Netherley Youth and Community Initiative Breakfast and Afterschool Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements The friendly, warm and welcoming staff team build positive relationships with children. They listen attentively as children share news about their day in school and are fully aware of children's differing needs and personalities.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, staff introduced the practice of daily affirmations, such as 'I can and I am'. This has helped to promote high levels of self-esteem and emotional well-being among children. Children clearly enjoy the time they spend here.

They quickly settle on arrival and immediately engage in activities. The club is a hive of activity and the room is filled with laughter and cha...tter. Children attend from several different schools and establish firm friendships with others that they would not ordinarily socialise with.

This contributes to their smooth transition to high school and helps them to learn about others in their community. Staff are positive role models for children. They speak to children in a calm and reassuring manner and help them to understand their feelings and emotions.

Children use good manners and show kindness and concerns for one another. The 'proud cloud' and 'wow wall' celebrate children's achievements and efforts. This helps children to behave extremely well and understand what is expected of them.

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

Children are truly at the heart of this club. Staff constantly seek children's views and opinions through questionnaires and special activities. For example, children have been asked to share their ideas regarding the development of a new garden area.

They have devised plans of how they would like the garden to look and have offered suggestions of further activities and resources. This helps children to feel highly valued and ensures they have a voice.A successful key-person system for children of all ages, ensures that children settle quickly and their needs are met.

Furthermore, new children are partnered with a 'buddy' to help them to adapt to club life. This contributes to children's sense of responsibility and helps to teach them about being kind, helpful and respectful of others.Staff provide children with many opportunities to be creative.

For example, children create mud pictures, autumn crowns and make their own putty using flour and yogurt. Staff talk to them about what they are doing and are careful not to over direct. Children are able to use their imaginative skills, test their ideas and problem solve.

They work collaboratively together as they share the resources and take turns.Staff encourage children to develop a strong awareness of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Children show impressive self-care and independence skills as they wash their hands before sitting down at the table to eat.

Children confidently serve themselves a variety of healthy meals and tidy away when they have finished. Staff ensure there is always fresh fruit and water available that children can help themselves to throughout the session. Mealtimes are a happy and sociable occasion.

Staff have devised effective strategies for communicating with teaching staff from schools that children attend. For example, a communication book between school and club ensures that important information about children, their development and well-being is shared. This helps to ensure that children's unique needs are met consistently.

Staff speak positively about their role and the support they receive from leaders. They benefit from observations of their practice, supervision meetings and a comprehensive programme of professional development. This has a positive impact on the quality of care that children receive.

Parents are extremely complimentary about the club and the dedicated staff team. They fondly describe how much their children enjoy attending and comment on the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. Parents feel reassured leaving their children at the club, knowing that they are safe, happy and well cared for.

Parents feel well informed about all aspects of the club, including the range of activities provided for their children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a good understanding of their role in protecting children from harm and attend regular training to ensure their knowledge remains up to date.

They confidently describe how they would report any concerns about a child's welfare or the practice of a colleague. Leaders make timely referrals to ensure children and their families swiftly receive the support they need. However, on one occasion, the manager failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event.

That said, children were effectively safeguarded because of the swift action taken to report to the relevant agencies. Staff supervise children well and deploy themselves effectively. Detailed risk assessments are completed to ensure that children are able to play in a safe and secure environment.