Fun Science

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive happily at the club. Staff enthusiastically greet them and help them settle.

Children quickly become engaged in a wide range of activities and experiences that staff have planned for them. Children of all ages play together and chat as they complete floor puzzles and take turns while playing board games. They spend long periods of time at their chosen activities and enjoy it when staff join in.

For example, children concentrate as they build towers as tall as themselves. Children confidently talk to their friends and ask staff questions or go to them for help. Staff attentively listen and respond positively... to children's comments.

This supports children to feel that their ideas and thoughts are listened to and helps them to feel valued. Children behave well and listen carefully to instructions. They know the rules and boundaries of the club and follow them as expected.

For instance, they pack up their toys when they are asked and sit ready for staff to show them the first science experiment of the day. Children smile and gasp at the experiments and love being referred to as 'fun scientists' by enthusiastic and caring staff. This gives children a strong sense of belonging and gives them the confidence to try new experiences.

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

Managers and leaders are passionate about providing children experiences that spark their curiosity and encourage children to be inquisitive and ask questions. They support staff to plan and deliver science-based activities that motivate children to want to know more. The management team understand their roles and responsibilities and are keen to receive and act on feedback to improve what they offer for children.

Staff work closely with parents to ensure there is a good two-way flow of information. They ask parents for detailed information when their children join the club to ensure they have all the information they need to help keep children safe. For example, staff use information effectively to manage any allergies or dietary requirements that children might have when planning the ingredients needed for the science experiments.

Parents speak highly of the club. They say children 'come home happy' and 'talk enthusiastically about the fun things they've done'. Parents appreciate the communication they have with staff.

Children's language and communication is very well supported. Staff consistently role model good language, engage in back-and-forth conversations with children, thoughtfully answer children's questions and give age-appropriate explanations for new concepts and new vocabulary. For instance, staff carefully explain why raisins move around in water when certain ingredients are added due to bubbles being created.

Staff ensure that the resources, games and activities meet the individual needs of the range of children who attend. Staff skilfully make sure that all children are fully supported and included throughout the day. Children of all ages show excitement and are keen to volunteer to take part in the experiments.

They love wearing the protective goggles and excitedly count backwards as they wait for a chemical reaction to happen.Children's personal social and emotional development is supported well. Staff encourage children to share equipment and resources.

They give younger children phrases they can use when they want to borrow something from a friend. Children politely ask, 'Please can I have that when you have finished it with it.' Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour.

Rules are consistently applied. Staff sensitively remind children about walking in the setting, where they can and cannot go and talk to children about how to look after the equipment. Children listen and show respect for staff and each other.

For instance, older children help younger children to use the scissors for an activity.

Safeguarding

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

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