Challengers Kingston Holiday Playscheme

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children from a number of schools attend the well-managed playscheme. Children display a strong sense of belonging and excitement as they arrive at the club. They make good friendships with each other and form secure and trusting relationships with their key persons.

Staff place a strong focus on getting to know each individual child they are working with through settling-in visits, meetings with parents and collecting a vast amount of information before children start. As a result, children settle quickly and enjoy their time at the playscheme.Children confidently explore the welcoming environment and particularly thrive in the la...rge outdoor playground.

Children enjoy having the space to run around, ride bikes and use the climbing equipment which challenges them and supports their physical development. Resources and activities are age and stage appropriate and well planned. Children delight in learning about different themes such as space, as they explore sensory materials, such as glow sticks, lights and space play dough.

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

Staff are very good at supporting children's individual needs and interests. They are highly engaging and spend a lot of time with the children, following their interests and joining in with their play. Staff offer lots of praise and encouragement throughout the day and, as a result, children are confident and develop good levels of self-esteem while at the playscheme.

Parent partnerships are well developed. Staff keep parents well informed about their child's daily achievements at the playscheme, through their 'daily stars'. Parents speak very positively about how their children enjoy attending and the activities staff provide.

They feel their children are well cared for and value the support they receive. For example, staff will share resources and ideas with parents to help support their children at home.Children develop a good understanding of how they can keep themselves healthy.

They are encouraged to bring in healthy and nutritious lunches and snacks. They are given opportunities during activities, such as making fruit kebabs, to try new foods that they may not have had before. Children also learn about good hygiene procedures such as handwashing before meal times.

Professional development is strong. Staff say that they are very well supported and have regular supervisions and meetings with the management team. Newer members of staff value the support they receive through induction procedures and shadowing other members of staff and, as a result, have a very strong understanding of their role.

All staff attend regular training and updates and are encouraged to further their own qualifications and careers.The manager has good links with the local schools children attend and other professionals involved in their care. Staff attend regular meetings and keep up to date with each child's development to have a better understanding of their needs.

The management team effectively evaluate the service they provide. They actively seek the views of parents and children and use this information for planning and looking at what they can improve. For example, following recent parental feedback, they have moved the setting to a larger school with more outdoor space which has highly benefitted the children.

Staff are excellent role models for children and show respect as they speak and listen to the children and each other. They have effective behaviour management strategies in place, such as using sand timers to support sharing and turn taking. Staff communicate effectively with children.

For example, they get down to the children's level, use visual aids and explain situations clearly to resolve any conflict during the sessions.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a good understanding of how to protect children from harm.

They know how to identify and report their concerns about how to keep children safe. All staff attend regular training to ensure that their safeguarding knowledge is up to date. Staff make sure that the premises are safe and well maintained.

They act swiftly to deal with hazards. Managers ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Good recruitment and induction procedures help staff to understand their roles in keeping children safe.

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