The Drop Off

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children from different local schools attend this well-managed before- and after-school provision.

They display a strong sense of belonging and enthusiasm as they arrive at the club at the end of the school day. Children make good friendships and form trusting relationships with staff. Children benefit extremely well from the 'youth club' feeling, with play-based opportunities for all ages of children attending.

They are provided with excellent standards of care and high aspirations from the staff team. Children, including those with additional needs, settle quickly, with a clear understanding of expectations, rules and ro...utines. Children's behaviour is very good and they model themselves on the excellent staff practice.

Children demonstrate that they feel valued and have high levels of confidence. This enables children to become excellent communicators and develop an understanding of their own and other people's feelings. Children use their imaginative and creative skills well.

They combine materials such as orange sand and blue slime to represent goldfish in the sea. Children are highly motivated in their play. They demonstrate sustained periods of concentration and cooperative play as they work together with their friends.

Children thrive on the well-designed activities and experiences. Their personal interests are taken into consideration and staff engage with children in a positive, supportive and meaningful way.

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

Staff provide for children's individual needs and interests very well.

For example, children help to choose activities such as small-world fairy gardens and construction. This extends play-based opportunities with friends. Children develop speech, imagination and construction skills well.

For example, they talk about the resources they need to make their 'Love Bug' and add googly eyes and pipe cleaners for legs.Children are eager to try new activities and join in with adults. Staff encourage children to develop their own ways of doing things and praise them on their achievements.

For example, children design and create their own spaceships using small plastic bricks and are proud to show these off to the adults and their friends.Staff play with children in a positive way and help them develop new skills, especially in group games such as 'tail tag'. They help children persevere when challenges occur.

Children who require extra help with activities are well supported. For example, staff carefully guide children to help thread beads onto string. This ensures that children are made to feel equal in their achievements.

Well-being and happiness are a high priority in this club for staff and children.Before children start the club, staff gather a wealth of information from parents about their children's individual needs and interests. Staff use this knowledge of cultures and traditions to celebrate these positively within the club, enabling children to feel safe, secure and happy.

Children talk positively about coming to the club and enjoy their time here. This is reflected in the attitudes of the parents, who praise the club for the variety of activities it offers. Staff pass on relevant messages to parents, which enables consistency in children's care.

Children are independent. They help themselves to snacks, pour their own drinks and wash up after mealtimes. Children often help with cooking meals.

This helps them understand how to keep healthy. Staff help children to make choices and promote ways to keep safe online.Managers have high aspirations for the future.

They reflect on the club's strengths and weaknesses effectively, to provide excellent motivation and passion for developing the club. Managers consider the views of children in this process. However, parents' views are not always considered in the self-evaluation process when making future plans for the club.

Children support each other well. For example, older children help younger children to use tools to cut out shapes in card. This enables children to develop respect for each other and acquire skills they need for future learning.

Children take risks and spend as much time as possible outdoors. Accidents are well documented and staff complete effective risk assessments for the setting and when they are out on trips. However, managers do not make the best use of the accident records to monitor patterns or trends of individual children, in order to minimise further risks to them.

The club staff plan many exciting opportunities for the children in the local environment. For example, children visit beaches and theme parks and have spa days. Managers work well in partnership with other agencies to continue to provide variety and excellence in the club.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Managers ensure that all staff members have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their responsibilities regarding child protection. There are clear and robust policies and procedures in place, so staff know what to do if they have any concerns about a child's welfare.

Staff know the signs to look out for and understand wider child protection risks, including the 'Prevent' duty and internet safety. Children are supervised well, and the club is suitable and secure. Managers work closely with the on-site school staff to keep themselves up to date with changes to safeguarding legislation.

Also at this postcode