New Forest Child Care Abbotswood

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children happily arrive at the club and excitedly greet friendly staff. They enthusiastically tell staff about their day, and how they, 'learned new things and played with friends'. Staff listen and respond positively to what children say.

They smile and show enthusiasm and ask children questions, promoting further discussion. Children know the routine well, such as where to hang their coats and bags. They demonstrate that they enjoy attending the club and comment that they, 'come here and make friends'.

Children independently choose what they want to play with. They happily share resources with their friends and smile as ...they do so. Older children involve younger children in their play.

They show care and consideration for them and adjust games they are playing to keep them safe. For example, older children deliberately hit balls more gently towards younger children when playing ball games. Children demonstrate respectful and friendly relationships with all.

They encourage staff and children to play games with them, such as pool, and cheer when balls are potted. Children balance carefully on plastic cushions as they cross one side of the playroom to the other. Other children support them to do this successfully and place their hands behind their back in case they fall.

They then thank each other for the support given.

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

The manager has clear aims to provide a club in which children can relax in a safe space, make friends and increase their confidence. She respects children's opinions and involves them in the decision-making process.

The manager encourages children to vote on what they like to do at the club. For instance, children write down their preferences and place them onto a notice board. Staff monitor the responses as a team and then provide children with their preferred choices.

Partnerships with parents are good. Parents report that the club is a safe space for their children to be. They talk of the friendly relationships with staff and the thorough communication.

For example, parents appreciate the regular email updates they receive about the club and say it, 'keeps them informed and up to date about what is going on'. The manager regularly communicates with the schools which children attend. This helps to ensure that children receive continuity of care.

Staff successfully help children to lead a healthy lifestyle. Children choose from a range of a nutritious options, shared during a sociable snack time. They help themselves and show friends what they have chosen, comparing choices.

Children enjoy the time they have to play outdoors. They show good imagination skills as they create their own games. Children giggle as they tell staff that they have made a game called, 'coconutty raft'.

They excitedly explain the rules and purpose of the game to intrigued staff. Children cheer as they manage to throw 'coconuts' from a raft, into a target 'pirate ship'. They jump up and down with enthusiasm before running over to staff for a cuddle.

Staff are well deployed and supervise children's activities successfully.The manager and the staff regularly reflect on their practice so they can monitor what is working well at the club. They make good use of staff supervisions to review staff practice and how it can be improved.

Staff are encouraged to attend regular training opportunities to develop their skills and discover new knowledge. They talk about the support they receive from senior management and say that they can go to them for help and support at any time. Staff appreciate the regular, encouraging verbal feedback they receive.

Staff provide a wide range of opportunities for children to be creative. For example, children are enthusiastic and motivated to make patterns out of paper. Staff demonstrate how to weave paper into patterns.

Children watch and then concentrate as they copy the actions. They eagerly show staff when they have finished and look proudly at their creations.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager and the staff understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. They recognise the procedures to follow if they feel that a child is at risk of harm. Staff are familiar with the robust procedures in place to raise concerns about staff practice.

Staff attend regular training opportunities so that they are kept up to date with various safeguarding issues, such as preventing people from being drawn into terrorism. The manager and staff complete risk assessments to identify and reduce risks to children. For example, when parents come to pick up, children know to stay away from the gate.

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