Holmesdale Kids Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are eager to arrive at this relaxed and welcoming club. They are enthusiastically welcomed by staff as they talk about their day. Children are thrilled to see their friends as they hug one another as they arrive.

Children follow routines well. Older children independently hang up their belongings before assisting younger children to achieve this. Staff listen to children's views and consider these when they plan daily activities.

For example, children show an interest in hairdressing. As a result, staff set up a hairdressing station for children to use and develop their imaginative play skills. Staff have high exp...ectations for children's behaviour.

Children respond quickly to staff instructions. For instance, when staff provide opportunities to go outside, children quickly stop what they are doing and tidy away. Staff praise children's positive behaviour and good manners, complimenting them when they say, 'excuse me' and 'thank you'.

Children are happy and smile as they enjoy spending time outside in the playground of the host school. Staff provide a range of activities for children to take part in. Children play well together as they take part in team games.

For example, older children are physically active as they run around playing football, and others take turns developing their hand-eye coordination as they play with the bats and ball. Children are extremely happy at this club.

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

Staff develop positive relationships with the teachers at the host school.

They find out what children are learning about during the school day and look at ways to complement this learning in the club. For example, when children learn about pirates, staff plan a range of activities to follow this theme. This includes reading pirate stories and talking to children about what they know about pirates.

Children pretend to be pirates when they play with their friends.Children have access to fresh drinking water throughout their time at the club. Staff talk to children about how this will keep them hydrated.

Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks, including fresh fruits and yoghurts, contributing to a healthy diet. However, staff do not yet support children to understand the importance of oral hygiene and how this can contribute to being healthy.Staff provide opportunities for children to recognise and talk about feelings.

For example, staff implement a feelings barometer that encourages children to identify how they are feeling that day. Children add their names to the chart to share feelings with friends and staff, such as happy, excited, tired or mad.Staff encourage children to be independent.

For example, children pour their drinks and put on their coats. Staff support younger children's growing independence well. For example, staff model how to pinch the wrapper and provide encouragement for children as they persevere in opening their snack packets.

Staff have strategies in place to reward children's positive behaviour. They use a reward jar to help children understand that positive behaviour is desired and rewarded. Children receive smiley face counters for listening, following instructions and working together as a team.

Once the jar is full, staff reward children with a special treat which the children choose.Staff explain they feel supported by the committee and management team. The management team complete regular supervisions to review staff performance and offers a range of training courses to support staff development and improve outcomes for children.

Staff work well with parents. Parents appreciate the feedback they receive as they collect their children. Parents explain that the staff team are welcoming and have developed secure bonds with children.

They comment positively about the club and are happy that their children are settled.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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