Cambridge Kids Club @ Wacky

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are warmly welcomed by the friendly staff who escort them from their classrooms. They choose from the wide range of inviting activities and engage well. Children become absorbed in their creative play and talk excitedly about the models they build, creating trains and train stations from construction toys.

They use their imaginations to invent tea parties where they willingly listen to each other's ideas, making suggestions as they play. Children's behaviour is good. They know when to choose to rest with a book on the cosy sofas or to relax and share a computer game with a friend.

Children enjoy spending time with... the staff. They engage in conversations about the flower wreaths they make from craft materials. Outside, children enjoy ball games as they practise catching and throwing with staff who they invite to play with them.

Children make excellent use of the large school field and play equipment available, which challenge their physical skills. Staff encourage children to develop healthy lifestyles. Without prompting from staff, children wash their hands before snack.

They select from a healthy range of food available. Children enjoy responsibility as they help to gather ideas from their peers for future snack menus, which they record on clipboards.

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

Managers and leaders are passionate about providing positive experiences for children.

They value the importance of play, which is described as 'fundamental to the healthy development and well-being of individuals and communities'. They recognise the importance of experienced staff who facilitate an inviting play environment.There is an effective key-person system.

During settling-in times, staff get to know children and their families as they spend time together. Staff use these opportunities to discover children's interests which they use to plan activities and games. This helps children to feel welcome and safe.

Staff engage and interact well with children. They spend large amounts of their time taking part in activities and playing games with children. Children are regularly praised by staff and feel proud of their achievements.

They are involved in planning activities. Staff ask for children's views on what they would like to do during the day. This helps to make sure that the activities are tailored to the interests of the children who attend.

Children love their outdoor play. The enclosed garden area includes a mud kitchen which children thoroughly enjoy. Together they create potions and recipes, adding herbs and water that is available to them.

Children enjoy playing in the school field. They explore the vast space, climbing trees and making dens.Children are given a choice about the food provided.

Staff encourage children to help to clear away their plates and cups after meals and snacks. The management team implements effective procedures to ensure children with allergies and intolerances are kept safe.Well-organised recruitment procedures ensure staff are suitable to work with children.

Managers complete relevant checks on new staff before they start and use an induction process to train staff effectively. Staff receive regular supervision sessions and appraisals to ensure they remain suitable for their role. Managers encourage staff to talk about their well-being and look for ways to support them.

This results in a dedicated and motivated team.Staff complete in-house training to improve their knowledge and skills. They talk positively about the opportunities they have to progress their qualifications.

Policies are shared with staff and are available for staff to use. This helps to ensure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.Partnerships with the host school are effective.

Staff gather information from parents and class teachers to help support children's needs. Effective communication systems ensure information is shared between all parties. This provides continuity of care for the children and their families.

Parents speak positively about the setting. They say their children are 'really happy here'. They appreciate the various forms of communication used to share newsletters and upcoming holiday clubs.

Parents are pleased that staff ask children about ideas for activities.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The management team ensures that staff's knowledge of child protection is current.

Staff undertake safeguarding training to understand their role in keeping children safe. They know what to do if they have concerns about a child's welfare or the conduct of adults working with children. Staff are aware of the signs that a child might be at risk of abuse or harm.

Managers follow the robust recruitment processes in place. They induct staff into their roles and monitor their suitability to continue caring for children. Managers regularly review accident forms to help ensure children can play safely, inside and outside.

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