Chelmsford YMCA @ Baddow Hall

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children attend this provision with great joy and enthusiasm. They have many opportunities to choose what they would like to explore and access with help and support from the staff.

The environment is stimulating with fun and exciting activities. For example, children enjoy exploring the home corner, pretending to be doctors. They play well together and engage in conversations with each other.

This helps strengthen their social interactions and builds on their confidence and self-esteem. Children have strong relationships with the staff and understand the provision's established routines. Children are confident to approach... staff, such as to ask for help supplying new resources and activities.

They enjoy the large outdoor space and have many opportunities to be active and learn about healthy lifestyles. For example, children engage in a game of tennis to further develop their gross-motor skills. They are following the rules of the game with confidence and work as part of a team.

Furthermore, children are fascinated to engage in an archery activity outdoors. This helps them consolidate their hand-to-eye coordination and concentration skills.

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

Staff offer an inclusive practice.

They take children's views and interests into consideration when planning a range of fun and exciting activities. Staff meet with the children at the beginning of each term to discuss what they would like to explore and have access to. For example, they decide on topics for activities based on current events.

Staff are excellent role models for the children. They model language well and engage in meaningful conversations with the children. Staff support children's independence, creativity and imaginative skills.

For example, they encourage the children to use a wide array of materials and mark-making tools to create collages of foxes, while discussing different techniques and how to use scissors safely.Children enjoy exploring a construction activity, working together as a team to build a large structure. Furthermore, staff engage in discussions with the children to support their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

Children behave very well and have excellent manners. They show high levels of respect towards their peers and staff. For example, at dinnertime children show their gratitude towards the staff who cooked their meal.

Staff give clear instructions and explanations, and children understand the expectations for appropriate behaviour.Staff engage very well with the children. They are warm and caring and continuously praise children's achievements.

When obstacles occur, staff encourage the children to persevere. This helps build children's resilience and self-esteem.Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings and training that enable them to develop their practice and knowledge.

They feel very well supported in their role and career growth. In addition, they say they are happy working at this provision.Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the provision.

They constantly reflect on their practice and strive to deliver high-quality care and inspirational activities for the children. Leaders value the staff and place a great emphasis on their well-being and professional growth.Partnerships with parents are strong and effective.

Parents comment how inclusive and supportive the staff are. They praise the fun and exciting activities the children have access to. Staff work well with the parents to find out about the children's needs and interests.

This promotes good continuity of care and adds value to the provision's overall practice.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff and leaders have a sound knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, including wider aspects such as county lines.

They also have a deep knowledge and understanding about how to deal with disclosures and make referrals to relevant professionals, to protect children from harm. There is a robust induction process in place to ensure all staff complete regular and relevant training to keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date. Policies and procedures are robust and effective and updated regularly.

These are implemented accordingly and shared with staff and parents. Furthermore, effective staff deployment means that children are well supervised and cared for. This helps to assure children's safety and welfare.

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