Lenthall Childrens Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive at the club eager and excited to get stuck into the activities that staff present to them. They excitedly bounce in, oozing confidence and demonstrating they feel safe here.

Children place their coats and bags in the box and run off to find the activities of their choice and settle quickly. Children know that their voices are heard and that staff include them with decisions about the club. For example, Monday night is 'make it Monday' and Friday is' theme night'.

Children discuss what they want to happen on these nights and enjoy planning for them.Children off all ages thrive in the care of professional and... dedicated staff, who provide a welcoming, safe and nurturing environment. Children are valued as individuals by the staff.

They take their time to ask how each child's day has been and make sure children are alright. Consequently, children develop strong bonds with the staff who know them well.Children's behaviour towards each other is admirable, this is a direct result of the staff's high expectations for all children.

Younger children display high levels of confidence as they play alongside older children during imaginative play. For example, a group of children, including two of the youngest group members, play harmoniously together for a significant amount of time. They become knights who try and save the princess from the dragon.

Younger children enhance their play skills, develop a rich vocabulary and quickly learn the rules of the game, building further on their social skills.

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

Staff provide children with activities that complement their school learning. They liaise with teachers to identify any gaps in learning and help to bridge the gap.

For example, the manager is aware that some early years children struggle to recognise different shapes. Activities are set up that include a diverse range of shapes. Younger children start to recognise different shapes and repeat the word rhombus and cylinder.

Staff follow clear processes to ensure that children's dietary requirements are met. They know children's requirements well as they gather this information prior to the child starting. All staff have completed their food hygiene training and promote good hygiene procedures with the children.

Children know to wash their hands before eating and do this independently.The manager and staff work together to evaluate the club and seek the views of parents and children. They have adapted their opening times to meet the needs of parents in the morning.

Furthermore, the manager is aware of the need to strengthen the process of supervision for staff, to identify professional development opportunities and discuss individual performance.Staff help younger children to understand the rules of games and to be able to play alongside their older peers. Younger children are supported to stay engaged when a game becomes challenging.

During a question and answer game the question was 'How many bones are in your body?' Staff quickly identify that further support is needed for the younger children. They step in by asking the older children to provide a clue. Staff ask each child in turn to take a guess on a number.

This helps the younger children to continue to play and provides further challenge for the older children. Children develop an understanding of mathematical language and higher end counting skills as they have to think of numbers bigger than a 100.The manager and staff develop effective partnerships with parents.

They regularly communicate, keeping parents up to date with what is happening in the club and school. The manager provides a club that is inclusive to the families from the local community. She is dedicated to providing a service that supports the families of the children that attend the local schools.

The club ensures any barriers a family might have in attending are minimised as much as possible.Children enjoy physical activities. They excitedly move their bodies in an enthusiastic manner as they dance to an interactive game on the projector.

They enjoy showing the member of staff how to do each dance move. They become leaders as they help to guide the member of staff.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff keep up to date with child protection training. They know the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child in their care. Staff are familiar with the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm.

Staff talk about the importance of working in collaboration with teachers and other professionals to ensure children's emotional health and well-being are promoted. Staff help children to understand about how to keep themselves safe. Younger children know to go to their key person if they are feeling worried or concerned about anything.

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