Acorn OSC Davenham

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff create a fun and exciting play environment for children. Staff use their knowledge of playwork to plan a well-sequenced play programme. Children's laughter and eagerness to explore fills the air of this vibrant club.

Staff are good role models and they teach children about manners, respect and acceptance. Children know what staff expect of them. They behave well and show care towards their friends.

Staff support children's emotional well-being effectively. They have a secure settling-in process and talk to children about their emotions. Children feel safe and happy.

They have a strong sense of belonging and ...develop good levels of independence. Children gain good skills in readiness for their next stages in play.Staff support children's individuality and creativity incredibly well.

They talk to children about what makes them unique. Children talk with confidence about the difference in hair, eye and skin colour. They become enthralled while singing and teach one another dance moves.

Children enjoy painting and show each other pictures of footballers that they have drawn. Staff support children's large-muscle skills well. They play ring games with children and encourage them to play football.

Children relish these opportunities and show good levels of physical dexterity.

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

The manager leads the club with passion and determination. She is an advocate of playwork and wants children to flourish in a home-from-home environment.

Self-evaluation is accurate and includes the views of staff, parents and children.Staff provide a play programme that is built around research and what they know about children. They work closely with teachers to complement learning from school.

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this vibrant club and are immersed in play. They are fascinated while enacting roles of astronauts and giggle with delight while 'travelling to a 'magical planet'.Care practices are excellent.

Staff teach children about good hygiene practices. Children talk about the importance of oral health and why they need to wash their hands before they eat. They talk about the variety of healthy foods provided by staff and discuss the impact that sugary foods can have towards their health.

Children develop a good understanding about living a healthy lifestyle.Staff support children's imaginative play incredibly well. Children relish playing with dolls.

Staff ask children questions during their play to extend their imaginations further. Children enjoy these moments and tell staff that the dolls have 'magical powers'. They share dolls and cradle them in their arms.

Children show excellent communication skills and listen to their friends with interest.Children thoroughly enjoy designing and creating things. They work together to draw aeroplanes and use paper to build models of aircraft.

Children praise each other for their achievements and are keen to show staff their finished models. They talk about the different mechanical parts of aircraft and discuss how aeroplanes fly. Children develop a good awareness of teamwork.

Staff attend supervision sessions and appraisal meetings. They access a variety of training programmes and share best practice with each other. Staff report that working at the club is amazing and that staff morale is high.

Leaders value staff and give their well-being high priority. They ensure that their workload is manageable and that they have time to complete duties before the children arrive.Partnership working is good.

Staff work exceptionally well with the local primary school. The headteacher commends staff for always doing the right thing for the children. Links with parents are built on trust and respect.

Parents speak highly of the club and said that their children love to attend the club.Staff teach children well about the world that they live in. They help children to learn about others who are less fortunate than themselves.

Children take part in fundraising events and talk about their local community with pride. Staff ensure that children have a broad understanding of different people and communities. Children confidently talk about festivals and traditions.

They enjoy taking part in Christmas productions and learn about other celebrations. This helps children to gain a firm understanding of what it is like to live in modern Britain.The support in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is good.

Staff ensure that intervention plans are shared with other professionals and that they are monitored with precision. Children with SEND get the support that they need and flourish at this high-quality club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Robust recruitment and vetting procedures are in place. Staff undergo checks to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. Leaders ensure that staff are trained in safeguarding.

Highly effective procedures for the safe use of mobile phones and cameras are in place. Staff know how to keep children safe and protected from harm. They are aware of the referral procedure and understand the possible indicators of abuse and neglect.

Staff are first-aid trained and know how to deal with accidents. Risk assessments are effective. The club is safe and suitable for childcare.