The Den

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children happily chat and laugh with each other and staff as they arrive at this friendly and well-organised club. Children are well involved in club life. They follow the clear routines of the setting and show positive attitudes and a good sense of responsibility.

They store their things suitably when they arrive from school or move from the outside area. Children enjoy group time at the start of the session. They learn about other nationalities as they say hello in a new language, showing confidence and interest.

Children show good independence and are confident to do things for themselves, such as selecting items to fil...l wraps for their tea. They enjoy the social mealtimes, chatting happily with staff and their friends. Children behave extremely well.

Good manners are encouraged, and children are polite to adults and each other. They show a good understanding of the club's rules and staff expectations. They tidy and put away the resources, making sure they go in the right places.

Children of all ages play well together. Older children support younger children, such as thoughtfully sharing tips and techniques as they play ball games.

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

The experienced owner is passionate about providing high-quality care for children.

She works hard to evaluate all aspects of the club, gaining the views of staff, parents and children to help her with this. The owner continually makes positive changes to enhance the support for children's individual needs and daily experiences. She monitors staff practice carefully and leads regular staff meetings, helping to facilitate the team to work collaboratively and cohesively together.

Staff flexibly use the rooms and outside spaces. On busier days, they use the hall to give children more space to play, using the cosier 'den' upstairs when there are fewer children. They have the use of a large field, and children play their chosen team ball games on the playground.

Staff use their knowledge of the children along with children's suggestions to plan interesting activities.Staff show genuine care and respect for children. They have formed lovely bonds with the children.

They sensitively join children in their play, thoughtfully noticing if a child is at an activity alone. Children happily chat with them as they draw with chalks on the playground or build an imaginative play boat, and they appreciate their help constructing a train track.Children develop a keen interest in nature and a very good understanding of the world.

They enjoy making fruit bird feeders and talk about the birds that will eat them, knowledgeably naming different types. Staff thoughtfully help younger children to thread items and hang their feeder on the tree. Staff also lead seasonal activities in the allotment garden, where they plant and grow produce with the children.

Staff have beneficial partnerships with parents, ensuring they are consistently supported. They regularly provide parents with comprehensive newsletters. They adapt their processes in line with parents' views, such as to implement a new online system to help manage bookings.

Parents are very complimentary of the care and opportunities their children receive at the club. They say that the club goes far beyond what is expected, and they comment that the regular newsletters show how hard staff work every day to provide such rich, inspiring activities for all the children to enjoy.Links with the neighbouring school are strong.

Many of the staff work in the school and know the children who attend the club very well. They talk with teachers about children's needs and use this information to support children while at the club. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those whose circumstances require perceptive intervention are supported closely.

Staff work as an effective team and communicate well. The owner supports staff's professional development closely. Staff refresh their food safety, first-aid and child protection training regularly.

They are encouraged to pursue additional training, and, in order to facilitate this, the owner is a member of an online training company.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The owner, manager and staff understand their responsibilities to safeguard children.

Staff are aware of procedures to follow should they need to report a concern about a child or an allegation against a colleague. The owner and manager undertake higher level safeguarding training to ensure they can lead staff practice and manage concerns appropriately. They follow effective safer recruitment procedures and check the suitability of staff.

Staff assess and minimise risks in the premises and outdoor areas. The manager and owner ensure that staff always deploy themselves well to maintain excellent supervision of children. They consistently check the numbers of children as they move between environments and follow robust security procedures to keep children safe.

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