Squirrels St Marys

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff create a warm, welcoming and safe environment for children to play, explore and relax in.

They have high expectations of children and aim to challenge them in their play. Children enter the club happily, settle quickly and talk about their school day with staff and their friends. The manager is committed to meeting the individual needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

She thoughtfully considers the environment to ensure all children can freely and independently access resources and take part in social times in their own way.Children are happy to attend the cl...ub. They enjoy choosing their own activities and spend time playing with their friends.

For example, children particularly enjoy being creative. They take part in a range of craft activities and enjoy dressing up and using their imagination. Children of all ages play well together.

Older children are keen and very willing to help younger children. For example, older children show care and consideration when a younger child falls over and check that they are okay. Children have fun as they thread wool onto card to make a pom-pom.

They concentrate well and remain focused on the activity. They develop their physical skills outdoors as they play football and climb using school equipment. Staff freely join in with children's games and, indoors, children freely approach staff asking for help.

For example, children ask for staff's assistance when trying to build a play box boat.

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

Children thoroughly enjoy the activities available to them, particularly the opportunities to be creative. They confidently use scissors as they cut out pieces of fabric to make different types of clothing.

They discuss if these clothes are to be worn during winter or summer, and dress mannequins and dolls accordingly. Children concentrate intently as they design and create. They work hard to complete their artwork and are praised by staff for their hard work and efforts.

Children enjoy being outdoors. They play cooperatively in groups, for example boys challenge each other to a game of football. Younger children practise balancing skills on the tyres and chase each other around.

This helps to develop their physical and social skills effectively. Children know that, following a healthy snack, they will be able to participate in favourite activities.Staff are dedicated, enthusiastic and work well together.

There is a real sense of teamwork as they decide on and organise their roles and responsibilities. Staff deploy themselves well and ensure that they engage positively with children in the array of activities available. They talk to children about what they are doing, model language and ask questions.

Staff are positive role models and help children understand what is expected of them. The links staff make with the school's routines and ethos support children to behave very well. They are polite and considerate, and they understand how they should treat each other with friendly respect.

The manager has built effective and beneficial working relationships with the host school. She uses these professional partnerships to ensure continuity of care for all children, including those with SEND. Regular communication and information sharing mean children's needs are swiftly met and reasonable adjustments can be made to ensure all children feel comfortable.

Staff evaluate what they offer children and ask parents and children for their views to help to improve the club. They consider children's requests and listen to their ideas. For example, children say that they want to do a specific craft activity and staff ensure this is available and that all children can take part, if they choose.

Managers complete regular supervision meetings with staff to monitor their overall performance. However, there is scope to improve how their professional development is targeted, for example to help further raise the quality of staff interactions with children during play.Parents are very happy with the overall quality of the club.

For example, they comment that 'staff are fantastic and provide an excellent environment'. Staff keep parents well informed through daily conversations and also send updates via newsletters. These positive relationships help to promote strong communication and continuity of care successfully.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff understand their responsibilities to help protect children from harm. They ensure their knowledge stays current and detailed.

For instance, staff can identify any signs or symptoms which may indicate that a child may be being abused. They also confidently understand the procedures to follow should they have an allegation against another member of staff, or a member of the management team. Staff build strong, genuine relationships with children.

This helps to ensure they recognise any changes in behaviour that children display, which may cause concern. The club premises are very secure and access is only granted to known or verified people. This helps to minimise the risk of harm to children.

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