Raysfield After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children eagerly arrive at the club and happily settle as they talk to staff about their day. Staff know the children well and have formed good relationships with all of the children and their families. Staff use their knowledge of what children like and are interested in planning and providing a good range of activities that keep children engaged and involved.

For instance, children concentrate and focus as they use the craft materials available to make their own models, using their imaginations as they talk through what they are creating. Children work together to support each other as they make their models. The older children h...elp the younger children to cut materials, and they praise each other when they show off their finished artwork.

Children are kind, considerate and well mannered. They are independent at managing their feelings and behaviour, and are able to share and take turns with equipment without adults intervening. Children benefit from having opportunities to have fresh air and exercise.

Staff recognise that some children need to be outside and they facilitate this well. Children enjoy being outside in all weathers.

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

Links between the club and the school that children attend are strong.

The manager and some staff work within the school, helping staff to form relationships with the teaching staff, headteacher and children in the school. Staff continue to implement school rules in club, so that children have a good understanding of what is expected of them.The manager and staff regularly reflect on their practice and the service that is being provided.

Parents and children give feedback, and staff encourage children to be involved in making decisions and planning. Children tell staff what they enjoy and suggest things that they would like to do in the club to make their time more enjoyable.Partnerships with parents are good and well established.

Staff work closely with parents to get to know the children when they first attend the club. For instance, parents complete a record of children's likes and interests. This helps staff to consider what resources and activities they can use to help children to settle quickly.

Staff share information with parents at the end of the session, to inform them of what their child has been doing. Parents say that they are 'very happy with the service being provided' and some state that 'they have problems getting their children to leave'.The manager places high importance on keeping children safe.

She carries out secure recruitment procedures to check and monitor the suitability of the adults working with the children. Good procedures are in place for collecting children from school, to ensure their safety. Staff deploy themselves well to supervise children while they play.

Children have a welcoming and calming space to play. Resources are accessible for children to make their own choices about what they would like to play with. Staff arrange the area well to enable children to have space to relax, be creative and to play together with their peers.

Overall, staff encourage children to be independent within the club. However, there is scope to develop this further during snack time. For example, children are left waiting for their tea at the tables while staff prepare their food.

Staff promote children's language and communication skills well. They engage children in conversations and support them to share their ideas as they play alongside them. Children are sociable and confident.

They join in games with their peers and hold conversations as they sit down to eat.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities to protect children's welfare.

They are confident to the signs and indicators of a child being at risk of harm and the referral systems if needed. Staff remain vigilant and carry out daily checks of the environment to make sure that children are not in contact with hazards. The manager understands her responsibility to monitor children's welfare, she keeps records of accidents that occur and she is aware of children's medical and dietary needs.

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