Kids Planet and Penketh Primary After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive happily into this fun and vibrant club. The warm and caring staff welcome them into the hall and children eagerly tell them about their day at school. They confidently choose what they want to play with from a variety of activities on offer.

Staff expertly plan play opportunities that reflect children's current interests. For example, older children design and create bracelets, in preparation for the school fair. Younger children design and colour in football shirts, as they talk about their favourite football team.

This helps to keep children motivated and engaged. Staff get to know children extremely well.... They spend time engaging in conversations about their interests and praise them for their achievements.

Children beam with pride as they show staff what they have made or what they can do. For example, children show staff bracelets they have made using colourful beads and letters of their name. This helps to support children to feel safe and emotionally secure.

Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour and act as positive role models. Children of all ages play happily together. They are kind and considerate to others.

For example, older children patiently explain to younger children that they need to twist the handle on the football table to kick the ball. This helps children to learn from each other and develop positive relationships.

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

The experienced and dedicated manager carefully plans the environment to meet the needs of all children.

Activities are seamlessly planned around children's interests. This ensures children are having fun and are deeply engaged. For example, older children enjoy making a large game of 'four in a row'.

They carefully cut out large circles and use masking tape to make a grid on the floor. This helps children to have a positive attitude and develop confidence.There is a range of healthy food options for the children to enjoy for snack.

For example, children enjoy sandwiches with a variety of fillings. Fresh fruit and water are available at all times, which children confidently help themselves to. This supports children's independence skills and helps them to make healthy choices.

Parents say that children enjoy their time at the club. They comment that they like the range of activities on offer and praise the 'friendly staff'. Parents have the opportunity to fill out regular questionnaires to give feedback.

This helps to develop a strong parent partnership.Children develop very strong bonds with the staff in the club. They confidently ask for activities that they would like to do and staff swiftly provide them with the resources.

Staff continuously join in with children's games. For example, children cheer with delight as staff join in doing cartwheels and forward rolls. This helps children to build positive relationships with children and staff.

Staff well-being is held in high regard. The manager and the wider leadership team ensure staff feel valued, which creates a happy environment for children. The manager and staff regularly reflect on practice, to ensure continuous improvements.

Staff benefit from a thorough induction and they have many opportunities to access training, to continually enhance their knowledge and skills. As a result, staff morale is high and they enjoy working at the club.Staff arrange opportunities for children to be physically active, both indoors and outdoors.

For example, older children spend time planning teams to play football in the playground, while other children enjoy joining in with yoga poses. This helps children to keep active and develop the use of their large muscles.Staff have a positive working relationship with the school.

They find out about special events and what the children are learning about in their classes. Staff pass on important messages from teachers to parents. This helps to support children with continuity of care.

Staff complete thorough risk assessments to make sure both the indoor and outdoor areas are safe. Children know the rules of the club and follow these well. For example, children ask for mats on the floor so that they can practise gymnastic moves safely.

Consequently, children have a good understanding of keeping themselves safe during their time in the club.

Safeguarding

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

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