Fun Days Holiday Playscheme

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children play in a welcoming and well-resourced environment.

Relationships between staff and children are very good, and children are happy, motivated and sociable. On arrival at the club, children make decisions about what to play with and quickly get involved in their chosen activities. Children are very kind to each other.

They follow staff's encouraging ways. For example, older children support younger children during games and help them to use equipment safely. This natural display of support demonstrates the strong bonds children have created.

Children talked excitedly about outings they had been on earlier ...on in the week, including to the London Transport Museum. Staff provide effective opportunities to extend children's learning. For example, children played in a pretend ticket office and talked about the different journeys and the types of transport they had previously seen.

Children are confident. They stand up in front of their friends and staff and share stories about what they have done that day. Staff praise the children for their efforts, and children each get a chance to have their say.

This has a very positive impact on children's self-esteem. Children are physically active every day. They join in enthusiastically with movement games and enjoy trips to the local parks and soft-play centres.

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

Since the last inspection, the manager and staff have worked hard to make improvements to the playscheme. For example, effective induction procedures are now in place and all staff have a good understanding of what to do if they have a concern about a child's well-being.Parents speak highly of the playscheme and say that they feel the staff are 'friendly' and 'approachable'.

Parents say that they chose the club because of the vast range of outdoor opportunities and outings provided, and that their children tell them how much they enjoy attending.Staff plan a stimulating play environment, based around children's ages, ability and interests. There is a wide variety of resources available for children to develop their skills further.

For example, children enjoy drawing around each other to create posters of themselves. Staff later use these drawings to encourage children to look at similarities between themselves and others, developing children's understanding of the world around them.Staff know the children well.

They recognise when they are sad or tired and do what they can in a nurturing way, to involve children in activities that interest and engage them. Children spend long periods at their chosen activities and enjoy it when the staff join in. Everyone joins in with learning new songs, and signs and takes turns in leading the group.

The playscheme has strong links with the local community and sets up events to help or involve local people. For example, children help with gardening within the community and invite residents on annual outings.The manager uses self-evaluation effectively to reflect on the playscheme's strengths and weaknesses.

She includes the views of staff, parents and children in this process. For example, children are asked to reflect on what they enjoy doing and make choices in the activities and outings provided at the playscheme.Children engage in meaningful conversations with staff, who listen carefully to what children are saying.

Staff use skilful questioning to encourage children to express their thoughts and ideas and expand on conversations.Professional development is strong. Staff say they are very well supported and enjoy volunteering at the playscheme.

They are encouraged to further their own qualifications and careers. Robust supervision procedures help to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and have a very strong understanding of their role.Children develop a strong understanding of how they can keep themselves healthy.

Staff give clear messages to all children about healthy eating. They provide a range of fruit for snack times and encourage children to bring in healthy packed lunches.Staff give children opportunities to develop their independence.

Children put on their own coats to play outside and help set up the tables for snack. However, these opportunities could be extended even further to enhance children's skills and sense of responsibility.Children demonstrate a good understanding of environmental matters.

For example, they discuss recent events in the area and enjoy using a range of recycled materials to create new structures, such as trains, buses and musical instruments.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a good understanding of how to protect children from harm.

They know how to identify and report their concerns about children to keep them safe. All staff attend regular training, as well as meetings, to ensure that their safeguarding knowledge is kept up to date. Staff make sure that the setting is safe and well maintained.

They act swiftly to deal with hazards. Managers ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Good recruitment and induction procedures help staff to understand their roles in keeping children safe.