Appleton Childcare Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are keen and excited to attend the club. They chat and joke with staff, telling them about their day in school. Children have lots of opportunities to be physically active.

They make use of the nearby playground, where they show their agility as they leap from tyre to tyre. Children work on their balance as they navigate the climbing frame and balance beams. When inside the club, they show their determination and competitive edge as they complete in relay race in the hall.

Children spontaneously cheer each other on and compliment the efforts of their friends. Arts and crafts are a particular favourite of children,... and they create incredibly accurate self-portraits, which they proudly show to staff.Children benefit from quiet spaces where they can relax with a book, concentrate on their homework, or watch an age-appropriate movie.

Older children act as excellent role models to those younger than them. They are helpful, courteous and demonstrate positive behaviours. Younger children benefit from these interactions and develop a rich vocabulary and increased confidence as a result.

Some children challenge each other to games of pool, while others use their imagination to create complex structure from blocks.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the club is providing children with even greater support in relation to their social and emotional development. Children form secure relationships with staff and demonstrate that they feel safe as they talk to trusted adults about their feelings.

They learn to be optimistic, positive and motivated.

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

Leaders have strived to provide a consistent service for families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and ensured the club remained open. They went to great lengths to provide a safe environment where children felt a sense of normality throughout this challenging period.

Staff have worked hard to ensure that children's emotional needs are well met, and their focus on being kind can be seen in practice in children's conduct with each other.Leaders give a firm focus on supporting children's health. They provide lots of sporting activities which children enjoy.

They help children learn about healthy lifestyles and provide them with a range of healthy snacks and meals. Additionally, children understand the importance of good hygiene practices. They require limited reminders to wash their hands on entry to the club, after using the toilet and before eating.

Children of all ages do this independently and explain the importance of doing so 'to get rid of germs'.Children are confident and independent, while being well mannered and polite. Older children give those younger than them hints and advice on how to improve the pictures they draw.

Children thrive from responsibilities they are given by staff, such as leading their line from the club into school each morning. Others play ball and racquet games with them. Staff complement children's learning in school by helping them learn about different families, cultures and communities through books, activities and other resources available.

This helps children to gain a better understanding of communities different to their own.Staff talk about the positive support they receive when working at the club. They explain how leaders help them develop their confidence and support them to be more skilled practitioners.

Staff receive regular supervision meetings which focus on well-being, training opportunities and how to make improvements at the club.Children say 'the staff are really kind' and that they 'love the yummy food' at the club. They talk about how there is always so much to do and that they like all the activities.

Children explain that they can give their views on the club, such as ideas for different snacks and meals, which are then implemented. This shows that leaders truly value and act on children's feedback.Parents say the club gives great support for working parents.

They say they know their children are safe at the club. Parents comment strongly on the warmth and care the staff provide to the children. They say the club offers children a 'safe, fun and stimulating environment'.

Parents praise the staff team for meeting the emotional needs of their children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.All staff at the club have expert knowledge of safeguarding.

Their extensive experience in the childcare sector has given them first-hand experience of dealing with complex and challenging safeguarding matters. They use this knowledge to ensure that they are alert to any indicators of potential abuse of children in their care. Staff work closely with the host school and share information of relevance to help keep children safe.

They know the procedures to follow in the event of a concern for a child and where to report concerns to. Staff know where to report information in the event of an allegation and what to do if leaders are not acting to safeguarding children. The club premises are secure, and leaders are rigorous in their risk assessments and collection and supervision arrangements for children.

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