Jousters at Wood End

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive happily at the popular club and they are greeted warmly by friendly staff. Children are excited to find out what activities are on offer to them.

They are eager to play outside and staff give children sustained amounts of time to engage in active play. For example, children play football, use balancing equipment and ride scooters. Staff supervise children very well and make sure they are kept safe.

For example, they remind them to wear their helmets as they speedily ride scooters around a track.Children enjoy creative activities, such as box modelling, drawing and colouring pictures. They demonstrate good t...hinking skills as they plan what they are going to make.

Children work out solutions to problems they encounter. For example, they find alternative ways of cutting strong cardboard boxes when scissors do not work. They are pleased when they succeed and are keen to show others how they completed their tasks.

Children also enjoy quieter activities, such as having space to sit and read books they bring from home. Children's behaviour is very good; they listen to, and follow, instructions well and are kind to their friends.

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

Many children attend the club throughout all of their primary school years.

Staff get to know children very well and foster close relationships with them. Children with medical needs are supported extremely well. Staff support them to manage their own needs, as well as undertaking training to increase their own knowledge and skills.

The staff team is well established and turnover is low. The provider has strong recruitment procedures in place. This helps to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

Induction procedures are good and result in new staff having a clear understanding of safeguarding and health and safety procedures.Staff provide a relaxed environment, with a wide range of stimulating activities that are of interest to children. Staff deploy themselves well across the rooms and outside areas.

They are able to constantly communicate with staff in other areas through the use of walkie-talkies. This adds to the safe and effective organisation of the club.Children are actively encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles.

For example, staff provide healthy snacks and encourage parents to provide nutritious packed lunches. Children thoroughly enjoy playing on bouncy castles and talk about the effect exercise has on their bodies. For example, they say they are out of breath and hot and they know a drink of water will be of benefit to them.

Staff receive regular coaching and supervision from the manager and provider, who actively look at ways they can support staff's well-being. This results in a dedicated and motivated team. Staff have opportunities to access many different training courses to help them to further develop their knowledge and skills.

Parents speak positively about the club and staff. They say their children are excited to attend and look forward to what activities will be available to them. Parents say knowing children are having fun and feel safe at the club gives them peace of mind.

Partnerships with the host school are strong and effective. The manager knows that she can talk confidentially to the headteacher or the school's safeguarding lead, for example if there were ever any concerns about children's well-being or safety.Managers and staff evaluate the service they provide effectively and look for ways to improve.

They are currently reflecting on environmental issues, such as reducing the use of plastic and the carbon footprint of the food they provide.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Managers and staff have a thorough understanding of the possible signs of abuse.

They know how to swiftly make referrals both within the setting and to relevant agencies. Staff receive regular training to keep their knowledge of the procedures to follow up to date. Written policies and procedures are easily available and a staff member who is trained to lead safeguarding is always present.

Staff make daily checks of the areas used by the children to make sure they can play safely. Most staff hold a paediatric first-aid qualification. Accidents are dealt with effectively, and systems for storing and giving medication to children are secure.

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