Brightstars @ Crimble Croft

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy at this calm and friendly club.

They settle well and show a strong sense of belonging, despite the club operating during school holidays only. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on how often the club has been able to open. Staff get to know children quickly, which helps them to feel safe.

Children have positive attitudes towards their play. While there are plentiful games and toys available inside, many children choose to spend most of their time outdoors. They relish the chance to join in with many different team games and practise a variety of skills, including their spatial awarenes...s and coordination.

Children develop their large-muscle skills while throwing beanbags into hoops and running to avoid 'being caught'. They use their own ideas during their play, such as deciding to play hide and seek with staff. Children are delighted to count how many 'pennies' they have.

Children show good manners. For example, after finishing a game outdoors, they ask their friends, 'Please can you ask how many points I have?' Children have helped to determine the rules to follow while at the club. They tell the inspector that they 'walk inside' and 'speak nicely' to other people.

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

Leaders pride themselves in providing a 'happy and stimulating environment' where they aim to 'keep children active during school holidays'. They seek the views of children and staff to help them self-evaluate on how to continually improve the club.Children follow their own interests while choosing from a good range of activities, many of which complement their learning from school.

For example, staff encourage children to count while they line cones up and jump over them. Leaders plan experiences for children which they may not have already had, such as baking and making bracelets.Children are confident individuals, who get along well with their friends.

They listen eagerly to instructions from staff and ask for further clarification if needed. Children enthusiastically and positively compete with one another to attain the highest scores during team games, showing pride in what they achieve. Children tell the inspector that their favourite activities at the club include 'colouring a picture for mummy'.

Staff interact with children well, which helps to promote children's communication, language and thinking skills. For example, they help to ignite children's curiosity about the natural world. Children ask why the trees are big and staff encourage them to think about what the trees need to grow.

Later, they help children to plant apple seeds.Care practices are good. Staff follow good hygiene practices and promote children's independence.

Children eat healthy foods and talk about how to maintain their oral hygiene, such as by brushing their teeth with toothpaste. They have many opportunities for physically active play. Staff remind children to have regular breaks for water and to catch their breath, highlighting the physical effect that exercise has on their bodies.

These practices help to promote children's good health and their understanding of healthy lifestyles.An effective programme of supervision, support and training helps staff to continue to further develop their practice. Staff comment that they have 'great bonds' with one another and 'share ideas' with the team.

They say that leaders are very supportive, for example, that they encourage and support staff to achieve external qualifications while continuing to work.Partnership working is strong. Leaders establish links with the host community centre and on-site pre-school.

This helps to support children's experiences and continuity of care. Leaders work well with external sports professionals, who say that it is a 'pleasure to be involved' with the club.Parents commend staff for being nurturing and for understanding children's individual needs.

They say that the club is 'the only place' that they would send their children during the school holidays. Leaders want to continue to strengthen parental involvement to enhance children's experiences at the club even further.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders complete risk assessments to check that the premises are safe and secure. They follow robust recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff undertake training in safeguarding, which is renewed each year, so that their knowledge is up to date.

Staff know how to help to keep children safe and protected from harm. They understand the local authority referral procedure and the actions to follow if there are concerns about children's welfare or the conduct of a colleague. Staff have a broad understanding of safeguarding issues, such as breast ironing and cuckooing.

Also at this postcode