High Hopes Out of School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are warmly welcomed into the club by staff. Some children greet staff with a hug, demonstrating that they have close attachments with caring adults. New children are helped to settle in quickly.

For example, they are introduced to a buddy who helps them learn what to do at the club and encourages them to join in with activities. Children enjoy a wide range of exciting activities and are very happy to attend the club. Staff involve children when planning and ensure that activities meet their different interests.

For example, children requested to make junk models. They enthusiastically join in when a variety of jun...k materials are provided by staff and work together to build a space rocket. They are happy to display it in the club when they finish it.

Children form strong friendships and enjoy one another's company. Activities help them learn about how to be kind to each other. For example, children are encouraged to write down words that describe being kind.

They suggest words such as helpful, grateful and patient. There is a nice, calm atmosphere in the club. Children become deeply engaged in their chosen play and activities.

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

Since the last inspection the provider has been monitoring staff practice. She is able to identify good practice and the quality of children's learning in the activities. She gives guidance on what can be improved.

Regular supervision meetings have been introduced with staff. Staff have taken the opportunity to take part in a wide range of training and development opportunities. This has all improved the quality of the club.

The provider has used self-evaluation to inform priorities and set challenging targets for improvement. Staff now have a diary in which they evaluate the activities children have taken part in. This helps them to assess how activities can be improved and helps staff to be confident practitioners.

Children benefit from healthy meals. Staff help them to learn about good nutrition and consult them about what they would like to eat at the club. Children suggest foods, such as soft cheese with bagels, which is what they have on the day of the inspection.

Tasting sessions help children to try new foods. For example, they try kiwi, passion fruit and plums, and then describe what these taste like. However, on some occasions children's independence skills are not promoted.

For instance, staff prepare and cut fruit for children, rather than children doing it for themselves.Children thoroughly enjoy craft activities. They like to experiment to see how things work.

For example, they add glue, glitter and a conker to an empty milk bottle and shake it up. They say that when the glue dries the glitter will show through. Staff are on hand to provide resources that children request during these activities.

However, they do not always notice when young children need guidance on how to hold scissors the right way for cutting.Children have opportunities to develop an awareness of the diverse world they live in. For example, children look at different festivals and learn why these are important to the people who celebrate them.

For example, children look at autumn and staff introduce the festival of Diwali. They link this festival of lights to bonfire night and children take part in painting activities using different media to represent fireworks.Parents report their satisfaction with the care their children receive.

They speak of the friendly staff and the good communication they receive. They say their children love their time at the club and always want to stay a bit longer.Staff involve parents in their children's learning.

For example, staff have shared family photos with children relating to family members being part of the Battle of the Somme during the First World War. This has helped children to understand and develop an appreciation for Remembrance Day. Staff have asked parents to share photos from home that will help children to tell a story they relate to.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The provider, manager and staff confidently explain the procedures they would follow if they were concerned about a child. They are able to give examples of signs of abuse.

They also have knowledge of whistle-blowing and know that if concerns are not taken seriously, it is their responsibility to report them. Since the last inspection they have made sure that their safeguarding training is up to date, particularly in relation to the 'Prevent' duty. The club is safe and secure.

Staff carry out risk assessments before children's arrival to make sure there are no hazards. Organisation of the setting is good. Staff deploy themselves well and provide good levels of supervision to help keep children safe.

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