Helping Hands

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements All children receive a warm welcome at this fun and well-planned provision. They develop secure relationships with staff and their peers and speak enthusiastically about their time at the club. Children choose from a wide range of resources, games and activities and enjoy socialising with their friends.

For example, they play table-top games, challenge each other to 'giant connect four' and show increasing enthusiasm as they learn how to make salt dough. Children are well behaved and responsible. They engage in play across the age groups and show care and concern for each other.

Children have ongoing opportunities to acces...s the secure and well-supervised outdoor environment. They chat happily together as they chalk pictures of their family onto the paving and take part in group games such as 'hide and seek'.Children have a strong sense of belonging and move seamlessly and confidently between the club and the school.

They take ownership of the club and are involved in decision-making, which helps their personal development. For example, children have worked with staff to compile the club menu and regularly contribute ideas for activities and resources.

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

Children are confident and self-assured.

They talk to visitors about which activities they enjoy at the club and proudly show off the pictures they have drawn. Staff capture children's views about the resources and activities available and use this information to develop the provision on offer.Staff are well trained, enthusiastic and work effectively as a team.

They benefit from ongoing support and coaching which helps them to continue to develop their skills and knowledge.Children are encouraged to develop their independence and make healthy choices. For example, they choose their own snacks from the daily menu, place their orders at the kitchen hatch, collect their own utensils and carry their food to the table.

Staff engage well with children of all ages and work effectively to ensure that children's time in the club is fun and exciting. They show a genuine interest in children's well-being. For example, they spend time talking to children about their day at school as they greet them.

Staff speak to parents at the beginning and end of each session. They ensure that messages are clearly communicated between home and the school, which helps children to move smoothly between the provisions.Strong working relationships with the school have a positive effect on children.

Staff undertake regular observations of children and share information about their progress with teachers, which contributes to their learning journey in school.Feedback is sought from parents and children who attend the setting. Parents speak positively about the setting and praise the 'flexible and caring' service provided.

They say their children enjoy attending and are 'safe and happy' at the setting. Children speak fondly about staff members and say that they enjoy the range of activities of offer.Children's behaviour is good.

Older children are caring towards younger children, including them in play and helping to ensure that they are safe. Children play collaboratively, take turns and learn to share resources. Staff offer ongoing praise and encouragement.

This helps to support children's developing self-esteem.The providers make frequent visits to the provision and have a strong input into the overall management and development. They work closely with the manager and staff team to assess the quality of the provision, identify training opportunities and liaise with the school to ensure that everything is running smoothly.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff carefully monitor the areas of the school used by the club to ensure that they remain safe and secure. They vigilantly supervise young children as they visit the toilets located in another area of the school.

All staff have completed safeguarding training and have a good knowledge of the local authority procedures for reporting concerns about children. They understand their responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm and are aware of wider safeguarding issues such as female genital mutilation and radicalisation. The provider has a robust recruitment policy and carefully monitors the suitability of new and existing staff.

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