Hanley Crouch Community Association

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive happily at the after-school club. They say that they have fun, and they love attending. Some younger children approach familiar staff for a cuddle when they arrive.

This shows that children feel safe and secure. Children are confident in the routines, as they immediately wash their hands and settle down to a hot meal. They confidently help themselves to a variety of food options.

Older children are supportive to their younger peers, offering to help them with self-serving. Children say that they enjoy the food available; this can be seen as they eat well and help themselves to more food if they remain hungr...y.Staff provide a broad range of play experiences.

They encourage children to share their interests and, where possible, these are incorporated into the planning of activities. Children are excited to share that it is movie night. Some children settle themselves onto bean bags in readiness to watch the film, while others enthusiastically engage in physical games, such as football, in the adjacent hall.

Children are supported to make choices; smaller groups of children are keen to draw and participate in quieter, adult-led creative experiences. Another group of children are content to build with small plastic bricks and engage in imaginary play with small-world figures. This means that children are engaged purposefully as they are supported to follow their own interests.

They behave well and demonstrate that they have secure relationships with staff and with each other.

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

The leadership and management team has worked hard to address actions from the last inspection. They have welcomed support from the local authority.

A focus on staff training and updating safeguarding policies and procedures has strengthened staff's knowledge and confidence in overseeing all aspects of children's welfare.Staff plan exciting creative experiences for the children. They are enthusiastic about helping to make piñatas with papier-mâché.

Children say these are to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Younger children are supported by their older peers who model how to hold the top of the balloon while applying glue. Children persevere and show good levels of concentration.

Children say the best thing about coming to the club is playing with their friends. They also love to play on the bouncy castle, while others say they enjoy going on outings to the local park. Overall, children are independent in choosing their own activities.

They are happy and engaged.Children confidently manage their own personal care. Staff support children to understand the importance of good hygiene and being healthy.

For example, children are reminded why they need to wash their hands before eating. They are encouraged to eat healthy food options as they help themselves to melon and chopped cucumber alongside their hot meal.Parents, on the whole, are happy with the care and attention given to their children.

They say that the difficulty is often getting children to come home, as they have so much fun at the club. Parents report that the flexibility of booking sessions is invaluable as a working parent. They say that the staff team are always available to chat.

Nevertheless, some parents say that they do not know about the healthy food options. This is because these are not included on the menus.Children's behaviour is exemplary.

They play together cooperatively and show respect to staff and to each other. Children are confident to talk about what they would do if someone was being unfriendly. They say that staff listen to them.

Children say that all their friends are kind and caring so they have never had to raise concerns.The staff have all worked in the setting for many years. This provides continuity of care for the children and supports children to feel secure.

Staff say that they are happy in their work and are keen to continue with their professional development. This can be seen in the many training courses they have engaged within since the last inspection, included updating their first-aid skills.Staff have developed good relationships with the schools that children attend.

They communicate with them daily to help ensure that children's individual needs are met. Leaders also work closely with parents to support transitions for those children who are due to move on to secondary school. This is supported through information evenings and also, where necessary, by guiding parents through the application process.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a secure understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Managers are proactive in working in partnership with parents, schools and safeguarding professionals to help ensure that children are kept safe.

Staff say that recent training has given them confidence in knowing how to manage and follow correct procedures should allegations be raised about a member of staff. Children say that they feel safe at the club; they are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Staff continually monitor the premises so that any potential risks in the environment are minimised or removed.

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