Mountnessing Breakfast and After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and enjoy attending the club. They enjoy playing with their friends and talking to the staff. Staff ask children what they like to do and involve themselves in the varied activities.

This friendly approach helps to provide a sense of fun and encourages a relaxed and calming environment. Children eagerly get involved in their chosen activities. They enjoy taking part in craft activities that are planned to reflect their ideas.

For example, children work with staff to make paper aeroplanes and estimate how far they think their aeroplane will fly. Children behave very well in the safe and secure environment.... Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour.

Children are gently reminded of the impact that their actions may have on others. Staff work hard to make sure that children feel valued and respected. They involve the children when deciding appropriate rules for the club.

Children show care and respect for others. For example, when attempting to fly the handmade paper aeroplanes, children explain and show their friends how to hold the aeroplane, to help it fly. Children have lots of opportunities for energetic outdoor play in the forest school area.

This has a positive impact on their good health and understanding of the benefits of following an active lifestyle.

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

There are strong, supportive links with the host school. Year group teachers regularly share important information about a child before they attend the club.

Some of the staff in the club also work in the school. This strengthens the link between the school and the setting.Staff develop strong partnerships with parents.

They gain information from parents about their child's interests and ensure the resources and activities reflect these. This helps children to settle from the outset. Staff ensure that they have regular chats with parents about their child's time at the club and pass on information from the school each day.

Children investigate and explore as they engage in a range of interesting activities and play experiences. They use their imagination as they play with the cars and decorate Christmas tree decorations they had made from salt dough. Other children prefer to sit and colour.

Another group of children enjoy playing board games with staff members.Staff support children to be confident communicators. They interact well with children, make good eye contact and get down to their level.

Staff engage children in conversations, narrate children's play and ask them open-ended questions to encourage their thinking skills.Staff encourage children to be independent. For example, children take responsibility for their own belongings, and they continue to manage their own self-care needs well.

Children learn the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They have access to the forest school area and playing fields, where they enjoy more physical play. They follow good hygiene routines and enjoy a range of healthy snacks and meals.

Mealtimes are a social occasion, where children show confidence in speaking and listening. They demonstrate this as they sit together to talk about things that are important to them.Staff create an inclusive environment, where diversity is respected.

They are good role models and treat children with good levels of respect. For example, staff make use of current events, such as the football World Cup, to teach children about people from different countries around the world.The manager and staff benefit from regular supervision meetings.

Training is encouraged to enhance staff's skills and knowledge, which is then used to benefit the children. Recent training has enhanced staff's understanding of safeguarding, which further protects children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the signs a child may be at risk from harm or neglect. They are aware of the potential risks children may be exposed to, including the use of technology and extreme views. Staff know that any concerns must be shared promptly, to help keep children safe.

They attend regular training, and the manager keeps them fully informed of any changes to safeguarding legislation. The provider follows effective recruitment procedures to ensure that those employed to work with children are suitable to do so. Staff ensure that the premises are safe and secure.

Also at this postcode