Kidz Aloud

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy to attend the club. It operates in a classroom that is used by pupils right up to the end of the school day. Consequently, on arrival the children decide what they want to play with and help staff to set up play activities.

They know that they can choose and select other resources that are easily accessible in their toy cupboard throughout the play session. Some children decide to have a piece of fruit and a drink at the beginning of the session after school. They know that they must wash their hands before they do so.

The atmosphere created by staff is very welcoming. Children behave well and play coope...ratively. They immediately settle and play with their chosen activities, and they interact supportively with each other.

Staff acknowledge positive behaviour with praise, such as when children share, take turns and are being helpful with routine tasks. This helps to boost children's self-confidence and self-esteem. The relationships between staff and children are good.

Younger children happily join in with play that is led by older children. Staff conduct a risk assessment of the school playground and playing field ahead of children using the area for outdoor play. During holiday playscheme periods, the school hall is also available for physical play activities.

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

Partnership working with school staff is good. All staff get to know the children as individuals, and some staff also work in the school during the day and therefore get to know the children well through additional interactions with them. Staff are aware of individual care and learning needs, including those of children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The provider is also the manager, and she and her deputy are qualified and experienced providers of out-of-school club provision. They provide resources and activities that match children's interests and help them to practise the skills they are gaining in school. Staff adopt a relaxed approach and ensure that children make decisions about the time they spend at their club.

Staff place a high priority on promoting children's emotional well-being. Children are happy and confident in the environment and enjoy their time at the club. Staff are interested in the children and encourage them to share news about their school day.

Children are involved in making decisions about the club and the activities they want to take part in. They help to draw up a 'wish list' for play equipment. Staff value children's ideas and take on board their views about the provision.

The provider says that Reception class children settle in well at the beginning of the autumn term. Parents are invited to visit with their child before the child attends for the first time. This helps them to settle in, and the children currently attending are happy and confident.

Children are initially asked to write their names on the front of a booklet that staff use to keep a record of their achievements. Staff then identify how the children's writing skills progress through their Reception year.Staff support children's creativity.

Children can choose from a variety of art and craft activities and construction toys. A current favourite activity is to create bracelets using small beads. While doing so, they practise their handling skills and use their mathematical knowledge to repeat patterns and count the number of rows they have created.

Children use their imagination while constructing with small bricks. Staff encourage children to make their own creations and develop their own ideas.Some children join older children to create a poster.

They work well together, with older children drawing pictures and the younger children carefully colouring them in.Children independently manage their personal needs and understand and adopt healthy habits, such as good hygiene practices.Procedures required for the safe management of the provision, and to ensure that the needs of children are met, are appropriately implemented.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The provider and the deputy manager are the designated leads for safeguarding. All staff keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date.

They know the signs of abuse and neglect and the referral procedures to follow if they have a concern. Staff are aware of their responsibilities to prevent children being drawn into situations that may put them at risk. The school premises, both indoors and outdoors, are safe and secure.

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