and remind them of the agreed rules. Staff ensure that any newer children are familiar with the rules, such as sitting safely on chairs.Children know they can talk to staff about any worries they have.

They know staff act as trusted adults and that they can talk to them if anything is upsetting them. Children use images in books to describe how they are feeling and feel safe in the setting.Staff promote children's independence well.

They encourage children to hang up their coats and put away their school bags. Children independently pour their own water. They help to tidy the activities away as the club nears the end and are helpful to staff.

Children gain an important knowledge of fiction and non-fiction books. Staff encourage children to share what they know about Arctic animals and their habits. Children build on what they already know.

Partnerships with the local schools are highly effective. Staff communicate regularly with teachers at the school. They establish positive partnerships with them and share a range of information.

For instance, school staff and staff in the club use a communication book for younger children to pass on key messages.The after-school club is well organised. The management team has experience of working with children and their families.

The manager and her deputy lead their staff team with confidence, guided by their robust policies and procedures. They also place a high emphasis on staff's mental health and well-being. Staff report that they feel incredibly well supported.

They share the responsibilities to ensure that the session runs smoothly.Overall, staff support children's understanding of health and hygiene effectively. For instance, they gather information about children's dietary and medical needs when they register to join the setting.

Children select from healthy choices at teatime and help themselves to drinking water. However, at times, there is room to improve some hygiene practices, as some children do not wash their hands before eating.The manager and staff understand the importance of establishing good partnerships with parents.

Parents praise the care offered by the manager and staff at the after-school club. They comment that their children often do not want to leave at the end of the session. Parents value the excellent communication and the community feel in the club.

The manager, committee and staff regularly evaluate the care they provide. They seek regular feedback from parents, children and local authority advisers. Staff use this information to make well-considered changes to the resources and activities they provide.

This ensures that the club continues to meet the changing needs and interests of all children.

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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