SCL @ Castle Hill Basingstoke

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements The club's ethos to 'have fun, learn more and move more' is successfully promoted. The experienced manager leads the club with passion and determination. She expertly guides a team of staff which is committed to providing quality care.

Staff place high priority on meeting children's physical and emotional well-being. Children settle very well and enjoy good relationships with staff and each other. They are valued as individuals and play an active part in the running of the club.

Staff's consistent approach to promoting the club rules, including rules that are followed in the host school, is a particular strength of the clu...b. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They demonstrate impeccable manners and children treat each other with kindness and respect.

There is a strong focus on complementing the learning children receive in school through topic work which stems from children's interests. For example, children learn that a group of dolphins is called a pod and explore the difference between animals who have a backbone and those who do not. Children count and work out basic mathematical problems in active games outside, such as throwing balls at the numbers and quickly guessing the answers to complex problems before their friends.

The staff team actively supports children during their chosen activities through discussions that extend children's vocabulary. Children spend long periods of time creating models and proudly showing off their creations at pick-up time.

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

Staff deliver a varied and interesting range of activities that successfully capture children's attention and sustain their concentration.

Children have opportunities to make decisions about their play, including well-planned themed activities such as biscuit making and crafts. Children snuggle on comfy beanbags, reading favourite stories, or settle down quickly to a game of snakes and ladders with friends. Staff create fun games to keep children occupied during snack time as children individually prepare their own food.

For example, children are tasked with creating an imaginative list of character names, with friendly rivalry between tables to see who can achieve the longest list.There is effective oversight by regional managers that affords good-quality feedback for the team, including for apprentices who are undertaking recognised qualifications. The team benefits from ongoing supervision meetings and regular training opportunities to continually strengthen its skills.

Feedback from weekly observations and audits ensures good attention to keeping children safe and effectively supports the delivery of a high-quality provision. New staff continue to embed their knowledge with the support of experienced staff.Staff teach children about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

They provide a wide range of nutritious foods that reflect children's individual dietary needs. Children relish opportunities to select their own sandwich fillings and show good levels of independence as they expertly create their own sandwiches. Staff deliver a targeted programme of sports-based activities that keep children physically fit and healthy.

Staff promote an inclusive club that supports children's good understanding of life in modern Britain. Children learn about celebrations such as Diwali and talk excitedly about the lamps they made for the Hindu festival of light. They experience first hand how democracy works as they share their views, including for activities, which are readily acted on by staff.

Staff provide children with a safe space to discuss their feelings and emotions if they are worried about their own or someone else's mental well-being. Children display a strong sense of belonging and comment positively about their experiences at the club.The manager and staff establish positive partnerships with parents.

They ensure an effective daily handover, which includes information passed on from the school. Any concerns are acted on, if necessary, in line with requirements. Parents comment very positively about the service and the care their children receive.

Equally positive feedback is given by the host school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Children's safety is a high priority at the club.

Staff access regular training on safeguarding matters and demonstrate a strong understanding of local policy and procedures. Robust recruitment and vetting procedures are implemented to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff work in effective partnership with the host school to assure children's safety.

For example, they implement an agreed drop-off procedure that includes maintaining a daily register so that all staff and the school are clear on which children are attending and who is responsible for them. Children are well supervised, including between classrooms and in outdoor play spaces. Staff support children effectively to look after their own safety, through practical reminders and consistent implementation of the club's rules.

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