Chucklebox@clare House

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements The provider continues to meet statutory requirements as identified at the last inspection. She and the staff team create a safe, caring, and enjoyable environment for children after their school day. Staff are warm and responsive to children.

They forge good relationships with them, which helps children to feel settled and safe. Staff are good role models to all children and older children are very caring towards the younger ones; some of whom have only recently joined. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), receive a warm welcome and good support.

Staff continually encour...age children's emotional well-being and help them to develop a strong sense of belonging.Staff have clear expectations for children's behaviour. They are kind and gentle, but also calmly reinforce the setting's rules when there are any minor disagreements.

Children respond positively to their input and behave well.Despite recent staffing issues, the provider works hard to create an effective staff team and reduce any pressures on them. Staff who are relatively new to the setting receive good induction opportunities to ensure they can provide the best possible care for children.

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

The provider is reflective and works with her team to continually improve the service she provides for children and their families. She and the staff team use their skills well to ensure that children are safe and fully enjoy their play experiences.The provider has effective systems in place to recruit, train, and support all staff.

She provides the team with regular supervision and professional development opportunities and manages staff performance well. Staff know their roles and responsibilities and work well together to care for children.Staff set up the play environment well so that children can quickly follow their interests and explore as soon as they arrive.

Even children new to the setting show independence, confidence, and self-motivation as they move around and choose their preferred activities. Some like to be inside playing with friends, while others enjoy being outside. Staff encourage children's physical skills well as they run around, play team games, or play with resources, such as bats and balls.

Staff are deployed well to keep children safe, and they remain alert to their changing needs and interests. They know when to support children and when to allow them time to play by themselves, such as when they look at books or draw pictures. Older children often help the younger ones as they play amicably together.

The provider and her staff team work well with school staff and parents to understand and meet children's individual needs. They share information to support children, including children with SEND. They follow agreed procedures for the safe transition of children from school into the setting, to keep children safe.

Staff are good role models to children and help them to learn right from wrong. They show great respect towards them and positive interactions that children learn and copy. For example, young children listen and respond well as their older friends reassure them that Reception class feels hard because it is new, but that it does get easier.

Children enjoy good relationships with staff and each other.The provider and staff offer children a healthy snack after school. They encourage them to wash their hands before eating, as part of helping them to learn about good hygiene practices.

Children make choices about what they would like to eat and enjoy this time relaxing and chatting to their friends.The provider shares a good range of information with parents to ensure that they understand how the setting operates. Parents report positively about the care their children receive.

They say they feel well informed, that their children enjoy the club and, sometimes, do not want to leave.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.