Cherry Tree Kids Club @ East Wickham Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are collected from their classrooms at the end of the school day and look forward to attending the club.

Information is shared between the school and the club, which supports children's well-being. Children receive a warm welcome from staff on their arrival. They show interest in the children's day and engage in conversations.

Children take responsibility for their belongings. They hang up their coats and bags and refill their water bottles if needed. Children know the routine and wash their hands before snack, which promotes good hygiene practices.

Independence is encouraged and children decide where the...y would like to play. They settle quickly at activities and older and younger children play well together. For example, children challenge their friends to board games and show high levels of concentration as they construct with small building bricks.

Children use their imaginations as they play with small-world figures.Staff have high expectations for all children and role model expected behaviour. They regularly give children praise and use gentle reminders when necessary.

Children understand the club rules and demonstrate being quiet while the register is being taken. Children follow instructions and behave well. They share resources, take turns and use good manners.

Children are kind and older children support their younger peers.

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

Staff get to know children well from the beginning. They collect information about children's interests, which helps staff to plan activities and supports children to build positive relationships.

Staff listen to children's views and engage in their play, which helps them to gain confidence and enjoy their time at the club.Staff use opportunities to promote healthy lifestyles. They supervise children as they make choices for their healthy snacks.

Children are encouraged to select their own fillings to add to crackers or bagels and add vegetables to their plate. Children have water to drink. Staff sit with children during snack time, which encourages good social interaction.

Children have access to the outside area and enjoy playing games. They play with their peers and follow rules. Children skilfully use bats and hit balls to each other to catch.

They proudly show staff how they can skip and demonstrate their determination as they practise using hula hoops. These activities help children to increase their physical skills and coordination.The manager is supportive to the staff team.

Staff all meet together regularly to share ideas. New staff state they are supported through their induction process.This helps them to understand their roles and responsibilities.

All staff have regular supervision and access training to develop their continued professional development. This helps to increase their knowledge and skills further.Children share their experiences of the club with the inspector.

They state they enjoy attending and feel safe. If they had any concerns, they would talk to a member of staff. This ensures staff can support children's well-being.

Children enjoy the wide range of activities, the snacks and spending time with their friends.Parents state that their children are happy to attend the club and enjoy making friends across the different age groups. The staff are friendly, caring and their children enjoy the range of activities.

Although staff communicate with parents, they stated that this could be improved further with more information being shared about the planned activities and the menu.Staff support children to learn about the wider world and promote inclusion and diversity. They engage children in discussions about world news and celebrate different festivals through craft activities and food tasting.

This helps children to gain an understanding of different cultures and faiths and learn respect for others.The manager and staff team reflect on the service they provide. They discuss and review how different activities have been enjoyed by the children and share new ideas.

The staff work well together and seek views from the children. They replenish and update resources to ensure children benefit from their time at the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager and staff have completed safeguarding training, including the 'Prevent' duty, and understand their responsibilities to keep children safe. Staff deploy effectively around the club to ensure children are supervised and ratios are maintained. Staff are aware of potential signs, which may indicate a child is at risk of harm or neglect.

They all know the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff consider potential risks and remind children about safety. Robust recruitment procedures are in place to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children.

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