Elmtree Play Active CLub

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and sociable. Throughout the session, there is the sound of cheerful chatting and laughter.

Children greet visitors with curiosity and talk about their experiences at the club. Staff give children a very warm welcome and explain the routine on arrival. Children acknowledge staff with a smile and a hug, demonstrating that they have formed close attachments with the caring adults.

Children behave well and feel safe and secure. Younger children automatically help and support each other, and older children offer reassurance to them during activities and games. Staff encourage children to resolve their own co...nflicts.

As a result, children play cooperatively and negotiate how to share bikes when playing in the outdoor space. Staff recognise that some children need to be outside and they facilitate this well. Children enjoy being outside in all weathers.

Children show positive attitudes to learning and are deeply engrossed in their play. The key-person system is effective. Younger children have a special adult, who liaises with parents and teachers to meet their individual needs.

The small, close-knit and experienced team helps children to become confident and settled in the club.

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

The manager and staff are extremely passionate about providing high-quality care. They reflect carefully on the quality of experiences provided by the club and plan relevant improvements, such as adapting the planning, so children's ideas are more meticulously implemented.

Children are able to choose from a range of resources. Activities complement what they do at home and school. Staff know the children and their families well.

A positive working relationship is established with the host school. Staff work with the younger children in the Reception class and regularly speak with the children's teachers. Therefore, they are very knowledgeable of the children attending each session and meet their needs very effectively.

The club continues themes and topics to complement what children learn in class and what younger children require help with.Staff set up learning opportunities to suit the broad range of ages of the children that attend. Children are confident to ask staff for additional items if they want them.

For example, children ask for more colouring pens and scissors to create topical pictures of unicorns and dinosaurs. However, at times, some resources are not plentiful. For example, some children become frustrated when there are not enough materials to complete set tasks.

Staff are very happy and feel well supported. Staff report they can share any concerns about work or their personal lives with the leadership team. They work alongside them and staff say there is great 'team work'.

Managers model good practice and share what staff can do to improve.Children develop a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. For example, they know the importance of handwashing, nose blowing and to cover their mouth when coughing to prevent cross-contamination.

Staff provide a healthy diet for children at snack and teatime. Children have opportunities to develop independence. They help themselves to their food, pour their own drinks and clear away the plates and cups after they have eaten.

Teatime is sociable and children chat to staff about the day they have had at school and what they are going to do while at the club. However, the time taken for children to receive their food and start eating takes too long and, on occasion, some children lose focus and become distracted.The area manager regularly observes staff as they interact and play with children.

She provides staff with helpful advice to support their future practice. All staff complete regular training. They are keen to keep up to date with new information and continue to build on their skills and knowledge.

Staff are reflective in their practice. They seek regular feedback from parents and children. Staff use this feedback to evaluate what is working well and what changes could be made to enhance their practice.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The club has its own secure area within the school site. Staff monitor who enters the area well.

Risks to children are minimised. Staff are careful to check who is present as children move between school and the club at collection times. They are confident of their role and responsibility to keep children safe.

Staff keep up to date with child protection training. They know the procedures for the local safeguarding partnership to report any concerns about a child in their care. Staff are familiar with the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is more vulnerable or at risk of harm.

Also at this postcode