Happy Times Care Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff receive children from the school and they note any messages for parents, including how the children have been in the day.

Children have fun in the secure and familiar environment. They understand the routine of the session. For example, they know that when they arrive, they hang up their coats and wash their hands before they have snack.

Children then get their snack and sit down with their friends to eat. The atmosphere is calm, friendly and relaxing. Children talk about their day and enjoy catching up with their friends.

Staff sit with the children, giving opportunities for them to discuss anything if they... need to.Children are happy to be at the club. They tell the inspector that they enjoy playing with their friends.

They play happily with their peers and staff alike. The children have access to the school playground. Outdoors, they can enjoy running around.

The younger children have a separate play area from the older ones. This allows the older children to play football and run around without fear of knocking other children over. Younger children use their physical skills as they climb on the climbing frame and run around with their peers.

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

Managers are well experienced and effective in their role. Some of the staff have worked together for many years. They work well as a team and support each other.

The manager provides staff with supervision. Staff have the opportunity to attend courses and keep their professional development up to date. Some staff also work within the school.

This allows the children to have some familiarity and consistency of care.The strong links with the school ensures that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported by the club. Staff work with the school and parents to ensure that the children are well cared for and there is consistency between them.

Parents are very happy with the setting. The say that it is of real benefit to working parents and are very grateful it is there. They feel confident that their children are getting good care, and that messages are being passed on with the school.

They say that staff are always happy and communicate well with them. Parents like that the club is flexible and staff are approachable.As the rooms are also used by the school in the day, children do not have independent access to games and activities.

However, the staff always give the children the choice of what they want to play with. Some children decide on a board game that features a toy horse and want staff to join in. They carefully use their hand-to-eye coordination to put items on the horse.

Children giggle and squeal as the horse bucks, sending the objects everywhere. Other children choose to sit quietly and colour. Children have the opportunity to sit peacefully and complete their homework if they wish to.

During the holidays, the club provides full-day care. Staff liaise with parents and children to see what activities they want them to organise. They go to the local park, bowling alley and cinema.

They explore the local area with the range of facilities it offers. The holiday club is valuable to parents and they are keen to express its importance to them.Staff are good role models for children's behaviour.

Staff have high expectations of children and encourage them to use manners and think of others. The children behave very well. They are calm and respectful to each other throughout the session.

Children tidy up after themselves. For example, after snack, the children put their wrappers in the bin without being prompted. Staff give children lots of praise.

Children understand the importance of healthy lifestyles. They discuss their lunches and snack with the staff. Children bring their snack from home.

The club offers a light snack as well, for those who forget or are particularly hungry.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Managers and staff understand the signs and symptoms of abuse.

They know who to contact and the procedures to follow should they suspect that a child is at risk of harm. They also understand who to contact should there be an allegation made against a staff member. Safe recruitment procedures are in place to ensure that adults who work with children are safe to do so.

The staff undertake regular safeguarding training and have current paediatric first-aid certificates. Staff carry out risk assessments on arrival and throughout the session. This all helps to ensure that children are safe and secure.

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