Essex After School Clubs @ Broadford

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children happily enter the setting at the end of the school day. They quickly engage in conversations and give hugs as children greet each other and staff.

Children understand the routine for the start of the session as they wash their hands and make choices in their play, until all children have arrived and they gather for staff to take the register.The behaviour of children is exemplary. Staff are exceptionally good role models for children and, as such, children treat each other the way staff treat them.

Older children help and show empathy to those younger than themselves. For example, when younger children fall over, ...older children are quick to help them up, give them a hug and check they are alright, before a staff member takes over. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are exceptionally well supported.

Staff are clear where children may need extra support, for example during busy transition times they support those children that need it. Leaders have regular meetings with the school to ensure up-to-date information relating to all children is shared. Consistent strategies help children to feel secure within the setting and thrive within this supportive environment.

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

Staff at the setting know children extremely well and have developed close relationships with them. Children are excited to tell staff what they have been doing in school and show pride in sharing their creations with staff.The activities and experiences available to children ensure that they are focussed and engaged in meaningful play for the entire session.

Some children sit talking to each other while making complex structures out of small bricks, which maintains their focus and interest well. Other children engage in imaginative play, developing an increasingly complex narrative to their story as they join their ideas together.The setting promotes healthy lifestyles to children.

For instance, children make fruit kebabs to eat after their tea, they learn about the health benefits of different fruits, and which vitamins oranges contain. Physical exercise plays a large part in the club's philosophy and children enjoy spending time outside using the large play apparatus and playing football. Information regarding maintaining good oral health is shared with parents.

Children's voices form an integral part of the setting. Children vote for the staff member of the month. Termly meetings are held with the children to discuss the menu for that term.

Children have included options such as lasagne and toad-in-the-hole. Feedback questionnaires have a section for the children's voices to be heard and the setting regularly reflect on how they can improve the setting for children of all ages.Staff plan an engaging and broad curriculum, which considers the interests and development needs of all children.

Children take part in weekly cookery sessions and science experiments, older children engage with a specialist sports coach, who leads structured sessions around physical development.Children talk happily about their time at the club. They say that they particularly enjoy the group games they play at the end of the day.

This is evident as children and staff come together to play a team game. Staff enthusiastically chase the children in circles to cheers of delight as the children safely make it back to their space.Partnership with parents is excellent.

Parents compliment the levels of communication from the setting and feel they are well informed of what is happening weekly. They describe how happy their children are to attend. Parents praise the staff for their caring and passionate interactions with children.

Leaders at the setting strive to promote the professional development of all staff. Leaders support staff to complete appropriate qualifications through their own developed training programmes. Leaders are passionate about ensuring all children have access to quality experiences at all of their after-school facilities.

Leaders work with the local authority to provide support and advice to other local providers.

Safeguarding

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

Also at this postcode