Ferry Link Club Ltd

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children settle quickly at the welcoming club. They arrive with a smile and are warmly greeted by staff.

Children talk to staff about what they would like to play with at the club. They confidently explore the environment, deciding what to choose. Staff help children to retrieve and set up the required materials when they decide to continue with their cardboard creations.

This helps to nurture children's sense of belonging.Staff have high expectations for all children. They encourage children to have a can-do attitude.

Staff use praise and encouragement to help children to keep trying as they create a straw tower.... Children beam with pride as their tower stands tall.Staff and leaders model a respectful and nurturing nature.

Children and staff discuss the importance of working together and helping their fellow 'Ferry Clubbers'. This encourages children to be kind and courteous. Older children take delight in helping younger children, who are new to the club, to settle.

This helps younger children to feel secure. It also promotes confidence and self-esteem in older children.Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the club has additional health and safety measures in place.

Children learn that increased cleaning and handwashing helps to reduce the spread of germs and keep everyone safe.

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

Staff and leaders focus on building children's independence. When children first start attending the club, staff offer lots of support for children still learning the club routine.

As a result, children are becoming increasingly confident. Children are also quickly developing the skills required to manage their own self-care needs.Children access the various resources available.

Staff provide support, and challenge children as they play. Older children show good levels of concentration as they work together to make pom-poms from wool. Younger children use paints and brush strokes to create their interpretations of the Olympic symbol.

Reading areas are set up so children can easily access books. Staff help children to learn about other cultures and beliefs by exploring the stories and illustrations together.Leaders and staff value their good relationships with parents.

Parents are complimentary about the club. They comment on how much their children enjoy coming to the club. Parents also praise the kindness and approachability of all staff.

Leaders support the long-standing staff team well. Staff report that they enjoy working at the club. They access professional development opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills.

Most staff have recently completed safeguarding and paediatric first-aid training. Leaders provide staff with regular updates about other relevant courses.Leaders provide a club that is safe and fun.

They consult with staff, children and parents for continuous improvement. This helps leaders to find out what works well and how they can raise the quality of the club even higher.Children respond well to the clear and consistent routines and boundaries in place.

Children of all ages play together well, modelling turn taking and sharing. Staff have a shared understanding of how to promote positive behaviour. When disputes arise, staff talk to children to help them understand the impact of their behaviour on themselves and others.

Children are active in the outdoor play area. They use the various resources available to climb, cycle, balance and run. They enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals and snacks.

However, staff do not talk to children about the benefits of physical exercise and a healthy diet, and how it contributes to overall good health.Leaders and staff have good lines of communication with schools attended by children. They talk to school staff regularly and discuss children's progress.

This helps staff at the club provide experiences that complement what children are doing at school. Leaders and staff also recognise the importance of building good relationships and working in partnership with parents. As parents cannot enter the club, staff meet with parents outside to tell them about their child's day.

Staff have also increased online contact so that parents can communicate with the club in different ways. Parents report how much they value this additional support.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff have a good knowledge of how to keep children safe. They are aware of signs and symptoms that might indicate that a child is at risk from significant harm or abuse. Staff discuss the need to be aware of children and families who may be vulnerable to extreme views or ideas.

They confidently discuss the steps to take to report safeguarding concerns to the relevant agencies. Staff are aware of where to go for support should a concern be made against them, or if they witness malpractice from another practitioner. Robust vetting procedures ensure staff are suitable to work with children.