MASK (Mossley After School Club) Ltd.

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children's laughter fills the air of this vibrant setting. They giggle with delight as they enter and are eager to tell staff about their day at school.

Children have a strong sense of belonging and have high levels of self-esteem. They talk to each other about their feelings and discuss what it means to be a good friend. Children know what is expected of them and follow the rules of the setting.

They behave well and show positive attitudes towards their play. Children were excited to showcase their football skills to the inspector. Children enjoy spending most of their time playing outdoors.

They play ring games ...and basketball. Children cheer their friends on while doing relay races and show good climbing skills. They learn how to balance on apparatus and remind each other how to play games safely.

Children gain good levels of independence. They take care of their personal belongings, tidy toys away and tend to their physical needs. Children develop the necessary skills to support them in their next steps in play.

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

The manager exhibits strong leadership skills. She wants every child to flourish through play. Her motto of 'children deserve the best' runs throughout this high-quality setting.

Self-evaluation is accurate and includes the views of parents, staff and children. The manager's capacity to bring about change and drive forward improvement is good.Leaders provide children with a fun and exciting play programme.

Activities are linked to children's interests and complement their learning from school. Children relish the abundance of play experiences on offer. They enjoy building dens and are fascinated while painting porcelain plates.

Children immerse themselves into imaginary play and enact the roles of superheroes.Leaders give staff well-being high priority. They ensure that staff workload is manageable.

Staff report that the manager is fantastic and that the staff team are like family. Staff receive the relevant support and coaching during supervision sessions and appraisal meetings. They attend mandatory training, such as safeguarding.

Leaders identify that they would like to provide staff with more opportunities to access wider training programmes, to help raise staff practice to a higher level.Partnership working is strong. Links with local primary schools and other settings are secure.

Parents receive updates about their children's time at the setting. They report that the setting is a 'safe haven' for their children. Links with the local community are good.

Children enjoy visits from the local councillor and talk about what is important in the place that they live.Care practices are effective. Staff provide children with a secure settling-in process.

They give their emotional well-being high priority. This means that children settle quickly and form secure attachments with staff and other children.Staff teach children exceptionally well about the world around them.

They teach children that it is okay to look and be different. Children confidently discuss the differences in dolls, such as physical appearance, hair and eye colour. Children gain a broad awareness of differences and similarities beyond their own experiences.

This prepares children well for life in modern Britain.Staff support children's love for reading very well. They sit with children and share stories with them.

Children relish these opportunities and show good decoding and blending skills. They learn that print carries meaning.Staff support children to gain a good understanding of keeping healthy.

They invite health ambassadors into the setting to talk about oral health and about healthy eating. Children enjoy learning about the importance of visiting the dentist and taking regular exercise. They talk to each other about brushing their teeth and how playing football keeps them fit.

Children gain a good understanding of what it means to live a healthy lifestyle.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The premises are safe and suitable for childcare.

Risk assessments are effective and staff teach children about keeping themselves safe. For example, children learn about online safety. Staff attend child protection training and keep up to date with changes in policy.

The manager ensures that staff understand safeguarding issues, such as female genital mutilation and cuckooing. Staff are aware of the referral procedure and know the steps to take if they are concerned with the conduct of a colleague. Effective systems are in place to check the identification of visitors and to prevent unauthorised people gaining entry to the setting.