School of Play

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements This is a vibrant, busy and fun club.

Children eagerly arrive, anticipating with excitement what activities are available for them to enjoy. There is space for children to be active, complemented with quiet areas for children to relax after a busy day at school. This considerate and well-organised environment helps to ensure that all children's needs and preferences are well met.

Some children enjoy quiet 'mindful colouring' activities, chatting to their friends about their day, while others enjoy more energetic games, such as hockey and gymnastics outdoors. Children make choices about their play. They are given freedom to... play independently, selecting from a rich range of toys and games.

This variety and choice helps to promote children's confidence, self-esteem and overall enjoyment in the setting.Children of all ages mix together. They particularly enjoy playing with new friends beyond their immediate peer groups.

For instance, children collectively recall a 'brilliant' water activity they recently enjoyed altogether on the school field. Children are social and friendships flourish. Furthermore, staff manage behaviour very well.

Children understand what is expected. Staff remind children of club rules, which are understood and followed. Staff are excellent role models.

They create a highly inclusive environment, where all children thrive emotionally.

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

There is a strong and positive relationship shared between the club and host school. For instance, teachers share messages with club staff which, in turn, are passed to parents at the end of each day.

This excellent collaboration helps to ensure that children's care and learning is seamless between the school, club and home.The setting benefits from a dedicated and knowledgeable setting leader. Coupled with an ambitious team of directors, the provision is very well led.

Staff consistently reflect, evaluate and strive to continually improve. This helps to ensure a high-quality service is consistently delivered.Staff training is used effectively as a tool to improve knowledge and skills.

Online training is completed individually. Group staff meetings provide opportunity to discuss best practice ideas with colleagues. Children benefit from skilled staff, who are energetic, motivated and happy in their work.

The senior team intend to continue to build staff knowledge and skills further, through wider coaching and professional development opportunities.Partnerships with parents are excellent. This setting has effective systems in place to communicate with parents.

Parents are highly complimentary about the quality of service they receive, particularly complimenting the friendly staff and enjoyable range of activities provided for children.Risk assessments are effective. All staff understand what may present a possible risk to children and take sensible steps to minimise any possible hazards.

Children remain continually well supervised by alert and attentive staff and safety is well promoted.Familiar handwashing procedures are diligently followed by all children, helping to protect their excellent health. Furthermore, a nutritious snack is offered and children are encouraged to try new fresh fruit and vegetables, extending their positive attitude to healthy eating.

Staff are superb role models, particularly supporting children's language development very well. They continually talk to children, ask and respond to children's questions and engage in plenty of two-way discussions. Children are confident communicators, who assert their ideas and opinions in a self-assured way.

Staff are extremely friendly and children enjoy their company. Younger children enjoy reassuring cuddles. Older children confidently talk to adults about their day and share stories from home.

These warm and positive relationships shared between adults and children contribute to children's wonderful self-esteem and resilience.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

Also at this postcode