Kids Activity World

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are safe and happy at this friendly club. As they walk to the club after a busy day in school, they cheerfully talk with their friends and with the staff. Children adapt well to changes in routines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as washing their hands on arrival.

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and provide them with encouragement and gentle reminders. They build positive relationships with children and spend time getting to know them. This helps to support children during the initial settling-in period, and for the duration of their time at the club.

The atmosphere buzzes with children's ...laughter and chatter as they engage in their chosen activities. Children show positive attitudes towards their play. They share toys remarkably well.

For example, children explain how they take turns with the games console after completing each 'level, which is about every 10 minutes'. They show good concentration when they play with small toys. Children use their small-muscle skills while colouring in Diwali pictures and while making drawings following their own ideas.

They comment that they 'like painting' and 'it helps people who are creative'. Children practise their hand-to-eye coordination as they throw magnetic darts onto the dartboard.

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

Leaders explain that their focus is for the club to be a 'home away from home' and like a 'second family' for children, bridging the gap between school and home.

They seek the views of staff, parents and children to inform the self-evaluation of the club. Leaders use this information to identify ways to further improve, such as thinking of different creative activities for the children.Staff provide children with experiences that complement their learning in school.

For example, children make poppies by cutting paper plates using scissors and decorating them red with sponges. They discuss how poppies help us to remember the 'people who fought for our country'. Children practise their counting and number recognition skills, such as by keeping a record of how many goals they score while playing table-top football.

Children learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others. This helps them to develop understanding, acceptance and respect for other people. Children show the inspector items that they have purchased from school to raise money for charity.

They understand that fundraising helps others who are less fortunate than themselves, such as 'people who are poorly or have less money'.Children demonstrate good behaviour. They are curious and polite when they speak to the inspector and ask him about his identification badge.

Children confidently explain how to play pool, commenting that, 'if you hit the black ball in, it ends the game'. They say that they enjoy the club because their 'friends come, and there's a lot of games to play'. Children show kindness towards their peers.

For example, older children play with the younger children and say that they are 'teaching them how to play' and helping them to feel settled while at the club.Care practices are effective. Staff provide children with healthy and nutritious foods.

Children have access to fresh water, which they can pour into cups if they are thirsty. Staff promote children's growing independence, such as by encouraging them to hang their own coats up and to use the toilet by themselves.Leaders understand the importance of partnership working.

The club has links with the local school, and leaders agree that strengthening this partnership will help to further enhance children's continuity of care. Parents report that their children are 'really happy and enjoy their time' at the club. They value the communication that they receive verbally from staff.

Parents comment that staff are 'proactive' to support their children.Staff enjoy their work and say that the club is like 'a little family'. They report that they have high levels of well-being.

A programme of ongoing support and professional development helps staff to continue to improve their practice.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The premises are safe and secure.

Staff are trained in first aid and know how to support children in the event of accidents and emergencies. Robust recruitment procedures ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff complete safeguarding training and keep this knowledge up to date.

They know how to help children to be safe and protected from harm. Staff have a broad understanding of safeguarding issues, such as child sexual exploitation and forced marriage. They know the procedures to follow, should they have any concerns about children's welfare or the conduct of a colleague.