The Lime Trees at Lady Cross

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements After a busy day at school, staff collect children from their classroom. Children are excited and full of enthusiasm on arrival at the club. Staff establish warm and caring relationships with children and their parents.

They provide an environment that is calm and well organised. This helps the children to feel relaxed after a productive day at school.Staff talk to the children about their school day and engage in conversations with them.

Children choose what they wish to play with from the range of appealing and varied resources. They show high levels of motivation and concentration. This is evident as children make woode...n spoon puppets.

Staff support children to use scissors and help them resolve any problems. For example, they help children to work out how to make ribbon stick to their spoons and create strips for 'tiger puppets'. Children enjoy many opportunities to play outdoors, where they benefit from fresh air and exercise.

They play well together as they learn new skills, such as catching and hitting a ball. Staff demonstrate how to do this and encourage the children to have a go. Children enjoy being together with their friends, which is reflected in their positive behaviour.

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

Club leaders have a well-established and strong partnership with the host school where children attend. There are robust arrangements in place for sharing relevant information between the school and the club. Particularly for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Staff talk to the class teachers to help meet the children's needs. This provides a consistent approach to promoting children's care, safety and well-being.Leaders ensure staff are suitable to work with children.

They train staff on their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the signs that indicate children may be at risk of abuse or neglect. They confidently describe the actions they must follow if they have any concerns.

Children have opportunities to be physically active or engage in quieter activities according to their interests. Staff provide opportunities that complement children's learning at school. For example, younger children develop their small-muscle skills and hand-eye coordination.

They play happily with the play dough, strengthening their fingers and hands as they pretend to make pancakes and try to flip them. They thoroughly enjoy this and giggle as their pancake lands on the floor or in the pan.The children are well-behaved.

Staff consistently encourage children to follow the club rules. For example, they talk to them about what they expect from them at the start of each session. This helps children to respect their friends and the adults looking after them.

Children routinely use good manners when talking with staff and their peers. Older children are kind and caring towards younger children. They are keen to help the younger children and give them practical help if they need it.

Staff offer children a range of healthy snacks, such as fruit and wraps, which take account of children's special dietary requirements and allergies. Children come together as a group for snack time and independently choose what they want to eat. They spread butter on their crackers and pour their drinks.

Staff encourage good hygiene practices. Children learn why it is important to wash their hands regularly.Parents say that their children enjoy coming to the club.

They comment that their children come home with things they have made and talk about what they have played with. Parents appreciate that the staff know the children well and care for them safely.Staff work well as a team.

The leaders support staff well. They offer them regular supervision and training. For example, staff have recently attended training on 'play' and say this has altered the way they plan for the activities they provide.

Staff enjoy working at the club and comment they very much appreciate the support leaders give them.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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