First Friends After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are settled and happy at the club. They arrive eager to take part in the activities and routine tasks on offer. For example, older children help staff to prepare tea.

They know to wash their hands and put on aprons before handling food. Children develop skills for the future, for instance they concentrate as they carefully use knives to cut tomatoes. Staff support children to safely use the oven to cook fish fingers for their sandwiches.

Children enjoy having responsibility and being independent. For example, after tea is finished, children are keen to help staff to clean up. Children work together to decide who w...ill wash and who will dry the dishes.

Children are enthusiastic and actively use their imagination. They make volcanoes in the sand and say they are Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna. Staff encourage children to have their own ideas and lead their play.

For example, children hunt through the vast array of resources and discover long pieces of red paper to use as lava erupting from their volcanoes. They transport water to the sand tray and create a lake around the volcanoes. Children are proud of their creation and excitedly tell staff and visitors about it.

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

Staff work closely with the host school. They share information to ensure the safety and well-being of children. Staff undertake joint projects with the school.

For example, they work together to help raise parents' and children's awareness of online safety.Children have free access to indoor and outdoor activities. Staff deployment is used well to ensure that children are safely supervised.

Staff understand that some children need time to relax after a full day at school. As a result, they include quieter activities and comfortable areas for children to sit in.Parents speak fondly of the club and say, 'They are a great group of staff.'

Parents feel reassured that staff would contact them in the event of any concerns. Staff work in partnership with parents to find out children's interests, hobbies and what they like doing. This helps staff to plan exciting activities that capture children's interest.

Children behave well. Outside, they tell visitors the areas where they are allowed to play and know this is to keep them safe. Children know that they must wear helmets when on scooters and bikes.

On occasion, staff gently remind children not to go on a ramp with their scooters. Children respond positively to staff and act upon these requests.Children are confident and independent.

During mealtimes they self-serve food and drinks. Children sit and talk together. However, staff do not always use this time to sit with children to further support social skills and understanding of healthy food choices.

Staff are receptive to children's interests and take on board their suggestions. For example, they have implemented children's proposal of a weekly cookery club. Each week, children research a recipe that they would like to cook or bake.

For instance, they write down a recipe for cheese twists. Children share the pastry and listen to staff as they clearly explain how to twist the pastry before putting it in the oven to bake.Staff provide children with a range of different play dough and utensils.

Children concentrate as they manipulate the play dough to make pretend cake and cookie balls. They use their strength to twist and turn a tool to produce twisty play dough pasta. Children smile and show delight as they admire their creations.

Children learn how to take care of their teeth. Staff provide activities to help children understand the importance of oral health. For example, they use toothbrushes to brush off pretend plaque on laminated photos of teeth and learn how to clean their teeth properly.

Leaders and managers provide effective staff support. They regularly share knowledge and skills, and conduct in-house staff training. For instance, leaders share updates from recent safeguarding training.

Staff meetings and supervisions are used to provide dedicated time to discuss any concerns, development opportunities and overall staff well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.A detailed safeguarding policy is in place.

Staff can identify signs and symptoms of abuse and know what to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Staff attend safeguarding training regularly, and leaders routinely test out the knowledge and understanding of staff. Staff undertake training and have processes in place to meet children's individual health needs.

Staff are vigilant to the safety and security of the premises. Procedures are in place to ensure that children are only collected by authorised persons. Staff ensure that children are safely supervised, throughout their time at the club.

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