Castle Care Club at St Peters

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children happily greet staff in the playground and talk about their day at school. New children talk excitedly about attending club for the first time, describing how they are looking forward to playing outside with their friends.

Children walk sensibly to club, following staff instructions. They enter the setting and quickly engage in activities with their peers. There is a buzz of chatter in the club.

Children confidently express their needs and wishes to staff. This shows children feel safe and secure.Children's behaviour in the club is excellent.

They respectfully listen to each other and staff. They take turn...s and help each other. They use good manners and follow the rules of the setting.

Older children involve younger children in their games and extend their play. Children settle to open-ended activities that follow their interest. They sustain long levels of concentration on tasks of their choosing.

For example, children enjoy junk modelling and talk proudly about their creations. They create multi-storey mazes for their pet hamsters, with interconnecting doors and tunnels. They use string to create pretend laser alarms.

Children describe how they have made 'extinct raving raptors' and body shields and proudly show their parents at home time.

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

Staff support transitions into the club. Children visit the setting with parents, prior to starting.

Individualised settling-in sessions enable children to settle quickly. Information sheets completed by parents provide staff with a clear understanding of children's needs and interests. Staff have developed close-working partnerships with the local school.

This enables staff to plan around topics and events children are interested in at home and learning about at school. This helps to further extend children's knowledge and skills.Children talk enthusiastically about their time at the club.

They talk about enjoying craft, technology, role play, outdoor play, snacks and playing with their friends. Staff seek children's views of what they would like to do while at the club. For example, children create mini-beasts and fish in a tank, following their own ideas.

Children state that the staff are kind to them. Staff support children's emerging additional needs. They work in close-working partnership with school and parents to provide personalised care and support.

Staff promote healthy lifestyles. They prepare healthy snacks on the premises. They remind children to follow safe hygiene routines.

Children wash their hands before playing, after self-care and before eating. Children have access to fruit throughout the session and independently serve themselves fresh drinks. They have daily access to outdoor play which promotes their physical health and well- being.

They run around energetically playing football and bat and ball games. They play cooperatively with their peers of all ages. Furthermore, staff support children to use a timer to limit their screen time.

They also provide a cosy book corner where children can rest after a busy day.Parents speak highly about the club, stating their children are happy and safe. They describe staff as fantastic, friendly and like a second family, some stating they would be lost without them.

Staff talk to parents daily and seek their views about the club in yearly questionnaires. Parents describe how children tell them about what they do at club. Children tell their parents they enjoy cooking, craft and outdoor play with their friends.

However, leaders and managers could further develop communication with parents. This will ensure they are kept fully informed of what the club has to offer.Leadership and management monitor the provision closely.

They recognise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's personal, social and emotional development. They also understand the impact it has had on children's home lives. They build strong relationships with children and families and take pride in knowing children are happy and safe.

They ensure safe ratios are always maintained. They have safe recruitment, vetting and induction procedures in place. Staff state that they feel supported by leaders and managers.

Leaders monitor staff training and ensure all mandatory training is up to date. Further training is encouraged and accessible to improve staff knowledge and outcomes for children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The premises are safe and secure. Staff complete regular risk assessments to minimise risk. Staff have a secure knowledge of the signs of abuse, including an understanding of the 'Prevent' duty, county lines and female genital mutilation.

They are aware of the procedures to follow if they have concerns. This includes a whistle-blowing policy to raise concerns higher if needed. Staff ensure safe collection of children procedures are in place and followed.

Children can only leave the premises with those that have permission to do so. A password system provides added security. This all helps to keep children safe.