Play House Childcare

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children love coming to this after-school club. Staff warmly greet children when they collect them from the local primary school. They smile and address them by name, speaking to their teachers to pass on any messages from the day.

This helps children to transition from school to the club happily. On arrival, children settle quickly, excited to become involved in the wide range of activities on offer. For example, some play board games with staff and friends, others build creations with blocks or help themselves to snack.

Children have many opportunities to run around and have fun after a busy day at school with a large ou...tdoor area with some covered areas, ensuring it is comfortable to use in wet and hot conditions.Staff are good role models. They are friendly and polite and work well with all children.

They quickly notice when children need extra support to engage in activities and talk to them about what they would like to do, taking them to the resource cupboard to find something they enjoy. Children are equally quick to seek out staff for help when needed. Children show they have built strong relationships with the staff, which makes them feel safe and secure.

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

Staff keep children very safe at this club. On collection from school, children happily put on their high-visibility jackets before walking calmly with the staff across the playground to the club. They listen very well to staff and stop at specific check points so staff can count them as they make their way to the club.

On arrival, even the newest children know the routine. They have a sense of belonging as they hang up their coats and bags on named pegs, keeping their environment clutter free and tidy, and wash their hands ready for snack and play.Children have many opportunities for challenging active play in the large outdoor space.

They take risks as they climb on the piles of tractor tyres, race up and down the track on bikes and scooters, and navigate the climbing frame. They play football, kicking goals into the football net. Children create potions in the mud kitchen and others bake 'cookies', mixing together mud and water using real cooking tools.

Partnership with parents is very good. Parents comment on how well their new reception children have settled into the club. The communication is good and they know what their children have been doing in the club, and who their key person is.

If children have any additional needs, staff ensure they know what these are and link with the school and parents to ensure they know how to best support them.Children of all ages support each other and get along extremely well. Older children watch out for the younger ones and help them where needed.

For example, when putting on dressing-up clothes, older children help younger children do up the buttons. Children of varying ages play very well together and behaviour is excellent.Leadership is very effective.

Managers constantly evaluate the setting and make changes to improve it where needed. Managers have addressed the concerns raised in the previous inspection well and have made significant changes. Staff say they feel very well supported.

They have regular meetings, where they discuss relevant topics and managers encourage them to keep themselves up to date by attending regular training. New staff go through thorough recruitment procedures, including suitability checks, ensuring children are safe in their care.Staff provide children with a range of healthy snacks that all children, including the youngest, access independently.

For example, children help themselves to the snack bar, washing their hands beforehand, choosing their snack from the selection, and pouring their own drinks. Older children happily help the younger ones to find the spread to put on their bread. When finished, they wash their own plates and cups and put them up to dry.

Children independently choose from the many activities and toys to play with.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.