Portalkids

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and eager to start their day at this friendly club. Staff offer children a warm welcome, which enables them to settle quickly and join in the fun.

Children have a wide range of games and activities to choose from, both indoors and outdoors. For example, indoors, they explore arts and crafts and play board games. They build on their imaginative and small-muscle skills as they build spaceships and rockets from small construction bricks.

Outdoors, children spend long periods building dens from cardboard tubes and other loose parts. Children of all ages work together on their chosen projects. They problem-so...lve and communicate well with others.

Children show a sense of pride and achievement as they develop their ideas.Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. Children listen to instructions and show an understanding of the rules and boundaries.

They behave well and play nicely with each other. For example, children use large pom-poms to make a cheerleading routine. They welcome others to join the group and value each other's opinions and ideas.

Children show pride and confidence as they act out their routine. This reinforces their emotional development and self-esteem.

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

Staff plan a range of activities and experiences for children.

They plan days around children's interests, such as a 'flight day'. Some children excitedly fly kites and propel sponge rockets. Others make rockets and planes to fly.

Children gain valuable knowledge and skills while enjoying their day.Children have many opportunities for trips and visits outside the club. Staff organise trips to the library, the town park and the local zoo.

They regularly go to the local forest area to explore woodland and build dens. This gives children the opportunity to gain new experiences and engage with the local community.Children have lots of opportunities to develop their physical health and skills.

They have daily access to the playground, where they play football, balance on space hoppers or run and jump with their friends. Indoors, there is a segregated area to play more physical games, such as badminton.Children tell the inspector how much they enjoy coming to the club.

They say they like going on trips, playing board games with staff and meeting their friends. Children invite staff into their play and show excitement when staff join in. For example, staff support children to do a cheerleader routine and join in with their show.

This helps children to build bonds with staff and supports them to feel safe and secure.The manager has a strong ethos for the club and wants to ensure children have a fun time and gain new experiences. She supports her staff team well and looks after their well-being.

Together, they monitor and reflect on the club, the activities and their practice to ensure the best outcomes for the children in their care. The manager supports staff to undertake professional development, and this ensures staff training and skills are up to date.The manager works with parents to support all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The club also facilitates children through the government holiday activities and food programme to access the provision. This ensures children from all backgrounds can benefit from the experiences the club has to offer children.Parents and carers have a high regard for the club.

They feel it is a lifeline and supports them and their children well. The manager has an active social media page, where she gives parents and carers information about the club, activities in the community and any information to support parents and carers, particularly with online games and their safety.Staff support children to have a healthy lifestyle.

There is a daily opportunity to access the outdoors for fresh air and exercise. Children have access to fresh water throughout the day. Children bring healthy snacks and packed lunches from home, and lunchtime is a social event.

Staff remind children about the importance of washing their hands after play and before eating. This all supports children to make healthy choices and follow healthy lifestyles.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Managers and staff have a clear understanding of safeguarding. They know the signs and symptoms of different types of abuse. They understand the procedures to take if they felt a child was at risk of harm.

Staff have undertaken training in safeguarding and paediatric first aid. The manager has a robust recruitment procedure to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. The environment is safe and secure from unwanted visitors.

The premises and equipment are clean and well maintained. Staff complete daily risk assessments on all activities and trips outside the club. This ensures children are kept safe and secure.

Also at this postcode