Junior Club of Crosby

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements The provider, manager and staff have worked diligently to meet the actions raised at the previous inspection.

They have reflected on practice and made the necessary improvements. Parents are highly complimentary about the staff and the club in general. They appreciate the hard work and dedication shown to their children, but also to themselves.

In the main, staff create a fun and exciting environment for the children. Staff carefully consider children's likes and interests in planning the environments. As such, children cheerfully enter the club, are eager to find their friends and settle to play.

Staff build stro...ng bonds with children who attend the club. Children actively seek out staff and invite them into their play. For example, children enjoy a competitive game of pool with the staff.

Younger children patiently wait their turn and are helped by the staff to understand the rules of the game. Older children show care and kindness as they offer support to younger children. For example, they show them how to hold the cue correctly.

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and conduct. They have consulted with the children to formulate new rules and codes of conduct while at the club. For example, when staff feel the noise level in the room is becoming too high they say, 'macaroni cheese'.

On hearing this phrase, children immediately stop what they are doing and say, 'All freeze'. Children then listen intently to the staff's instructions and follow them.

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

Leadership and oversight of the club are strong.

The provider works hands-on in the club and provides a good level of support to the manager. The manager provides staff with regular coaching and supervision sessions. As a result, all staff, including those who may work on a temporary basis, report they are happy in their work and their interactions with children are positive.

All staff access mandatory training, such as safeguarding and hold a paediatric first-aid qualification. There are robust procedures in place for the safe collection of children from the host school. These further ensure children's safety and well-being.

Staff capture children's likes and interests when planning the environments and some activities. This supports children to remain focused and engaged. For example, children use their creativity and critical thinking skills to construct a den out of connectable rubber tiles.

Staff provide an area for children to practise their reading and do homework if they wish to. However, they do not always know what children are learning in school, or know what they need to learn next. This means that, at times, some activities and interactions do not further complement and extend children's learning.

Partnerships with parents and the host school are strong. The provider and staff regularly communicate with children's class teachers. Good systems are in place for sharing information and messages from school with parents.

Communications with parents are much improved. Staff make excellent use of an online app, emails and face-to-face chats to ensure parents are kept up to date with information about their child and also about what is happening in the club.Staff in the club support children to gain an appreciation of other cultures and beliefs beyond their own.

This supports children to gain a wider understanding of life in modern Britain.Staff are excellent role models to children. When needed, they gently and calmly remind children of the club rules.

As a result, children behave well and show kindness and empathy to their friends. For example, children patiently observe the 'ten-minute rule' to have a turn on the game console.Food provided for children is healthy and meets their unique dietary requirements.

Staff provide lots of opportunities for children to play outdoors and be physically active. This supports children to develop a positive attitude to leading a healthy lifestyle.Staff provide lots of encouragement for children to do things for themselves.

For example, children serve themselves snacks and help themselves to a drink from the water station. Children follow the rules when eating very carefully. For example, they know if they want to eat a piece of fruit, then they must sit at the table.

This supports children's growing independence and understanding of keeping themselves safe.

Safeguarding

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