Hungry Minds Childcare After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children eagerly find the club staff after school and tell them about their school day. Children chatter excitedly to staff as they walk from school to the club, sharing their news.

Staff listen attentively to what children say and help them feel valued. Children anticipate what they will do at the club. They clearly know the club routines and safely store their belongings before going to explore.

Children benefit from a good variety of resources that staff set up attractively. Children have quiet places to relax in and spaces to play energetically. They settle in quickly and freely choose where to be and what to do.
<...br/>Children behave well. They are motivated and enjoy the challenge of the 'marble jar' reward system the staff have in place at the club. Children eagerly share the news of their special treats for positive behaviour.

Older children play with their younger friends, showing them how to use equipment and resources. Children play cooperatively, such as when they use the parachute to make a train. They tell jokes to staff and share facts they read about in history books.

Children sit peacefully and make jewellery, chatting confidently to staff about their plans. They clearly enjoy their time at the club.

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

The manager plans the club to have a family feel to it, where children develop core values, such as kindness and respect.

She encourages children to believe in themselves and 'have a go.' Children thrive in the care of the warm staff at the club.Staff gather information about children before they start at the club.

They ensure children's special interests and favourite resources are readily available for the first few sessions. This helps children to settle in and feel at ease.Children have plenty of opportunities to be physically active and let off steam after their busy school day.

They play football and use frisbees in turn-taking games. Staff are enthusiastic and play with children, which they clearly enjoy.Children benefit from quiet spaces to relax in.

They have a good variety of books to explore and quieter activities. Staff are sensitive to those children who need time to 'chill out' before they are ready to join in with group activities.Children listen attentively to what staff say and follow the club's rules and boundaries.

They know to wear high-visibility jackets on the walk from school and to ask to play outdoors. Children behave positively.Children's voices and opinions are highly valued.

The manager involves children in making decisions about their club. She asks them what resources they would like, for example, and what to include on the menu.Children have the freedom to follow their own ideas.

For instance, they make up games with the parachute and balls. Staff help children take turns and listen to one another as they play. They are confident communicators.

Children enjoy a home-cooked hot meal at the club, shared socially with their friends. Staff help children learn about good health and hygiene. They wash their hands before eating and talk about their favourite fruits to eat.

Children help to wash up and clear away. They learn useful life skills.Staff complete risk assessments at the club to help keep children safe.

However, these do not identify some hazards to the gates and doors that are, very occasionally, not fastened securely. Children are never unsupervised though, so risks are minimised. The manager is proactive in strengthening risk assessment procedures to ensure all risks are identified and swiftly rectified.

Staff feel happy and supported by the manager to carry out their jobs. They know they can readily approach her for support. Staff are involved in how the club runs and feel their thoughts and ideas matter.

Parents report their children are happy and settled at the club. They say the smooth transition to the club has helped their children ease gently into their school days. Parents say the staff are particularly nurturing, although not all parents know who their children's key person is.

Despite this, parents feel well informed about their children's time at the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager uses a robust staff recruitment system to make sure staff are suitable to work with children.

Staff have a good understanding of their role to keep children safe and promote their well-being at all times. The manager ensures all staff complete regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge current. They know the signs and indicators of possible abuse to be aware of.

Staff understand the reporting procedures to follow if they have concerns about children's welfare. Staff have a good understanding of wider safeguarding issues. For instance, they help to teach children to be safe, such as when online.