Three Acres Community Play Project

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children thoroughly enjoy spending time at this setting. They excitedly join their friends for a snack and a chat when they arrive, talking about what they have been doing at school. Routines are well established and understood by all children.

For example, children know they must wash their hands before eating, where to put their belongings and when they can go outside. Children's behaviour is very good. They follow the rules and listen carefully to instructions from adults.

Children know how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, when using the large climbing equipment outside, they take turns to ensure that no... one gets hurt.Staff focus on children's personal, social and emotional development.

Children play together in mixed-age groups. This encourages the older children to look after the younger ones. They support them when playing outside, showing real care and consideration.

Staff design activities to meet all children's needs at the end of a full day at school. Children can use their energy in the outside space, be creative at the art tables or sit and read a book on the comfy settees in the quiet area. These varied activities positively support children's emotional well-being.

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

Managers understand the importance of providing quality care for children and their families. They regularly evaluate the setting, reflecting on the feedback which they receive from staff, parents and children. Staff are experienced, with many of them also working at local schools.

This gives them a very good understanding of the local community, informing their work at the setting.Managers regularly monitor the quality of care that staff provide. They provide helpful feedback and organise training to improve staff's practice.

Staff have regular safeguarding and health and safety training to ensure that their knowledge and skills are up to date. Checking staff understanding in these key areas more regularly would further strengthen practice.Staff know children very well.

They form strong, nurturing relationships with them. This helps children to feel safe and secure in their care. New children are supported by the settling-in process, which is flexible and takes account of children's emotional needs.

Managers build good relationships with other agencies involved in children's care. They make sure that they are always updated with any changes to children's circumstances. This helps staff to provide more targeted support when required.

Staff place a strong emphasis on children's physical development. The outside space has a wide range of large climbing equipment and a football pitch. Children enjoy climbing rope ladders, swinging from bars and pushing themselves down the slide.

They play football with their friends, developing their ball skills while learning how to play together as a team.Children enjoy the wide range of creative activities which staff plan for them. They concentrate well when drawing and making models to sell at the upcoming Christmas fair.

Staff support children's creativity by giving them useful advice and demonstrating different techniques, which children then apply to their own work.Staff's relationships with teachers at local schools are strong. They communicate regularly with them when picking up children, sharing relevant information and passing on messages to parents for them.

Staff ask for advice on how best to support specific children's needs. This helps to provide continuity of care across the settings and benefits children's overall development.Parents share very positive views about the setting, praising the care and attention which their children receive.

They feel that they are well informed about what their children have been doing and know that any issues will be dealt with appropriately.Children talk about how much they enjoy the setting. They highlight playing outside in the garden with their friends as one of their favourite activities.

Children also enjoy observing and looking after the setting's pets. All children are confident and independent. They are able to manage their own time, making best use of the rich learning experiences on offer.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Managers and staff know and understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. They complete training to help them to recognise the signs that a child may be at risk and understand the actions they should take if they have any concerns.

Staff have an awareness of a range of safeguarding issues, including how children and their families may become exposed to extreme or radical views. All staff are subject to appropriate checks to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. They complete daily risk assessments to make sure that the premises and resources are always safe for children to use.

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