Loddiswell Breakfast Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are warmly welcomed into the setting on arrival. The club is a 'home-from-home' as children enjoy a family feel environment and their well-being is consistently high.

Children have a strong sense of belonging, are exceptionally happy and wear huge smiles. Good manners are encouraged and children are polite to adults and each other. Children laugh together and work as a team as they play a parachute game called 'fruit salad'.

They form close bonds together and are extremely caring. Older children hold hands of younger children when out walking on a ramble and pick blackberries for them because they know they like t...hem.Parents do not enter the setting due to the COVID-19 pandemic but they are kept fully informed of how the children are, any accidents or incidents that occur and the varied activities provided.

Children use the spacious school hall for a base as part of reducing the risk of transmission. Parents speak highly of the positive impact the club has had post national lockdown. Parents comment that transition into school is significantly easier when children know they are attending the club before or after school.

Parents say their children come to the club because they love it.

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

Daily fresh air and visits to the local park or forest school is a favourite for everyone. Children develop independence skills as they dress themselves in outdoor weather suits and wellies before they depart on their expedition.

Children love to run and jump, and squeal with laughter in muddy puddles. They see who can make the biggest splash and retell their previous experiences of getting muddy and listen to each other's stories. A child falls over in a puddle and other children gather around to check on them and offer reassurance.

Children show they are kind and resilient.Children are proud to show the 'horse jumps' made out of branches at forest school that they gallop over. The children demonstrate their climbing skills on the 'climbing tree' and weave in and out of 'bramble alley'.

Children learn how to keep safe from the provider's clear instructions and are reminded about rules frequently. Children spot mushrooms in the undergrowth and describe how they do not touch them in case they are poisonous.Healthy snacks and drinks are offered at various times to meet the needs of all the children.

They eat fruit, toast and honey with milk or water after puddle jumping. Children know their bodies need healthy food and drink after being active.Children are highly engaged at the club.

They are imaginative and solve problems as they make a den using benches and blankets. Large tweezer pegs help secure the den and children excitedly go underneath it. A treasure box captures the children's curiosity.

Children examine precious gemstones and look through a telescope. Wonder and imagination is ignited as they whisper and embrace the magic of the treasure.Although the provider works on her own, she has a strong network of support around her while working on the school premises.

The provider shares information with other local childcare providers that children also attend, and works closely with them. Information on children's well-being and how they settle in is regularly exchanged. Written information about the children's needs, likes, dislikes and expectations on behaviour are established before a child starts.

This benefits the children's personal development and ensures their emotional needs are met. The provider adapts her routines for younger children when they start and this helps them feel happy and secure.The provider is a highly reflective leader and researches topics to improve her practice.

Professional development courses are accessed regularly and this provides the children with high quality interaction and support for their individual needs. Activities on offer are planned around what the children want to do and the provider skilfully ensures all children are included.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The provider is trained in first aid, has a good understanding of how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and is alert to changes in behaviour. Effective systems are in place to record and monitor safeguarding information and concerns. This helps keep children safe.

The provider has not updated the safeguarding policy to reflect a minor name alteration but this does not have an impact on the setting. Robust risk assessments are reviewed appropriately so children can explore and enjoy their environments confidently. The provider considers how to help keep children safe on social media by only posting non-identifying photographs of children.