First Steps At Woodlea

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements The club has an inclusive and happy atmosphere.

Children are greeted at the end of their school day with big smiles from the enthusiastic and dedicated staff. Every child is welcomed and valued. Children tell the inspector that they feel safe in the club and really enjoy attending.

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, that ignite their interest. For example, they concentrate hard while they make a pattern using scratch-art templates. Children discuss their ideas with the supportive staff, who encourage them to make their own designs.

This promotes children's creativity very well. Children take part in a rang...e of team games in the outdoor area. They learn about working together and taking turns.

Children are very confident and show high levels of independence. They show respect and consideration for others, and are very keen to help. Children talk about how happy they are when they get chosen for jobs, such as serving tea and setting up activities.

This demonstrates the very positive attitudes children have.Staff share their high expectations with children. They support them to take responsibility for their own behaviour and teach them about ways to stay safe.

For example, under staff's supervision, children take responsibility for locking the outdoor gates and toasting their own bread.

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

Club staff and teachers in school share information about the children who attend. Staff complement and extend children's learning in school through fun games and activities.

For example, they use board games that involve counting to help children to strengthen their skills in addition and subtraction.Children's behaviour is very good. Staff ensure that children know what is expected of them.

For example, they use a tambourine to give children a countdown to the next part of their routine. Staff share information with school staff about the rewards and strategies they use. This helps to provide a consistent approach to managing children's behaviour.

Managers have a good understanding of the strengths of their provision. Together with staff, they use regular professional development opportunities to build on and strengthen their practice. For example, they take up networking opportunities with other professionals to share ideas for new and exciting activities.

Children can choose to be active in their play or, if they prefer, they can relax in a quiet area. They independently choose activities and are, generally, busy and engaged in play. However, on occasions, staff do not organise some routine times of the day as effectively.

For example, the youngest children, sometimes, become a little restless when waiting to go outside.Parents speak highly about the club and it's staff. They talk about how well staff help new and less-confident children to settle quickly into the club.

Parents appreciate the plentiful opportunities children have for fresh air and exercise after a day at school. They welcome the good communication from staff about activities and events.Children's views are actively sought and valued.

Staff are currently developing new ways to gather these even more effectively. Children use a notebook to consult with their friends about changes they would like to see in the club, then share their suggestions with staff. They help to plan teatime menus, and to choose new games and activities.

Staff support children's emotional needs well. They are very aware of circumstances that may affect children's confidence. For example, they identify younger children who need more support when their older siblings stop attending the club.

This helps children to feel secure.Children learn about healthy lifestyles. They follow well-established hygiene routines that help to prevent the spread of infection.

Staff serve fresh fruit and vegetables with the teatime meal. However, they do not consistently use such opportunities to help children be even more aware about the benefits of nutritious foods.Staff's morale is high and they work well together as a team.

They share their knowledge and skills between them, and learn from one another. This helps staff to identify areas for development in the club and informs plans for the future.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Managers ensure that staff have access to professional development opportunities that help them to maintain a secure and up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding. Staff know how to identify children who may be at risk from abuse. They know what to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare.

There are robust procedures for recruiting new staff, that help to ensure that those caring for children are suitable to do so. Staff are aware of the risks to children when they are using the internet. They talk to children about keeping themselves safe and encourage them to share their worries with a trusted adult.

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