Beanstalks@Woodheys School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements The club provides a calm sanctuary for children to socialise at the end of a busy school day. Staff welcome the children to the club, checking that every child is accounted for.

Children select their own activities, which supports their developing independence. There are a wide range of interesting and appealing things to do. Boys act out stories of their own invention using action figures in the fairy princess castle.

Some children construct models from blocks, while others challenge each other to a game of pool. Children can complete homework or play educational games using the host school's computers. This is well super...vised by staff to ensure that children are safe online.

Children of all ages play harmoniously together and are polite to each other. Staff support children's behaviour in a manner consistent with the host school, meaning that children have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. Staff know the children well and provide them with thoughtfully planned opportunities they might not otherwise experience.

There are always activities on offer to keep children active. For example, they take part in activities with a sports coach and enjoy exciting parachute games, all of which contribute to children learning about healthy lifestyles.

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

The club works in close partnership with the host school to best meet the needs of children.

Certain activities are planned specifically to complement children's current learning requirements. This typically focuses on supporting children's emotional development and their ability to do things for themselves. Staff help to build children's confidence so they enjoy playing in larger groups or are able to independently go to the toilet and wash their own hands.

Staff plan activities which excite the senses of touch and smell. For example, children create reindeer faces using chocolate-scented dough. They talk about how they really enjoyed this activity as it 'smelled so good'.

Children take part in baking activities. Staff consider children's dietary needs by creating a recipe that all children can safely enjoy. Children have the chance to apply their mathematical skills by weighing out ingredients.

However, at times, they have limited opportunities to further extend their own thinking. Children are not consistently given chance to test out, through trial and error, their own ideas and form their own conclusions.Staff plan activities which help children to develop skills needed for early writing through fun and play.

Children show high levels of concentration while using pipettes to fill small containers with water. In other activities, the well-resourced craft area allows children to practise their cutting skills with scissors, and complete quite intricate colouring.Leaders truly understand the needs of the children and their families who attend the club.

They know precisely what is required to help children flourish, be that helping children make new friends, increasing their confidence in social situations, or simply developing resilience to adversity. Staff consciously consider the unique needs of each child. This ensures that staff hold at the forefront of their thoughts that a person is a person, no matter how small.

Relationships between the staff and parents are a real strength. Parents' views and ideas are sought on how to make the club even better. Parents are complimentary about the difference the club has made to their children.

They comment on how well their children have settled in and how their confidence has soared.Staff make sure that children are provided with plenty of healthy food every day. Menus have been designed in conjunction with a nutritionist.

The staff have worked closely with the local authority and have recently achieved a healthy setting award. Staff are appropriately trained in food preparation and ensure that children's dietary requirements are met.Leaders meet regularly with the staff team to support each member's individual well-being and discuss professional development, and to ensure that the needs of individual children are being met.

This means that leaders have an accurate oversight of the quality of the club. Staff talk positively about the support they receive from leaders and the consideration given to their home life situations.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff maintain their safeguarding training to ensure they have an up-to-date understanding of this area. They are able to confidently and accurately describe categories and indicators of abuse. They have a good knowledge of what to do if they are worried about a child, and where to report concerns to.

The club works in collaboration with the school to ensure that relevant information about children is shared, to further safeguard them. Staff are confident in their responsibilities in relation to whistleblowing, should they be concerned leaders are not dealing with a matter correctly. Training on wider safeguarding matters, such as female genital mutilation and radicalisation, means that staff are also equipped with the knowledge of what to be alert to, and what action to take should concerns arise.

Also at this postcode