Junior Adventures Group @ St Nicolas OX14

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy the time they spend at this welcoming and friendly club. They arrive eagerly and quickly settle into the routines.

They form friendships and are happy and secure. Children play well together in groups and sit sociably together during snack time. Their voices are valued.

Staff seek their opinions through the use of a 'wish list' book, where children can express their ideas. Staff respond positively to children's ideas and use their suggestions to plan fun and exciting activities. For example, having made treasure maps, children are inspired to go in search of buried treasure in the playground.

Resour...ces and activities are age appropriate, fun and well planned. Children are encouraged to develop high levels of independence and make their own choices about their play. Staff expect children to sign out toys and books so that they learn to take responsibility and share the equipment.

They give children plenty of praise and encouragement for their achievements. This helps to raise children's confidence and self-esteem. Children behave well and staff are consistent in their approach to managing their behaviour.

Children listen to instructions and respond appropriately to clear guidance. They happily share, take turns and involve others in their games.

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

Children are encouraged to develop a good understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

They wash their hands before eating and make up their own snacks from the buffet provided. This builds effectively on their self-help skills. Staff are vigilant about supporting children with allergies.

Snack time is a sociable, positive experience for children. Staff engage children in conversation and listen with interest to what children have to say.Staff are good role models and work well together to ensure that children have positive experiences at the club.

They gain a good understanding of children's likes and interests. Staff use this information to plan activities children will enjoy, such as daily craft activities and quiet times to sit and read books or complete homework.Children enjoy a range of activities that support their learning and development.

Younger children use their imaginations as they hunt for treasure, and are delighted when they find gold. As a group, they cooperate when they draw around each other and colour in the space they have made. However, during activities with older children staff do not always fully involve the youngest children.

Partnership work with the host school is well established. Staff gather information from the school to ensure that all children's needs are met. This also helps to ensure continuity in children's care and learning between the school and the club.

There is an effective key-person system in place.The leadership team has ensured that the manager and staff team have completed mandatory training. Staff also have access to a range of professional development opportunities to extend and enhance their skills.

Staff are supported by ongoing supervision and appraisal, which helps them to manage their responsibilities effectively. New staff are well supported in their roles.Staff promote successful communication with parents to share information about children's well-being.

Parents express how satisfied they are with the club. They say that their children are happy, safe and enjoy attending.Leaders and staff regularly reflect and evaluate the service they provide.

The views of parents, children and staff are taken into consideration. For example, the manager has successfully introduced systems to seek children's ideas for improving the club, such as the 'wish list' book.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure that all staff have a good understanding of their responsibilities regarding child protection. They attend regular child protection training and know where to report any concerns about children's safety or welfare. Staff supervise children effectively at all times, as deployment of staff by the manager is well managed.

Additionally, staff are vigilant with regard to children's safety inside and outside the building. For example, young children are collected and brought to the setting by club staff. This helps to keep children safe.

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