Smartkidz @ Ridgefield

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy to attend the club.

They receive a warm welcome and settle readily to the freely accessible activities on offer. Children are friendly and confident. They are keen to share with other people what they have made, who their friends are, and get them involved in their play ideas.

Children take part in physically active games, where they create the rules for themselves and ensure that everyone who wants to, gets a turn.Staff sensitively support all children to join in and take part. Children behave very well and all age groups play harmoniously together for the majority of the time.

Staff are positi...ve role models for children and very sensitively manage any occasional disputes that arise. Children respond positively to routines and boundaries, to keep themselves and others safe. Children take great pride in their achievements, such as when they work together to construct and create a large, intricate model and think of different features to add.

For example, they comment, 'Look, I've made an invention, a catapult to launch things' and then search for something to resemble 'exploding dynamite'.

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

The provider and manager have a clear aim for the club. This is underpinned by an approach that aims to improve children's social and emotional development and increase their emotional resilience.

Children's self-directed play and choice of activities is given high value. Staff involve themselves in children's play when they are invited or when they observe that they can add value to that play. Staff offer a planned schedule of interesting activities, such as making ice lollies and fairground games, for those that wish to take part.

The manager and playleader support their staff effectively. All staff receive regular supervisions to promote their well-being and professional development. Staff are encouraged to reflect, evaluate and make plans for the ongoing development and improvement of the club.

Children enjoy the staff's company during their chosen activities. For example, children delight as staff create beaded patterns alongside them and talk about the different colours and shapes they are using. Children show much perseverance and patience as they carefully place the tiny beads in the appropriate place.

Children are very imaginative and put much thought into their creations. For example, they construct models using a variety of resources and work together when they need help. Children become deeply involved in pretend play.

They assign each other roles and listen to each other's instructions. For example, while one child takes 'orders' for their 'restaurant' and uses the pretend tannoy microphone to announce the orders, another child produces the orders in the play kitchen.Children enjoy free-flow outdoor activities to promote their good health.

These are supervised well to ensure their safety. Children are able to expel energy and enjoy physical exercise that provides challenge and an appropriate level of risk.The club has adapted practices in light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

For example, parents drop off and collect their children at the gate. Staff are mindful of the effect this may have on the children. They ensure that each child is warmly greeted and taken into the club to help settle at activities.

Children are clear about the hygiene procedures in place to ensure both their own and staff's continued good health.Staff promote a wholeheartedly inclusive provision. They are fully aware of each child's individual needs and know them well.

Staff work closely with the host school and parents to ensure that children are able to fully participate in all that the club offers.Children say that they enjoy attending the club, the activities on offer and the opportunity to see their friends. Staff use innovative ways to gain the views and contributions of children.

For example, they encourage children to write down their requests for activities and resources. They post these on a wall where they can be reviewed and used by staff for the planning of the provision.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

All staff have a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, how and where to report any concerns, and wider safeguarding issues. Staff have received appropriate training to enable them to safeguard children from harm, abuse and neglect. This includes the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about the behaviour of a colleague towards children.

Recruitment procedures are robust, which ensures children are cared for by suitable adults. Risk assessments are effective. These are carefully considered so that children are able to experience riskier activities but in a safe and supervised way.

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