Elm Cottage Out of School at Didsbury Road

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy their time at the out-of-school club. They show that they feel safe as they separate from their parents with ease.

Children choose from the wide variety of interesting activities. For example, they role play with staff at the 'beauty salon'. Children delight in giving staff a new hair style.

Children are involved in deciding what activities are offered and vote on aspects of their day. For example, children vote on what colour play dough to make. This helps children to learn about democracy.

This also helps staff to tailor activities to children's interests, making sure that children enjoy what is o...n offer. Children behave very well and achieve the high expectations that staff have of them with ease. Staff are excellent role models.

Children emulate them and are respectful and polite. Where children experience frustrations, staff step in sensitively to help them learn to resolve their differences and manage their emotions. Children make new friends at the club and develop their social skills as they mix in larger groups.

Staff understand that this is something that some children have struggled with since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Leaders and staff are dedicated to their roles. Leaders use staff's strengths to maximum effect.

For example, children create outfits from bin bags. They learn about design and sustainability from staff whose passion is art and design. Staff feel well supported in their roles.

Staff know children well and understand how to meet their individual needs. For instance, staff and children are learning some sign language. This help children to enhance their communication with children who have hearing impairments.

Children are learning about the importance of inclusion.Staff training is well targeted to have an impact on children. Staff have recently completed training about enhancing physical development in the early years.

Staff encourage younger children to strengthen their core muscles through floor play. Children refine their fine-motor skills as they thread small beads to make jewellery. This helps to support children's developing physical skills.

Children benefit from the large indoor and outside spaces. They run around and play sports and games. Staff utilise children's skills and talents.

For example, children who excel at sports help lead activities for other children. Children's overall well-being is well supported.Staff offer constant praise for children's efforts and achievements.

Children are proud of their talents and are keen to display them. Children decide to hold a talent show. They appoint judges and make medals.

Children cheer their friends. The 'judges' crown their friends, who display a gymnastics routine as the winners. Children's social development is well supported.

Staff and children have interesting discussions. For example, they discuss gravity as they make aliens from play dough. Staff model excellent speech and read to children on request.

Some children choose to read their own books. Children are confident and are excellent communicators.Children understand the routines of the day and why there are rules in place.

Staff discuss good hydration and oral health with children. Children begin to learn some healthy habits. Children are responsible for looking after their own belongings.

This helps to support children's independence skills.The 'buddy' system pairs older and younger children to help younger children to settle. This gives older children the opportunity to take on responsibility and encourages friendships across age groups.

Children mix with others who have different heritage and backgrounds. Theme weeks such as 'All around the World' help children to learn about different countries and cultures. Children begin to appreciate our diverse world.

Relationships with parents are strong. Parents are happy with the care and activities that their children access. They know what is on offer each week through the information on the website.

Parents comment that their children's confidence has grown since attending the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Leaders and staff have a sound understanding of safeguarding policy and practice.

This includes keeping children safe from extreme views and radicalisation. They understand what to do if they are concerned about the welfare of a child. Leaders and staff understand the procedure to follow if they are concerned about the behaviour of a colleague.

They understand about county lines. Staff teach children about online safety and how to keep themselves safe from potential dangers on the internet. Premises are clean, safe, and secure, ensuring children's ongoing safety.

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