Bredhurst After School Club

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. They cheerfully greet the staff who collect them from school. The children know the procedures they need to follow to prepare for the walk to the club.

For instance, they place their belongings in the trolley before putting on a high-visibility vest. All children know they need to wear a vest whenever they are walking to the club or outside playing. This helps staff quickly identify the after-school club children as they play in the park.

Children listen to and follow instructions as they line up ready for the walk from school to the village hall. The staff teach t...he children about road safety. For instance, the older children make sure everyone is quiet, so that they can listen and look for cars before they cross the road.

All children know that they are not to cross the road until the manager says it is safe to cross. Staff have a clear focus on children's safety and well-being.Children make informed choices in their play.

For instance, they choose whether they wish to go outside or inside to play. Investigating the outside area and playing in the fresh air is a firm favourite with all the children. They help to carry out any resources and activities they wish to play with.

Staff provide children with an array of experiences to help them develop their physical skills. The children are eager to join in activities as they interact with friends and siblings at the club. For instance, they race each other to the end of the field and play football.

The children enjoy playing independently as well as in groups as they develop their social skills.

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

The manager is passionate about her role. She is an active member of the community and offers inclusive after-school care for children attending the local school.

The manager and staff regularly review the provision. They have addressed recommendations from the local authority to help them improve their practice. For instance, they have completed extra safeguarding training and are looking to attend other relevant training opportunities.

The manager and staff have formed positive partnerships with parents. They routinely inform parents about their children's achievements. For instance, they pass messages on from school staff and talk to parents about how their child has been at the club.

Parents feel very well supported and informed. All parents and carers spoken to were very complimentary about the support and flexibility they receive from the manager.The safety of the children is paramount to the manager and staff.

They carry out thorough risk assessments. Staff are effectively deployed to ensure children's safety and well-being. They encouraged children to take managed risks in their play.

For instance, they use large play equipment to climb and balance on.Children develop their muscle strength and coordination as they play.The children are enthusiastic and show good relationships with the staff.

Young children have a designated key person, who knows them well. They ensure that they are fully included in all activities they wish to take part in and monitor their well-being. For instance, they make sure they have their favourite toys outside to play with.

Children's behaviour is good. They are caring and kind to their friends. For instance, older children help to find building blocks for the younger children, so that they can build the tallest tower.

Children have good manners and say please and thank you without staff needing to remind them. They know the rules of the club and the staff reiterate them when necessary. For example, they know to use the gate and not to jump the fence when going into the swing park.

Staff provide children with a range of healthy snacks while they are at the club. They make sure children always have access to water and remind them to have a drink. Children make sure to use hand sanitiser to clean their hands before they have their snacks.

They are independent and skilfully cut up their own fruit. Staff talk to the children about how to use the knife safely. They make effective use of routines to talk to the children about the importance of sitting down to eat.

Staff explain why grapes are a choking hazard to help children understand the importance of cutting them lengthways. Staff are vigilant at mealtimes and are aware of any special dietary requirements and food allergies to maintain children's safety.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager has a secure knowledge of child protection and understands how to keep children safe. She recognises the signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow if they were concerned about a child in their care. The manager and deputy have both completed designated safeguarding lead training.

They are aware of the importance of being alert to extreme beliefs and views, such as radicalisation. The manager has robust recruitment procedures in place to ensure all staff working with children are suitable to do so. The manager and staff are vigilant and constantly supervise children to maintain their safety.