Munchkins After School Club @ St Anne’s Infants School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children aged four to seven years thoroughly enjoy themselves in a safe, fun and relaxed environment.

They arrive and immediately begin to relax after a day in school. Staff register the children's attendance as they gather on the carpet. Children have access to a wide range of activities that they thoroughly enjoy.

Children choose where they want to play and who they want to play with. There is a free flow of play, indoors and outside, that children move between. Children enjoy conversing with the staff and articulately share their views about the club with the inspector.

They describe the setting as being 'fun' ...and 'exciting'. Children state they especially enjoy playing with slime and cooking. Children show sustained levels of interest as they create necklaces from pasta, they take care threading the tricky string through sequins and gems to make their creations.

Children show kindness towards each other. Younger girls play well together as they dress the dolls. Snack time is a relaxed and sociable occasion.

Children decide when they want to eat and who they want to sit with.Children develop good self-esteem and are motivated to have a go at all activities. They are independent and form good friendships.

Children behave well and play cooperatively together. They share and take turns, and amicably agree the rules of a game. Outside, children have good opportunity to develop their physical skill.

For example, they play games enjoy football, climbing frames, draw with chalks and construct models.

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

The manager strives to provide inclusive after-school care for children across the local community. She wants the children to feel safe, comfortable and to continue to develop and flourish.

The manager also supports her staff to enhance their skills through a range of regular training opportunities.The manager and staff work cohesively together to ensure the smooth running of the club. The provider evaluates the club exceptionally well, seeking the views of parents, school staff, and children.

This helps them to identify areas to develop.Staff have strong links with the on-site school They communicate effectively with school staff. They gather important information about children's individual needs.

This helps them to recognise potential risks to children's health or emotional well-being.Staff support children's understanding of being healthy. Children manage their personal hygiene very well, understanding the importance of regular handwashing before mealtimes.

The club provides healthy and nutritious snacks. Staff follow clear processes to ensure that children's dietary requirements are met. They use mealtimes to further promote independence.

For example, children confidently serve their own food. Older children are particularly kind and help the younger children. Children know the routine of the club very well.

The manager and staff work well together as a team and create an environment where children feel welcome. They act as excellent role models and talk to the children and one another respectfully. Staff know the children and their individual personalities well.

Partnerships with parents are good. Staff communicate and share information with parents effectively on a daily basis. Parents say they are happy with the care their children receive and staff are very approachable and friendly.

Parents also comment that their children ask to stay at the club for longer than they are supposed to because they are having so much fun.Staff take full account of children's interests and views. For instance, children add their ideas to the planning.

Staff continuously update their detailed planning in response to children's suggestions, interests, or home experiences.The manager understands how to support and develop children's confidence and self-esteem. They have high expectations of staff to be positive role models and talk about the positive impact of praising children for their achievements.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager makes children's safety and well-being their highest priority. It permeates all they do.

The manager follows safer recruitment procedures to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff update their knowledge of child protection and safeguarding regularly. They explain confidently what they must do if they think a child may be risk of harm.

The manager collaborates with other professionals to help protect children. They encourage staff to whistle-blow if they have any concerns about practice at the club. Managers and staff robustly assess risks in the environment and act to minimise these and help keep children safe.

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