Pioneer Childcare - Southover

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this extremely warm, friendly, and welcoming after-school club. They have a secure space to unwind in after their day at school.

Children are confident and independent as they choose games and activities, both indoors and outdoors. For example, they happily and enthusiastically participate in a football game organised by a member of staff. This contributes significantly to children's sense of belonging.

Children form good relationships with each other, the manager, and the staff, who are kind and attentive. Children approach them confidently for support and comfort. They comment that... they enjoy attending the club.

Children enjoy spending time together, such as when building a straw tower and discussing how to keep it stable. The manager and the staff team have high expectations of children's behaviour. Children are polite and respectful to each other and the staff.

They listen to staff and follow instructions well. They know what is expected of them. Children understand the club's rules.

They share and take turns as they play with each other, helping them develop good social skills.

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

The staff and manager get to know the children and their families well from the start. They have effective settling-in procedures.

The manager and staff work with parents to gather key information about their children before they start. This helps them learn about children's interests and children's individual needs. The manager and staff cater for these well.

Staff play and interact with children very well. Children enthusiastically share their ideas with the manager and staff as they play. Staff listen to children's views and ideas and take these into account when planning future activities.

They encourage children to keep trying when tasks are difficult. This helps children to feel valued and respected.Staff support children to understand how to make healthy food choices.

They do this through regular discussions at circle time, before snack. The manager and staff provide an assortment of nutritious snacks. Children make their own sandwiches and wraps and choose vegetables and fruits.

They enjoy being active as they run, jump, climb and take age-appropriate risks outdoors. For instance, children enjoy climbing and balancing on the apparatus in the garden. As a result, children's physical development is supported well and they gain a good understanding of healthy lifestyles.

Partnerships with parents are good. Parents speak highly about the care their children receive. They comment that their children are happy and enjoy their time at the club.

The manager and staff inform parents about their children's activities through daily feedback and regular newsletters. They liaise effectively with the children's teachers and parents. The manager and staff pass on teacher's key messages to parents to help ensure they remain up to date with their children's care.

Children's safety is very important to the manager. He ensures that staff are deployed well across the club, both indoors and outdoors. Staff remind children about the club rules and the behaviour expected of them.

Children behave well and staff manage any potential conflicts effectively. Staff support children in an age-appropriate way to solve any issues that might arise. They encourage children to share ideas and work out any disagreements through discussions and conversations.

The manager, senior leaders and provider support the staff well. They regularly conduct supervisions and one-to-one meetings. Staff attend regular team meetings, both in-house and on a company level.

The provider arranges a yearly training day, and offers professional development plans to all staff. Staff report that they feel valued and that their well-being and their professional development is important to the management team. The provider has robust recruitment procedures in place.

She carries out the necessary checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children, including staff induction and probation procedures.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm.

They have a good knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding, including radicalisation and female genital mutilation. The manager and staff can identify the signs and indicators of abuse. They know what to do and who to contact if they have a concern about a child or an adult, including allegations about a member of the team.

The manager carries out regular risk assessment of the area. He ensures staff deployment is effective. This helps children play in a safe and secure environment.

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