Gerrards Cross After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements The atmosphere in the club is positive and children have a strong sense of belonging.

Children arrive happily, hang up their coats and bags, and quickly settle to activities set out by the staff. The younger children receive effective support from their key person who gets to know them well. Kind and caring staff encourage children to enjoy time with their friends.

Children join in a range of activities to complement what they already know and can do. For instance, they enjoy drawing and colouring, constructing with bricks and fitting puzzles together. Children build on their physical skills, for example, as they dance, ba...lance on stilts, play games, such as 'duck, duck, goose'.

During this game, children eagerly listen to instructions and follow the rules. They have fun chasing and catching one another. Children behave well.

Staff act as good role models and give children gentle reminders about the rules of the club. Children learn manners and are respectful towards others. They clearly and confidently express themselves.

Children happily share and involve others in their play, for instance, as they play matching and counting games.

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

Since the last inspection, the manager has taken steps to improve the club. She meets with staff to support and monitor their performance.

Staff have opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. For example, they attend training courses and meetings, and have support from the local authority. The manager and staff reflect on the provision to identify and build on good practice.

They value the views of parents and children to help plan improvements. This helps to ensure the service meets the needs of the children and their families.Parents are very satisfied with the care and safety of their children.

They say staff are approachable, kind and helpful. Their children are very happy and enjoy attending.Partnerships with the host school are established.

Staff communicate successfully with teachers to complement children's care and learning, and to help ensure their needs are met.Children learn the importance of good hygiene routines and benefit from nutritious snacks. For example, they wash their hands before snack time and enjoy pasta with various toppings of their choosing.

Children take some responsibilities in their club, such as helping to tidy away their cups and plates.Staff support children's emotional well-being and help them gain an understanding of what makes them unique. The successful key-person system for the younger children, helps staff to get to know them well and they form secure attachments.

Staff set up activities and resources before children arrive at their club. They talk to children about activities they would like. However, staff do not consistently give children more choices to build on and challenge their thoughts and ideas as they play.

Children have many opportunities to build on their mathematical understanding. For instance, staff encourage them to count, name colours and shapes, and explore size and measurement as they build with bricks.Staff effectively support children's communication and language.

For example, they engage them in conversations and encourage them to recall events and experiences in their lives.Children are creative and imaginative. For example, when making reindeer cards, they choose colour for a purpose and build on their pencil control as they carefully colour within the lines.

Children also enjoy playing with dolls and superhero figures.Staff help children to prepare for modern life in Britain. They talk about being respectful of people's different lifestyles and celebrate cultural festivals.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff place a strong emphasis on the children's safety and well-being. They carry out suitable risk assessments of the areas used by the children.

Staff give clear explanations to help children learn to recognise and manage potential hazards. For instance, on the way from school to the club, children learn about road safety. Staff are deployed effectively.

They are vigilant when supervising the children.The manager has improved the staff's knowledge of safeguarding practice. Staff recognise possible signs of abuse and neglect.

They know about legislation to protect vulnerable children from harm. The manager follows safe recruitment procedures to help ensure the suitability of staff. Staff know the procedure to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare or the conduct of a colleague.

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