Just kidding After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff greet children warmly with smiles as they collect them from a local primary school. This helps children to settle quickly and prepare to walk the short distance to the after-school club. Children enjoy their time at the club, as staff plan a wide variety of activities to help them to stay engaged.

For instance, children have access to an outdoor grassed play area. They play football, run and chase each other. Children laugh excitedly as staff encourage them to play cooperatively together.

Staff also provide activities inside and children are free to move between playing indoors and outside. Children are keen to join ...in with the interesting and varied activities on offer. Staff are good role models for children.

They are polite, warm and friendly. Staff skilfully adapt their levels of support and expectations to each child's age. This helps children to settle well.

Staff are skilled in observing children and identifying any child who becomes distressed or over tired. Children are soon engaged in group play. Staff support children to share resources and confidently manage minor disagreements with ease.

Staff are very attentive to children. They listen, ask questions and play with children without intruding on their games. Children's choices and opinions are valued and respected.

Children freely change or adapt activities as their play or conversations develop.

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

Staff safely escort children to the club after their school day is finished. Staff count children several times during the journey and children wear safety vests, so that they are easily identified.

Children arriving from the local school learn to walk safely to the club.Children confidently talk about their experiences at the club and what they enjoy most. For example, children say that they look forward to coming to see their friends and that there is always lots to do.

This helps children's personal and social development and supports them to build relationships with a variety of children and adults.Parents speak very highly of the club and all the staff. They comment that their children often do not want to leave at the end of the session.

Parents also comment that staff are very good at sharing information about their child and any messages that have been given by the school. Parents value the flexibility that the club provides and regularly ask for recipes based on children's requests.Staff have a good understanding of the important role they play after children have been to school and recognise they may be tired, particularly the youngest children.

They are aware of quiet or less-confident children and ensure that children are included or that staff sit with children and check in with them regularly.Leaders and staff work well together as a team. They have a consistent approach with the club's rules for children, and encourage and remind children of them when necessary.

Staff praise and support children and are warm towards them. This helps children to feel safe and secure.Staff know children well.

Children have a designated key person to help ensure that their well-being, safety and interests are met. These strong relationships help to develop children's self-esteem and confidence.The manager prioritises staff's professional development.

She ensures that staff have access to online training to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. The manager understands the value of providing learning opportunities and of training an apprentice in the club.Staff work hard to meet the individual needs of children.

They plan activities and healthy food in conjunction with children, so that children can express their views and options. Children feel empowered to talk to staff, knowing that they are being listened to.Children have opportunities to play outside in the fresh air, regardless of the weather.

Children chase each other and play with the balls. This helps to promote their physical development and well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders and staff have attended online safeguarding training. They are able to identify the signs of abuse and know what actions to take if they are concerned about a child or a member of staff. Leaders ensure that contact numbers are readily available for staff to make referrals or to seek advice and support.

Staff are confident in who they can talk to within the team that can help and support them with regard to safeguarding issues. Staff understand their responsibilities in keeping children safe and also in reporting accidents and incidents to parents. Staff are well deployed inside and outside to ensure that children are kept safe at all times.