Lamesley Childcare at St Andrews Church

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff place children's safety and happiness at the heart of everything they do. Children who have just started at the club greet the inspector enthusiastically and demonstrate the magic tricks they have learned. Some parents report that their children want to come to the club even when they do not need childcare.

Parents of younger children comment that their children run into the club and do not want to leave. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they greet the staff enthusiastically and encourage them to join in their play. For example, younger children who are playing with dolls ask staff to hold their baby whi...le they make their bottle.

Children check the outside area with staff before they use it and tell others about hazards that they need to be aware of. For example, younger children remind each other to be careful of the balls outside. Children are very happy in the club and behave well.

They are aware of the rules and expectations. For example, children know that they must walk inside and respond quickly when adults remind them of these expectations.

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

Staff plan a stimulating play environment.

There are a wide variety of resources available for children to develop their skills further. Staff talk to children about the activities that they would like to do and organise the environment according to these views. For example, older children request a bracelet-making station.

They concentrate well as they make their own bracelets.Children develop excellent relationships with their peers and with staff and show mutual respect. For example, staff take time to explain to children that they need to go and help another child.

They reassure children that they will return. Staff take time to listen to children and build on their ideas. For instance, younger children tell staff about a story they enjoyed with their grandparents.

Staff sensitively develop this discussion further during the session.Children develop a good awareness of their friends' feelings. Staff support children well to take turns.

For example, when children want to play with styling heads, staff explain to them that they must wait for other children to finish. They take time to explain to children using the styling heads that others would like to play with these too.Staff have organised routines to ensure children have ample opportunity to play indoors and outside.

However, sometimes the breaks in the routine to have snack or go outside interrupt children's play. As a result, children are not always able to finish what they are doing and are not as motivated to take part in subsequent activities.Staff work well with parents.

They share information about what children have been doing and what activities they will be taking part in. Parents are encouraged to share this information with school staff. Parents comment that they know exactly what their child will be doing that day.

Staff say that they are well supported and they have a range of training opportunities available. There are good procedures in place for staff to share any important points from training. For example, they feed back to other staff during meetings and then review how they can alter their provision accordingly.

Recent training has led to staff altering the environment to include more quiet areas.Managers do not always ensure that staff consistently follow all policies and procedures. For example, not all staff follow the five-minute warning that children are given to tidy up.

This causes younger children to become confused when they are tidying while others are still playing.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a good understanding of how to protect children from harm.

They know how to identify and report their concerns about children to keep them safe. Staff ensure the club is safe and well maintained. They act swiftly to ensure they deal with hazards and also teach children how to identify hazards in the environment.

For instance, during the inspection, younger children ensured that cones remained in place so that the bicycles did not interrupt others' play. Managers ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Good recruitment and induction help staff to understand their role in keeping children safe.