Ilchester Schools Out

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive happily to the club and are keen to join in with the activities on offer.

Staff know the children well and provide a warm and welcoming environment. They give them lots of praise and encouragement, which boosts their confidence and self-esteem. Children of all ages play together well.

They are highly imaginative as they make models from construction. They dress up and take on different roles in pretend play and enjoy designing and making things.Children's behaviour is good.

They help to decide the rules of the club and concentrate for sustained periods while at activities, taking turns and sharing ...well. Children benefit from staff's strong links with the school. Staff use effective communication.

This helps them to get to know the children well and provide them with the support they need.Children develop an understanding about their health and well-being as they follow good hygiene routines. However, staff do not always give children a choice of snack, to include a healthy option.

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

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the club and in the care of the nurturing staff. They are happy and settled. They engage in a wide range of activities which complement their day at school.

Consequently, they develop a positive attitude and show pride in their achievements.Children are confident and articulate communicators. They converse regularly with staff and their peers, sharing their news and play ideas.

They develop strong friendships and are emotionally secure.Children are keen to involve staff in their play. For example, staff have their leg bandaged or their temperature taken by the children as they role-play hospitals.

Children play cooperatively as they take on the role of the doctor or patient, acting out scenarios in the hospital in their pretend play.Children have many opportunities to be creative. They enjoy experimenting with water beads and pipettes as they explore what happens as they fill test tubes.

They have opportunities to partake in cooking activities or develop their physical skills outside. Staff enhance children's experience further by inviting people into the setting to talk to the children. For example, the local police community support officer spoke to the children about road safety.

Staff are good role models and have clear expectations for children's behaviour. As a result, there is a clear mutual respect between the staff and children. Children are polite and well mannered.

They are kind and respectful to the staff and each other. The way in which they conduct themselves contributes to the calm environment and welcoming atmosphere.Staff effectively evaluate their practice together.

They have made significant improvements to the provision since the last inspection. They have improved their risk assessments, to particularly ensure that all equipment the children use is appropriate and safe. They complete all necessary records and store them confidentially.

The premises are now more secure to ensure that unauthorised persons cannot gain access, and that children cannot leave unsupervised.Staff have clear roles and responsibilities to ensure the smooth running of the club. They work together and take it in turns to plan activities based on children's interests.

There is a comprehensive induction for new staff and ongoing training, which prepares them well for working with the children. Staff have increased their knowledge on how to support children's speech and language. They complete training to raise their awareness and develop skills to support children with special education needs and/or disabilities.

Partnerships with parents are strong. Those spoken to on the day of the inspection confirmed that their children like going to the club and enjoy the activities provided. They say that staff go out of their way to be flexible and help their children settle.

They comment on the good communication from staff, which helps them to feel informed and involved.

Safeguarding

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