Aces Fallings Park

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy attending this welcoming after-school club. As they arrive, staff greet them warmly and they quickly settle into the familiar routine.

They begin by sitting on the carpet and the manager plays an interactive movement game with them. All children, including the youngest, happily participate. The atmosphere is friendly and playful.

Staff provide a range of quality activities and the children make choices about what they want to play with. The younger children delight in rolling, cutting and squeezing play dough. They confidently chat with adults about what they have made.

When children are collected a...t the end of the session, they proudly show their parents their art creations. Children benefit from a healthy snack, plenty of water and lots of outdoor play. Outside, the older children enjoy playing football with their friends.

Younger children draw pictures and practise writing their names with chalk on the ground. Children receive house points in celebration of their achievements, in line with the school procedures. Children show they understand the good behaviour that is expected of them.

All children at the setting interact calmly and politely with each other. Behaviour is impeccable.

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

The two managers are experienced and highly qualified.

They work together to produce policies and procedures, which are well understood by the staff team. Managers ensure that parents follow the club's procedures. For example, passwords are needed whenever children are collected.

This helps the provision to run smoothly and contributes to keeping children safe.The indoor space is clean and well ventilated, with lots of natural light. Staff have organised the space well.

Although there is a range of furniture, there is enough space for the children to move around freely. Children are relaxed and happy; they say they enjoy coming here and playing with their friends. All children, even the very youngest, display high levels of involvement.

The management team value ongoing professional development and all staff regularly attend training. Most recently, in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, they have attended training to support children's emotional well-being. Staff notice when children appear unhappy or unsettled and they take time to reassure them.

Staff are kind and caring and display professional attitudes.Managers and staff regularly review the provision and then make plans for future improvements. They are ambitious in their plans, for example, they would like to provide a holiday playscheme for the benefit of local families.

Recently however, due to the COVID pandemic, they have not involved parents or children in these plans. They have not considered other methods to continue to engage parents and children, so that they are more fully involved.Staff know the children well.

They make efforts to find out what children are learning in school and they support this learning in the provision. For example, young children are practising their fine motor control in school, and at the provision they enjoy cutting and sticking, and drawing with chalk. This is helping them to improve their skills.

Staff communicate well with school staff and with parents. Staff routinely inform parents about their children's achievements. They talk to parents about things that happen during the school day as well as at the after-school club.

Parents feel very well supported and well informed. Parents describe staff as 'friendly, approachable' and 'helpful'. They describe the provision as 'brilliant'.

Children look forward to outdoor play. They can choose to play outside for extended periods of time. The outdoor space is safe and staff supervise the children well.

Children kick balls, hit balls with hockey sticks, and balance on children's stilts. Staff and children enjoy playing together. There is a good amount of space for children to run around, exercise their bodies and improve their physical skills.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff and managers have a good understanding of safeguarding. They understand the signs and symptoms of abuse, including the 'Prevent' duty, and they know how to report any concerns.

All staff hold paediatric first-aid and safeguarding certificates. They are confident to respond if a child needs help. Staff are vigilant in cleaning routines.

Staff carry out daily checks to make sure that children are safe. They supervise children well. Recruitment and selection processes are robust; the manager takes steps to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children.

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