The Arc Childcare

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children show they are happy to see staff, who greet them by name when they collect them from their classrooms. They eagerly talk to staff about their day at school.

Children listen and follow instructions when staff ask them to put their belongings in allocated spaces. This shows that children have positive relationships with staff and feel secure in their care. Children freely access the activities that staff make available to them.

They show high levels of engagement and their creative skills as they cut around shapes, draw and add glitter to Christmas cards. Staff support children's understanding of how to use scissors... safely as they cut out noses for their pretend snowmen. Children are kind and encouraging to one another as they compliment their friend's work, saying, 'Wow, that's beautiful'.

Children are keen to involve staff in their play. They enjoy the staff's company as they play games together, modelling how to share. For example, children giggle when they take turns to carefully remove pretend body parts from a game without making it 'buzz'.

Children have opportunities to be physically active, such as in the host school playground. Children state that they enjoy running around and climbing on the trim trail. They tell visitors how staff keep them safe by helping them balance and encouraging them to have a go.

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

Staff provide a wide range of activities to meet the needs and interests of the children. Children tell visitors they can relax and do what they enjoy when they attend the club. The staff engage with the children and support them in their chosen activities.

For instance, children explore and find out how to make a variety of patterns and shapes using playdough, as they pinch, pat and poke using their hands.Staff give children choices, encouraging their opinions to be heard in the club. For example, children vote on what activities they want to play with, helping to give them a sense of independence and ownership.

Staff provide children with a wide range of books. Older children read stories to their peers. Staff help children to understand the story, for example asking them questions and introducing new vocabulary.

This helps children to develop a love of books.Overall, staff have positive relationships with teachers at the host school. For example, they share pertinent information about children's safety and care.

However, staff do not obtain information about children's learning experiences at school. This means staff do not complement the learning children receive during the day.Staff promote children's independence well.

For example, staff encourage children to independently wash their hands and put on their coats.Staff help children to understand the importance of keeping hydrated. For example, staff provide children unlimited access to drinking water and encourage them to drink regularly.

Mealtimes are a sociable experience. Children sit together and enjoy healthy meals and snacks as they talk with their friends about their interests.Staff encourage children to work together to develop club boundaries and rules.

For example, children agree that they need to be kind to each other, share toys and use their indoor walking feet.Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour and, as a result, children behave well. Children enjoy the praise they receive from staff.

For instance, staff clap their hands to gain the children's attention when the routine changes. Children stop what they are doing to listen to instructions, quickly tidying away resources and games before moving on to the next activity.Partnerships with parents are effective.

For example, staff gather information from parents about children's interests and needs. They use this information to plan interesting and engaging activities. Staff keep parents informed about their children's experiences at the club.

Parents comment positively about the club and know their children are happy and safe.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding and understand the signs and symptoms of abuse.

They keep up to date with training that helps them to understand their responsibilities to keep children safe. The manager and staff know the procedures to follow if they are worried about a child's welfare. This includes staff knowing the correct procedure to follow if an allegation of abuse is made against a colleague.

Systems are in place to ensure that children are not collected by unknown or unauthorised people. Children are supervised well. Staff risk assess the environment to help identify and remove potential hazards to children.

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