Playtarium At Sacred Heart

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive happy and safe from their classrooms. Older children make their way over independently, whereas younger children are settled in by members of staff. Newer children are given reassurance by the sensitive and caring staff.

This helps them to become more confident while they are there. Older children are kind and considerate towards younger children. They act as positive role models and are praised by staff.

Children understand the expectations from the staff at the club and, as a result, behaviour is good. For example, children discuss the importance of being kind to one another during a daily discussion call...ed 'rule time'. Children share what they like to play with and show excitement when it is put out for them.

Activities outside are popular with most children, and the staff provide a range of resources to support them with their physical play. For example, children chase each other on bikes and scooters, while others climb and hang from apparatus. Inside, children participate in craft activities and enjoy making marks.

They are keen to tell staff about drawings they have made and enjoy the praise that they receive. Staff talk to children about their day, and children delight in telling them.

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

Children are safe and confident in the environment and ask adults for help when needed.

They smile and speak to visitors, talking about the toys that are out and asking who built them. Children are encouraged to be independent and persist when facing challenges. For example, they choose their own snack.

Children are all encouraged to butter their own toast. The staff encourage them to try before offering help to those who need it.Leaders are evaluative.

To improve practice, the manager and senior team network with other out-of-school clubs and identify ways to enhance provision. The newly appointed manager has quickly formed strong bonds with parents and children. Children tell the inspector that they really enjoy coming to the club and particularly like the staff team.

Partnership working with others is effective. Staff actively seek out information about the children who attend. They use this information to guide their planning and develop activities that enhance children's learning even further.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. The club works alongside parents, the school and family support workers to ensure that children's needs are met and that they are well supported Staff provide opportunities for children to learn about each other. For example, they experience a wide range of celebrations and staff use this as an opportunity to teach the children about different ways of life.

Play is supported with multicultural resources, and staff have open discussions with children about what makes them unique. This supports children to learn how to respect each other.Children benefit from a range of healthy snacks and lots of physical exercise in the outdoor area in all weathers.

Staff use these experiences to teach children how they can live healthier lifestyles. Staff teach children how they can keep themselves clean and about good hygiene practice to help stop the spread of germs. For example, children wash their hands before they prepare to eat their snack.

Staff work well as a team to help ensure that the club is a fun place for children to come after a busy day at school. They share ideas and contribute to plans about what they are going to do for the week. They comment that they feel very well supported by management and enjoy working at the club.

Parents comment favourably about the setting. Leaders ensure that all children are given key persons and this information is shared with parents. Parents comment that their children love attending the setting and have a lot of trust for the staff who care for their children.

There is effective communication between school, the setting and home. Staff ensure that key information is passed to parents as they collect their child at the school gates.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager has completed mandatory safeguarding and designated person training. The leadership team has a good oversight of the training that staff need to do, and ensures that staff have a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and how to respond to concerns about a child's welfare. The leadership team ensures that all staff are deemed suitable to work with children.

Staff are alert to potential risks to children in the local area, such as young children being coerced into gangs, and know how to identify this. Effective risk assessments are in place to keep children safe. For example, staff count children in and out of the cabin as they move from indoors to outdoors.

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