School Buddies

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy at the club. Staff are extremely kind, caring and nurturing, which makes children feel safe and secure.

Children take part in a wide range of activities. Many of the activities are planned to complement children's learning at school. For example, children play imaginatively with the 'teddy bears' picnic', which links to their school topic.

They also enjoy reading stories about bears and develop their creativity as they use different materials to make colourful bear pictures. Children are listened to at the club. This is particularly evident during their 'show and tell' sessions.

During the inspe...ction, children shared exciting news about their holiday destinations, such as a trip to Scotland in a caravan. They also felt confident to share sad news about their toy bumble bee with a broken leg. This dilemma generated lots of empathy from older children who were quick to offer solutions.

They are good role models for the younger children and interact with them throughout the session. As a result, children are extremely happy and play harmoniously with their friends. Children are very well behaved and their manners are impeccable.

They know the rules and respect them, which helps them to understand boundaries from a young age.

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

Staff work well as a team. They are effectively deployed and offer children good levels of support.

As a result, children are thoroughly engaged in their chosen activities and the club sessions run smoothly.Staff have forged excellent relationships with the teachers at school. This partnership works particularly well for children who are new to the club.

For example, the manager visits children in their classroom before they start at the club. If children are a little anxious when they are settling in, a member of staff takes them back to their classroom until they feel settled. However, children quickly gain confidence and enjoy the exciting club environment.

Children enjoy a suitable range of hot and cold snacks, which promote their good health. The 'rolling-snack' time is treated as a social occasion. Children who choose to have snack, sit together and enjoy chatting to their friends.

Those who want to play, can have snack later in the session. As a result, their play is not disrupted.Staff offer a wide selection of books and narratives that children thoroughly enjoy.

Books are available in all areas, which complement children's learning at school. They handle books with care and enjoy reading favourite stories, such as 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'. At other times, children select books about their favourite superheroes, which reinforces their love of reading.

Children also have access to the club's computer which has educational programs, such as the school's reading scheme. This offers children the opportunity to practise their reading.Parents are happy that their children enjoy coming to the club.

One parent explained, 'staff are amazing, my children love coming to the club'. Parents also appreciate the flexible childcare arrangements and that staff offer extra sessions at short notice. Staff warmly greet parents as they arrive at the club and take time to talk to them about their child's day.

This partnership working ensures that children benefit from continuity in their care.Children are well behaved and show respect for each other. For example, they form an orderly queue as they line up to wash their hands before snack.

The older children look out for the younger ones, which gives them a sense of belonging. Children also benefit from first-hand experiences that help them to learn about other faiths and religions. For example, staff talk to the children about the different festivals they celebrate and why.

They also plan meaningful activities, such as making Eid cards, so that children can celebrate this exciting festival with their friends.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff work closely with the teachers at school to ensure children are safe.

They collect children from Reception and Year 1 at the end of the day, which means they are not left unsupervised. All staff are up to date with child protection training and understand the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about a child's well-being. The manager, who is responsible for child protection, works closely with the deputy headteacher.

This partnership working means that any concerns are communicated swiftly. The manager and staff also implement rigourous risk assessments so that children's safety is assured in the club. For example, children do not have access to the large apparatus in the playground, which is not suitable for young children.

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