Kingfisher Buddies Bramhope

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive happily at the club and are greeted by friendly staff. They know the routine well and put their belongings away before helping themselves to a drink and snack.

There is an array of activities on offer so that children of all ages find something that they like to do. For example, children enjoy drawing and use scissors and tape to join materials together. They demonstrate good hand-to-eye coordination as they thread intricate beads onto string to make jewellery.

Staff are supportive and interact positively to help children build on their existing skills. For instance, they join in with football games to supp...ort children to understand the rules and play cooperatively together. Children form strong bonds with the caring staff.

They cuddle up to familiar staff to look at books and enjoy retelling stories in their own words. Older children are considerate and show sensitivity as they help younger children to join in with their games. Staff stay close by to offer their support and ensure that children are safe.

Children know what is expected of them because staff involve them in the setting of club rules. They respond positively to staff and behave well.

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

Staff work effectively with the host school to promote continuity in children's learning and care.

For example, they relay messages between parents and teachers each day. Staff regularly meet with teaching staff to find out about children's learning at school and identify any areas that they need support in. They use this information well to meet the needs of children and complement their learning through activities in the club.

Children are independent and excitedly follow their interests, choosing resources to support their play. They are resourceful and play imaginatively, pretending to be princesses and teachers. Children put on dressing-up clothes and manage some fastenings, but are confident to ask staff for help when needed.

Staff listen to children's ideas and offer suggestions to help them to develop their storylines.Staff speak clearly and model good conversational skills. They listen with interest as children talk about their day at school.

Staff ask a good range of questions to help children to express their thoughts and ideas. They support children to count and identify shapes to build on their mathematical skills. However, sometimes, staff are too quick to help children and do not provide the best opportunities for children to solve problems independently.

Children are respectful and demonstrate good manners. They develop firm friendships with other children and play harmoniously together. The key-person system is implemented well to help children to settle in quickly.

Staff know children well. Children are self assured and motivated to join in with activities. They confidently talk about the things they like to do and say that they enjoy their time at the club.

Children are energetic and benefit from daily opportunities to play outdoors. They demonstrate good physical skills as they climb apparatus in the hall, under the watchful eye of staff. However, sometimes, noise levels are high in the hall, which makes it difficult for children to fully concentrate on quieter activities.

The dedicated manager and her team meet regularly to evaluate their practice. They encourage parents and children to provide feedback through satisfaction questionnaires and forums. This helps to ensure that planned developments are relevant.

Parents are very happy with the club. They comment that staff are 'fantastic' and say that children are often reluctant to leave at the end of the session.Children are offered a selection of nutritious food to endorse healthy eating habits.

They follow good hygiene routines and spontaneously wash their hands before sitting at the table.The manager conducts regular supervision meetings with staff to monitor their practice and provides them with support and guidance. She observes staff as they engage with children and provides critical feedback to help strengthen their interactions.

Annual appraisals help staff to reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Stringent recruitment procedures ensure that staff are suitably checked and vetted.

The manager and staff are trained well in child protection procedures. They recognise the signs of abuse and are alert to wider safeguarding issues. Staff know what action to take if they have any concerns about children's welfare.

The premises are safe and security is good. Children rehearse evacuation procedures and know what to do if the fire alarm sounds. Policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and accurate records are maintained to help safeguard children.