Middle Park After School Club and Holiday Playscheme

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff provide a fun and exciting environment that children enjoying spending time in. Children benefit from a consistent and long-standing staff team, who are kind and know children well.

Staff take part in children's conversations about their day and encourage them to join the activities. They make suggestions on what they could do and how. Children respond well and build their own play with others.

Children are confident to speak to adults and ask for help if needed. They say they enjoy coming to the club and playing with their friends. Staff encourage children to play together and make positive remarks about their attem...pts at doing things for themselves, such as riding the bicycles.

Mealtimes are reasonably calm and well planned. Children take this opportunity to talk to each other about what they did at school and where they went on the weekends. They are kind and mindful of each other.

Staff act as good role models. They are respectful and courteous with children and often make their expectations clear. This helps children to understand boundaries.

For example, during transition moments, if children become louder, staff remind them effectively of the rules by clapping their hands to remind them to use quieter voices. Children listen and respond well to staff's requests. For example, they arrive in a calm manner and put their belongings away in turns.

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

Staff provide age-appropriate activities and resources that children have free access to and enjoy playing with. There is a good balance between active and more quiet activities. For example, children use the outdoor area to play ball games, such as football or cricket, and practise their physical skills.

Inside, children play with puzzles and build structures using magnets. This range of choice helps children to make independent decisions that suit their interests, especially after a busy day at school.Staff supervise and engage well with children.

They praise them for their efforts when attempting something new or more challenging. For example, when children use the climbing bars or the balancing logs in the garden, staff are present and monitor their efforts. This supports children's self-esteem and helps them to feel proud of themselves.

Staff involve children in changing the activities to keep them interested and motivated in what they are doing. For example, staff and children build a balancing course with things they can find outside. This helps children to feel heard and engage in cooperative play.

Routines are predictable and well organised. This helps children to understand what they need to do and follow instructions. For example, during snack time, children wait patiently for their turn to go and wash their hands.

As a result, the environment is calm and pleasant to be in. Staff give children the opportunity to take on some tasks during their time at the club. For instance, children help to serve snacks and water during mealtimes.

This helps them to take ownership and understand responsibilities.Staff provide suitable and clean premises. The centre has recently been refurbished and the equipment is safe to use and well maintained.

Staff talk to children about how to stay healthy and understand their bodies' needs. For example, when children feel hot from running, staff speak to them about how this feels in their bodies and what they can do to cool down.Leaders work closely with parents and schools to make sure that they have the information they need to support children, specifically those with additional needs.

Parents say that they are happy with the service and support they receive from the club, especially during transitions and settling-in times. They praise staff's kindness and effective communication with leaders, which makes them feel reassured.Staff say they are happy and well supported by leaders.

They have access to a range of relevant training, which helps them to feel confident in doing their roles. Leaders are evaluative and reflective of their practice. They have worked closely with the local authority to improve past weaknesses and have made good progress since their last inspection.

Despite this, more attention could be given to the way in which confidential records are kept, to make sure that information remains easily accessible when needed.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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