Stepping Stones Kids Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy their time in this welcoming, friendly club. Staff collect them from their classrooms and when children arrive in the club they choose their favourite resources.

Before children go to play, staff ensure they have a healthy snack and a drink. The club aims to give children a relaxed environment, where they can spend time with their friends after a busy day in school. Children know the routines, follow instructions and are well behaved.

They have good relationships with staff and other children. Younger children have a buddy, so they soon settle and become confident in the club.Older children are very supporti...ve of younger children.

Children from different year groups enjoy activities and team games together. Staff have a good understanding of any gaps in children's learning, and they work hard to support them. For example, staff engage children in discussions during construction activities.

They encourage children to talk about what they are doing and share their ideas. This helps children develop their communication and language skills. Staff encourage children to be creative and use their imagination.

For example, they compare their construction to their own house. They talk about their bedroom and the spiders that live in the attic. Children can choose to play indoors or outside in all weathers.

They have a large space outside to run about and play team games, such as football. Children enjoy the healthy competition of games, such as dominoes, where they follow rules, play cooperatively and develop mathematical skills.

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

Staff are good role models.

They encourage children to be kind and show respect for others. They monitor children's well-being carefully through discussions with children, parents, and school staff. Staff encourage children to talk about how they feel.

They support them to find solutions to problems, for example, when there are disagreements between friends. Children are reminded of rules, such as limited time on games consoles. The experienced provider ensures the youngest children receive good support, settle well and are happy.

Staff have successful partnerships with staff in the school. They have daily discussions and meet regularly to discuss children's well-being. They share essential information through communication books to ensure continuity of care and to support children's learning.

Staff also share messages from school with parents.Staff work well as a team. They share ideas for ongoing improvements to the club.

For example, they want to obtain feedback from the children, so they have more involvement in planning. They want to further develop the links with school. They have met with the Reception teacher to discuss the phonics system schools use, so they can support children with phonics when they join the club in September.

Staff have regular supervision meetings to monitor their practice. They have access to training opportunities to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. All staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Parents are complimentary about the club. They say their children enjoy being with children from different age groups. Children have developed good friendship groups and are always happy to attend.

Parents speak highly of the welcoming staff and value the safe environment staff provide. However, parents do not come into the club and say they receive little information about the activities on offer.Staff know the children well and like spending time with them.

They follow children's interests and join in with their play. They talk to children about their home lives and their school day. For instance, the youngest children talk about their swimming lessons.

Staff discuss with them how they float when they wear their armbands. Children explain they might sink if they go in the water without them. Staff encourage children to share their ideas during creative activities, such as colouring and construction.

Staff ensure the club is an inclusive environment. They make sure all children feel welcomed and valued. This promotes children's confidence and self-esteem.

Staff work closely with school and parents to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have the support they need. Staff provide children with healthy snacks, such as rice cakes and fruit. They are aware of children's allergies and dietary needs and ensure these are met.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have updated their safeguarding training. They demonstrate a good knowledge of the signs that indicate a child might be at risk from harm or abuse.

The provider regularly checks their understanding of policies and child protection issues, such as county lines and the impact of domestic abuse. Staff know the procedures to follow if they have concerns about an adult or a child. The provider makes sure recruitment procedures are robust.

Appropriate records are now kept of suitability checks for all adults working with children. Staff help children to manage their own safety. For example, the playing field borders a public footpath and staff are vigilant about who children might talk to through the fence.

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