Shotley Bridge After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and thoroughly enjoy the time they spend at this welcoming and friendly club. For example, children from different local schools arrive excited and enthusiastic to seek out their friends. Parents say their children forge lovely friendships with each other and play cooperatively.

The caring manager creates a safe and welcoming environment for all children and takes personal responsibility to ensure the youngest children are fully supported. For instance, she makes sure there is always a comfy spot for them to relax if they are tired when they arrive, and ensures they always have plenty of fresh water to drink. Rel...ationships between all the staff and children are caring and responsive.

Staff know the children very well and are invited to play alongside them. They listen to their thoughts and ideas, and clearly have fun together.Children behave very well.

Staff encourage them to be independent and take responsibility for themselves. Children demonstrate consideration and care for others. For example, they are polite, helpful and respectful towards one another during snack time and when they play board games.

Older children happily help out staff, friends and younger children without prompt. Additionally, staff consistently support children to develop an awareness of the ways they can help to keep themselves and others safe.

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

The small team have a shared commitment in providing a quality service for the children and their families, which is fully supported by the dedicated provider.

She is very open to suggestions on ways to improve the club from children, parents and staff. Staff work as a cohesive team and have a very good understanding of their responsibilities to keep children safe and secure.Staff establish very positive relationships with children.

Children respond well to their caring approach, which supports their emotional well-being. Staff help children, especially younger ones, to be familiar with the well-established routines and to know what is expected of them. Younger children demonstrate they feel safe, secure and happy.

Staff support them to be independent in their care practices and this helps boost their self-confidence.Staff listen attentively to children and take their choices and interests into consideration when planning activities inside and outdoors. Additionally, they provide activities that complement children's learning and interests from school.

For example, children have opportunities to practise using their imaginations and design skills as they create racing cars and super-hero vehicles from metal construction sets. Younger children continue to perfect their writing skills as they draw pictures and write stories for their friends and families.Children are motivated and eager to join in with the many craft activities staff prepare.

For instance, younger children show great enjoyment in helping to create a giant-sized space picture. Children of all ages work together with the talented staff, painting, sticking and printing, and are clearly thrilled with the finished artwork.Staff encourage children to think about healthy lifestyles.

For example, they provide a fresh fruit bowl that children can eat freely from throughout the session. Staff make the most of snack times to support children's enjoyment and social skills. Children say 'please' and 'thank you' and chat together beautifully without being prompted by staff.

Parents comment very positively about the club and the friendly, caring staff. They state they feel secure in the knowledge that their children are safe at the club and always want to attend.The manager makes full use of the support available to her and works closely with other professionals when needed.

For instance, she works alongside school special educational needs and disabilities coordinators to support the care needs of individual children who attend the club.

Safeguarding

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