Sunflower After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy their time at the club. They tell the inspector that they particularly like the opportunities to play with friends and take part in their favourite activities.

They comment that they like how 'the grown-ups play too!'.Children focus for extended periods on activities of their choosing. They often play cooperatively with friends and include other children of different ages in their play.

Children demonstrate perseverance in difficult tasks. For example, they concentrate as they play a game, taking turns to remove wooden bricks from a tall tower. Children take pride in their achievements.

They ask sta...ff to take photographs of models or constructions they are proud of. For instance, a group of children carefully stack and balance a large number of animal toys on a boat in the water tray. They ask staff to take a photograph and then challenge another group of children to have a go.

From a young age, children treat each other with kindness and respect. During mealtimes, they offer each other plates of cut-up vegetables and fruit. Children enjoy taking responsibility for buttering their own toast and serving themselves drinks.

They are helpful and assist staff to tidy the hall and put toys away carefully.

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

Staff create a calm and relaxed environment for children to unwind after a long day at school. They create set areas for different activities, such as craft tables and large spaces for construction play with bricks.

This enables children to play without disruption from others.Staff work effectively with colleagues in the host school. Some of the staff at the after-school club also work in the school.

This helps to promote a shared approach and provides children with continuity of familiar adults throughout their day. Staff use a consistent approach to behaviour management and update parents with any messages from school.Children are familiar with the club's routines and develop good independence.

For instance, they know they must wear special yellow sashes when going outside. They explain to the inspector that these help identify them as club members and help them to be seen. Children recognise and recall rules that help to keep them safe.

They delight in playing energetically outdoors and benefit from plenty of fresh air and physical exercise.The committee and manager regularly seek feedback from parents and children to shape the provision. Recently, they have used questionnaires to develop ideas about their menus and to review the toys provided for older children.

Staff consider children's interests in their activity planning, as well as introducing interesting themes such as 'space' or 'oceans'.Children build positive relationships with staff. They engage in conversations about a range of topics, including the book they are reading, their ideas for building huge models, or events happening at home.

Parents speak highly of the club's staff. They praise the variety of activities and how much their children look forward to attending.Policies and procedures are shared with parents via the club's website and noticeboards.

The arrangements for supporting less-experienced staff are not implemented as well as possible to strengthen and develop the quality of their interactions to the highest level.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager ensures that staff have a clear understanding of child protection issues and what to do if they have any concerns about a child's welfare or the behaviour of an adult.

The committee members and the manager ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place to promote a strong safeguarding culture. This includes the safe use of mobile phones and cameras within the setting. All committee members and staff have appropriate suitability checks in place.

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