TJ Kids Home From Home in the Community

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this after-school and holiday club. They arrive safely with staff, who escort them to the club on the short walk from their school.

During these walks, children learn road safety and wear brightly coloured vests to ensure that they are clearly visible to cars. On arrival, children quickly engage in their play. They choose from the wide range of absorbing activities available.

Children are engrossed in their creative play and follow instructions well as they mould clay into bowls and pumpkins. They have areas to rest, where they can enjoy looking at books independently as they snuggle... in soft blankets. Outside, children enjoy ball games as they practise their football skills with staff, who they invite to play with them.

Children's behaviour is good. They are kind and considerate towards each other. For example, they play cooperatively in groups as they enjoy board games.

They wait patiently for their turn. Children enjoy spending time with the staff, who help them to form friendships through the 'play-pal buddy system'. Together, staff and children create 'club rules', which help to keep children safe.

Staff encourage children to risk assess their own play, to determine how to be safe in all circumstances. Children are supported to develop healthy lifestyles. Without prompting from staff, children wash their hands before snack.

They select from a healthy range of food available.

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

The well-established team is committed and experienced. Managers complete relevant checks on new staff before they start and use an induction process to effectively train staff for their role.

Staff receive regular appraisals to ensure that they remain suitable. Managers encourage staff to talk about their well-being and discuss further training opportunities. This contributes to securing a dedicated and motivated team.

Staff complete regular training, such as safeguarding and first aid, to help them keep children safe.There is an effective key-person system. During settling-in times, staff get to know children and their families as they spend time together.

Staff use these opportunities to discover children's interests, which they use to plan activities and games. This helps children to feel welcome and safe.Staff engage and interact well with children.

They spend large amounts of their time taking part in activities and playing games with children. Children are involved in planning activities and gathering the required resources. For example, during their walks, children collect leaves, which they later use to make 'leaf rubbing' pictures.

Staff regularly ask for children's views on what they would like to do and children are confident to ask for resources. This helps to make sure that the activities are tailored to the interests of the children who attend.Children benefit from exploring the local area, including parks and a nearby allotment which they call 'Wilderbase'.

Here, children enjoy a wide range of activities that incorporate nature and offer challenges to their play. For example, children help to safely build fires under the supervision of staff who have completed forest school training.Staff ensure that they provide an inclusive environment for all children.

They teach children to value all cultures as they celebrate Diwali, Chinese New Year and Halloween. Children enjoy trying new foods and practise using chop sticks. Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities comment that their children feel they can be themselves at the club.

They say that they feel comfortable to socialise with their friends in a safe and secure environment.Partnerships with the nearby school are effective. Staff gather information from parents and class teachers to help support children's needs.

Effective communication systems ensure that important information is shared between all parties, including essential medical care. This provides reassurance and continuity of care for the children and their families.Parents speak extremely positively about the club and staff.

They are pleased that children's thoughts and ideas are sought and implemented into the activity planning and resources provided. Parents describe the club as 'a really high-quality childcare service for absolutely everybody'. This gives them confidence in the care that staff provide.

The manager is reflective in her setting and uses surveys to gather parents' thoughts and ideas.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The management team follows safer recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

Staff have access to a range of policies and follow these carefully. They attend safeguarding and first-aid training to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff know how to recognise the indicators that would raise concerns about the children or the adults caring for them.

They have a good knowledge of wider safeguarding issues. They know the procedures to follow if they have any concerns. There are effective systems in place to help ensure that children are safely escorted from school to the club.