Sands End Adventure Project

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive safely to the club from school.

The 'walking bus' gives children time to talk to staff about their school day. Staff listen to what children have to say and children enjoy having this time to talk. This makes the walk fun and enjoyable.

The club offers children opportunities to complete a wide range of activities. After snack time, all children play together, regardless of age. Older children enjoy being with the younger children, helping them to complete activities.

The club welcomes children from two main schools and children enjoy playing together. This helps children develop their social skills... and confidence. Children are kind to each other and show each other respect.

There is a real family feel to the club. Children's behaviour is exemplary. Children understand what is expected of them and this allows them to make good choices.

Staff speak to children and explain when they are not able to do something. For example, staff explain that children need to wait for the sports pitch before playing with the heavier basketball. The clarity helps children to understand why they must sometimes wait to use certain resources.

The communication between staff and children helps to create the calm and fun atmosphere.

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

Staff have excellent knowledge of the children who attend the club. Key persons are in place to support the youngest children and they spend time getting to know them.

Staff create interesting and exciting activities that they know children will enjoy. Children and staff develop secure relationships. They enjoy spending time together and children welcome them into the games.

The club goes over and above to support children and their families. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the club provided families with activity packs and food parcels. Families describe the club as a real lifeline through this time.

This ensured the well-being of the children of the club.Children enjoy a range of new experiences at the club. For example, a local community chef provides cooking club sessions for children.

Within the class, children create their own food from around the world and talk about healthy and unhealthy foods. This helps to develop children's understanding of healthy lifestyles.The club works well with the local community.

The manager utilises other local clubs and professionals to support the children. A recent project to create a girls' football team, involving the local football squad, has encouraged the girls to create a love for the game and help develop their physical skills. Parents comment on the confidence it has given their children to join a sport and be proud of what they can do.

Children's mental well-being is openly discussed. The club create activities for children to talk about their similarities and differences. This provides children with opportunities to be inquisitive about each other and helps children to learn about others within their community.

This drives children to be proud of who they are.Parents speak very highly of the club. They talk of the staff's 'commitment to creating a safe and engaging environment' for all children.

Parents describe how much their children enjoy attending the club and the wide range of activities available for them. Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities praise the inclusiveness of the club and the progress their children have made since attending.The manager supports her team effectively.

Staff have access to a wide range of training opportunities and quickly embed the knowledge they gain into practice. The manager regularly meets with her team of staff, allowing them opportunities to talk about their own well-being as well as any issues or concerns they have about the children attending the club. All staff talk of their love for working at the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff team are knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of abuse and what to do if they are concerned about a child who attends the club. Staff talk confidently about the importance of recording and reporting concerns, and the action they would take individually if required.

Staff are aware of the issues within the local community and have the knowledge to support children to remain safe outside of the club. Regular safeguarding training and conversations ensure that staff's knowledge remains up to date. The manager ensures the ongoing suitability of her staff team and has safe recruitment processes.