Hilldale Breakfast And After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and settled at this warm and welcoming club. Children benefit from a highly creative and stimulating environment, where they learn to express their ideas and opinions.

They look forward to continuing with art and craft activities that they started in previous sessions. Children know that the staff treat their creations with respect. Staff ensure that unfinished projects are accessible whenever children attend.

Children confidently chat about their day with their friends and staff who play alongside them. They happily share jokes and stories, displaying confidence in their individuality. Children consiste...ntly demonstrate that they feel very safe and happy.

Children's behaviour is very good. Staff are excellent role models, who demonstrate consistently kind and considerate behaviour. Children learn to play cooperatively with other children of all ages.

Where children are still learning how to negotiate situations, staff quickly offer support and teach children how to discuss and resolve any disagreements. Children enjoy being helpful and clear up after they have had their snack without prompting. Parents are greeted warmly by staff when they collect their children.

They say that staff are friendly and that their children enjoy coming to the club.

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

Since the last inspection, there have been changes in the leadership and management of the club. Leaders and managers have worked diligently, with the support of the local authority, to improve their club.

Staff have received training that has improved their knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe from harm. A member of staff has been designated as lead for safeguarding and has received training appropriate to her role. Leaders and managers now have an accurate understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

They have implemented a new system of staff supervision and staff report that they feel more confident and supported in their roles.Leaders and managers have reviewed their snack time routines. Although these have not changed, staff now successfully ensure that children wash their hands before eating.

Children benefit from a healthy snack when they arrive, which always includes fruit. They have constant access to fresh water.Leaders and managers have strengthened the relationship with the host school.

They now have regular, scheduled meetings with the headteacher. They exchange relevant information about children during these meetings, such as any emerging concerns. Staff discuss with teachers any information that they need to pass on to parents.

This supports effective communication between all of those involved in the children's well-being.Staff now understand the importance of checking whether children are receiving any additional support in school. They know that children will benefit from a shared approach to behaviour management and learning.

Leaders and managers are keen to continue to build on their relationships with school staff. There are plans in place to work even more closely with the school.Children learn that their creativity and contributions are important.

For instance, children make their own picture books, drawing creatures from their imagination. Other children create fantastic vehicles using the always available construction equipment. Staff encourage them to reflect on, and discuss, their creations as they skilfully question and comment.

Children have access to books that interest them. Young children ask for favourite books, which staff discuss with them. Children build on their speaking and listening skills consistently, as staff always take time to listen carefully to their views and extend conversations.

Children demonstrate that they are very confident communicators in this language-rich environment.Children have access to an outdoor play space, where they can be physically active if they choose. They develop their small muscles by engaging in lots of activities, such as making pom-poms and other arts and crafts.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Leaders and managers have a committed approach to safeguarding. All staff have undertaken recent safeguarding training and have a good understanding of the signs that a child may be at risk of harm, including wider issues such as county lines and grooming.

Although they now work closely with the school on safeguarding matters, staff know that they must act according to their own procedures to safeguard a child in their care. The designated safeguarding lead reviews policies and procedures to ensure that they contribute to children's safety. All staff understand how to raise concerns about anyone working with children and local safeguarding referral pathways.

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