Kings Heath Playcare

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff provide a varied range of play experiences for children before and after school, which complements their day at school. Children arrive happy and are confident in this familiar and safe environment. They are eager to take part in planned activities.

For example, staff help children carefully think about the design of the icing they will use to decorate their cakes. Children show sustained levels of concentration as they carefully decorate their cakes and are very proud of their achievements. At snack time, children are equally as motivated as they choose the fillings for their sandwiches.

Staff are attentive and talk... to children about their choices and support them well to use the knives to spread and cut. Children clearly enjoy their interactions with staff and often involve them in their imaginative play. Board games are particularly popular with children and they spend a long time problem-solving as they play.

Children often choose to write, colour and draw in a range of ways because staff make it fun. For example, children delight in making their creations on the paper taped to the floor and others use chalk on the ground. Staff ensure all children benefit from being outdoors in the fresh air as much as possible.

Children use a variety of physical play equipment to test and extend their fitness and skills.

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

Significant progress has been made since the last inspection. There are robust vetting systems in place to ensure committee members are suitable.

All staff are suitably trained and have an up-to-date knowledge of child protection issues. Changes to the organisation of the club means children are supervised at all times. Children benefit from staff that meet their individual needs and organise a wide range of activities for their enjoyment.

There are well-established partnerships with the on-site school the children attend to ensure continuity of care and to promote their welfare. Some of the staff also work at the school so know children and their families well. On drop off and collection, staff talk to the teachers and pass on any important messages about children's care and needs.

The manager has a clear overview of the club. There are effective systems in place for staff to regularly meet to discuss, plan and review the service they offer. Staff benefit from regular staff supervision and well-being meets to ensure they are motivated and clear about their roles and responsibilities.

Staff help children learn about their own and others' customs in a variety of ways. For example, children listen to a variety of cultural music and taste various foods. Staff know about the children's preferences and likes and plan well for them.

However, staff do not give enough thought to how they can make the sports activities more appealing for girls and role play as equally attractive for boys.As a result of COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, parents are not allowed inside and handover happens outdoors. Staff make the time to give them feedback about their child's time at the club and pass on any messages from the school.

The assigned key-person system results in staff working closely with parents to get to know their children to ensure they are happy at the club.Staff promote children's health well and help children understand they need to wash their hands to prevent the spread of infection. Children know exercise is good for their bodies and about the importance of drinking water to keep hydrated.

Children confidently talk about which foods are healthy and good for their health.Promoting children's emotional well-being, independence and social skills is a clear priority. Staff regularly consult with children to find out about what they want and use this information to plan activities.

Staff reinforce the school codes of behaviour to ensure consistency for children. Consequently, children are confident and behave well in this familiar environment.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

All staff are suitably vetted and their ongoing suitability assessed. Staff benefit from regular training and have a strong knowledge of child protection and wider safeguarding issues. They follow the clear procedures in place to ensure children are escorted safely to and from the club.

Staff carry out daily checks to make sure all areas used by children are safe and clean. The manager takes the lead and works closely with the head teacher to share information to promote children's welfare. Staff ensure they consistently follow the schools COVID-19 risk assessment in relation to keeping children in particular groups and rooms.

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