PLAY at St Bernadette’s

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children demonstrate that they are happy and settled at the club.

Staff provide motivating activities which children thoroughly enjoy. Staff encourage children to widen their circle of friends, which helps support children's self-esteem and confidence. Staff listen to the opinions and thoughts of children and take into consideration the activities that children suggest that they would like to do.

Children are actively involved in planning, which helps to keep them engaged and happy. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and model this very well. Consequently, children behave exceptionally well.

The...y are kind to each other and very polite. Children enthusiastically help clear away games and resources when they have finished playing with them.Staff have clear bonds with the children.

They take time to get to know the children they care for. As a result, children's emotional health is very well supported. For example, when children become upset, staff listen to them and discuss feelings with them.

This helps to reassure children and they develop a sense of belonging. Staff encourage children to take responsibility for tasks, which helps with their independence skills. Older children look after and nurture young children, inviting them to play in their games.

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

Children are given ample opportunities to develop their physical skills both inside and outside. They are regularly encouraged to play in group games and burn off energy. Children enjoy investigating nature among the trees and running around in the fresh air.

Staff discuss healthy lifestyles with the children. They encourage them to eat fruit and vegetables from their snack boxes and to regularly drink water during play.Children say that they really look forward to coming to the club.

They comment that staff are kind and fun and that they get to do 'cool things' every day. Parents say that the club is of an exceptional quality and that the leader goes to great lengths to provide a safe and stimulating club with a very high level of pastoral care.Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) extremely well.

They create a bespoke programme which strongly supports the inclusion of every child. Consequently, children with SEND thoroughly enjoy the club and benefit from the activities. However, there are occasions when quieter children do not receive the same level of interactions from staff.

Despite this, overall staff offer good levels of engagement through different play experiences.Children of different ages benefit from collaborative play and activities together. For instance, they sit and make 'rainbow cards' together at the craft tables.

They chat about school and their families, giggle and share jokes with one another. Children demonstrate a high level of social interaction and are confident around staff, including a visitor to the club.The leader is very passionate about the aims for the club.

He evaluates the service he provides closely and listens to feedback from parents, children and staff. Staff have an in-depth understanding of children's needs. They strive to make the club a success and to have a positive impact on the children who attend.

Staff are well-qualified to use use their skills to enhance the high-quality provision.Children demonstrate that they feel safe in the staff's warm care. Staff have an excellent understanding of their role in keeping children safe.

They are aware of their responsibilities in line with local safeguarding protocol. There is a robust recruitment process in place to ensure that those staff who work with children are suitable. The inside and outside of the premises are checked daily and hazards removed if necessary Staff skilfully play alongside children.

They encourage children to play together and give them tasks, such as writing shopping lists and using money to 'buy' groceries. This supports children's imaginative play and develop skills that they may use in everyday life. Staff ask children to vote and fairly decide which short movie they would like to watch over lunch.

This helps children develop their decision-making skills.

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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