Saltergate Kids Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive at the club and are welcomed by friendly, familiar staff. They are happy and excited to meet their friends and talk about their school day.

They are extremely settled and develop strong, trusting relationships with staff, who clearly enjoy their company. Staff plan activities across two rooms, so children have space to enjoy them. The activities are planned with children's interests in mind.

Staff also offer linked activities with the school, following themes and topics, for example 'Remembrance Day'.Children are familiar with the routines and expectations of the club. They confidently choose where they wan...t to play.

For example, some play energetically outdoors. While indoors, children show high levels of focus and concentration at the activities on offer. They work together to complete complex puzzles and make models using small bricks.

Others organise themselves as they play card games. Older children are helpful and caring towards the younger ones, helping them to read the words on the cards. Children are keen to tell visitors about the time they spend at the club.

They talk enthusiastically about the activities they enjoy, and the great time they have playing with their school friends.

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

Staff are very attentive and have quality interactions with the children. There is a busy and happy atmosphere as children play games together.

Children enjoy being creative. For instance, they carefully create flags, draw or print using various fruits and vegetables. Children's artwork is celebrated and displayed within the room, creating a sense of achievement and belonging.

Children are encouraged to have a voice in this setting, which teaches them that their thoughts and ideas are important and valued. For example, the termly 'Children's Council'. This helps staff to seek children's views on what they have enjoyed and the types of outdoor activities they would like to do, the snacks they would like and craft ideas they would like to try out.

Staff provide a range of opportunities for children to be physically active. For example, staff teach children how to play a variety of outdoor games. Children demonstrate persistence and resilience when learning to use the bat and ball.

Children are learning to be independent. Some are happy to take on added responsibility. For example, they are assigned the role of 'prefect', and accompany staff to collect younger children from their classrooms.

However, occasionally staff carry out tasks for children who are more than capable of completing them themselves.Children behave well. They mix with all age groups at the club.

The older children act as role models for the younger children and enjoy the sense of responsibility. Children understand the expectations and the golden rules. For instance, they write down their name if they want to play table football, so everyone can have a turn.

Minor disputes occasionally occur between the children. Staff are quick to intervene when necessary and offer guidance and support to enable children to resolve the issue. This helps children to feel secure in the setting.

Partnerships with the host school are strong and highly effective. Staff communicate daily with teachers. This enables them to gather relevant information about children's time at school.

The club mirrors the behaviour management strategies the school adopts. This provides consistency for children's understanding of how to behave appropriately.Parents comment that staff are very approachable, friendly and that they feel fully informed about their children's time at the club.

They say their children are always happy, want to attend and settle quickly. Parents say they are grateful for the service provided and feel reassured their children are in safe hands.The provider and staff regularly evaluate the care they provide.

They seek regular feedback from parents and children. Staff use this information to make well-considered changes to the resources and activities they provide. This ensures that the club continues to meet the changing needs and interests of all children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff are knowledgeable about their responsibility to keep children safe. Completion of safeguarding training ensures staff are fully up to date with the procedure to follow, should they have a concern regarding a child's welfare.

Staff confidently demonstrate their knowledge of how to report any concerns, including the whistle-blowing procedure. A robust recruitment process and thorough induction ensure staff are suitable for their roles. Children are supervised well, and the premises are risk assessed to ensure children are kept safe.

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