Play Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and enjoy their time in this welcoming and fun environment. The sound of their cheerful chatter and laughter can be heard throughout the session. Staff play alongside children and support them to feel safe and secure.

Children participate in a wide range of activities, which are planned around what they are interested in. For example, children decorate eggs for Easter and create innovative models using a wide range of materials. Children concentrate on their chosen tasks well and proudly show their creations to each other, visitors and staff.

Children are sociable and build close friendships with each ot...her. They play cooperatively together and greet visitors with curiosity. Children confidently talk about their experiences at the setting and what they like to do.

They say that they like coming to club and that the staff look after them well. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the club remained open to key-worker children in the area. The manager and staff continually reviewed their safety measures and hygiene procedures.

For example, they re-organised the areas for children of different ages, to help to minimise the possible spread of infection and keep children safe.

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

Staff consider children's individual needs well. They support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well in the setting.

Staff make adaptations to help all children feel part of the activities and experiences they offer at the club. Parents also comment that their children's individual needs are met well by the staff and manager.Children demonstrate good behaviour and show exceptional manners.

They listen carefully to staff and are aware of what is expected of them. For instance, children help to create the club rules and remind each other of these frequently.Staff are calm and positive role models.

They know children well as they hold conversations with them, and show a genuine interest in their lives. Staff chat about what children have been learning at school, their interests, hobbies and experiences at home.Staff provide children with a variety of healthy snacks.

Children make choices about what they would like to eat. They confidently help themselves to a range of fruit and vegetables at snack time. Mealtimes are a social occasion, where children engage in conversations with their friends and staff.

Children have plenty of opportunities to be active and get fresh air each day. They access a large outdoor area, where they can run around and play games, such as football, catch and skipping. During the darker evenings, children explore the outdoor area with torches and enjoy star gazing.

Children have quieter areas, where they can relax after a busy day at school.They enjoy lounging on beanbags and cushions in the setting's newly develop 'cosy club'. Children watch movies together and read books to their friends as they unwind.

Parents are happy with the club and praise the friendly, caring and professional staff. They state that staff get to know their children extremely well, and provide them with interesting and fun activities and experiences. Parents say that their children like attending the club and always leave happy and smiling.

Staff have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the club. They say that managers are supportive, and they have regular meetings to discuss the setting and children's needs. However, managers do not consistently target professional development to support less-experienced staff to extend their knowledge and build their confidence further.

Managers are passionate and want children to enjoy their time in the club. They work well together, and reflect on the setting and experiences that they provide. Staff seek the views of staff, children and parents when making improvements.

For example, after consultation with children, a 'buddy system' has been introduced, so that older children can help the younger children to settle into the setting.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff have a good understanding of their responsibilities around safeguarding.

They know the action to take if they have a concern about a child's safety or welfare. Staff have a good knowledge of broader safeguarding issues and what to do should they have a concern about a colleague. The premises are secure, and only known adults can collect children.

Staff carry out effective risk assessments of the premises. Children are always supervised, and staff support children to keep themselves safe at the club. For example, staff encourage children to wear high-visibility vests in the playground and when being collected from school, so that they are easily visible.

The manager shares safeguarding information and updates with staff during team meetings and discussions. There are robust recruitment procedures in place. This helps to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

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