Orchard Childcare @ St Marys

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive to the club happy. Staff fondly greet them at the door by their names. They involve children in discussions about their day as they hang up their belongings such as book bags and water bottles.

Children demonstrate a good knowledge of the club's routines. Staff know children well and are attentive to their individual needs. For example, they ensure that younger children have access to sufficient resources and space to enable them to play and relax if they feel tired.

Children form meaningful friendships with staff and enjoy one another's company. They take part in crafts, role play and outdoor activities al...l year round. This helps children to build on their physical, creative and social abilities.

For instance, children create amazing dough models of animals that hibernate. They concentrate intently as they use tools to create markings on their tortoise shells. Older children have tremendous fun playing tennis in the playground.

Staff have high expectations for every child. They implement effective routines to support children to have a clear knowledge of the expectations for their behaviour. For example, on arrival, children recite the school's prayer and the club's rules.

This reminds children to have consideration for others and to act kindly. Children's behaviour is good.

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

Children develop their concentration, pattern recognition, decision-making and problem-solving skills well, for instance when playing chess.

Staff listen carefully to children and explain the rules to support their knowledge of the game. Children further develop their knowledge of mathematical concepts as they learn the different ways the pieces can move.Staff provide a vast range of opportunities for children to be creative and use their imaginations.

Children practise their writing skills while making cards and drawing. For instance, they spend sustained periods of time creating posters of hibernating animals using fact files. Children learn that animals, such as snails, bears and hedgehogs, hibernate.

They enjoy creating houses out of cardboard boxes. Younger children use their imaginations as they dress up dolls and pretend to take them on adventurous experiences.Children speak positively about staff and the things to do after school.

They comment that they like 'making things' and that staff are 'fun'.Children enjoy taking part in the wide range of outdoor activities on offer at the club. They can access the school playground throughout the after-school session.

Staff join in children's play as they create cookies with dough, look at books and play ball games.The management team and staff ensure that the club is well organised. They are aware of their roles and responsibilities and work together to make sure that they promote children's well-being and safety and to ensure the smooth running of the session.

Staff promote children's independence skills well. At snack time, children show they know the routine. For instance, they access the bathroom to wash their hands.

Children create their own wraps and crackers with a selection of healthy fillings such tomatoes, cheeses, cucumbers and carrots.The club is inclusive. Staff have developed good partnerships with the school.

The manager regularly meets with the school's special educational needs coordinator to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. This helps staff to understand children's individual needs. It also encourages continuity and supports children to settle in quickly and enjoy their time at the club.

Parents are highly complimentary about the friendly staff team and the beautiful craft work their children bring home from the club. They comment that their children love the afternoon and breakfast club and there is a wonderful, professional team. Parents say their children are never bored and that they are safe and have a great time.

However, staff do not consistently share and obtain precise information, especially during children's settling-in periods, to enhance partnership with parents even further.The management team implements effective safer recruitment strategies to ensure the suitability of staff. It provides staff with regular ongoing support for their continuous professional development, such as through supervision, meetings and training opportunities.

This helps to ensure staff's ongoing professional development and drive forward the quality of the club.

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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