The Lime Trees at The Lanes

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy to see staff when they collect them from their classroom to take them to the club. Children confidently put their belongings away in the cloakroom area and settle down on the carpet area together for the register. They listen for their name and give a hearty 'good evening' to announce they are present.

Children are fully engaged with the wide range of interesting and exciting activities on offer. They are instantly attracted to the lentils with jugs and colanders. They fill and empty the receptacles and comment on how soft the lentils feel as they drizzle them through their hands.

The children thoroughly... enjoy being physical outdoors in all types of weather. They blow and chase bubbles and engage in an energetic game of football. Children make play dough with staff and then add herbs to change the dough's smell.

They comment on the sticky texture. Staff encourage children to consider ways to alter the dough's texture and suggest adding more flour. Children respond well to staff's high expectations for their behaviour.

They stop and listen to instructions when staff shake a tambourine. Children have lovely friendships and have wonderful conversations together. For example, children cuddle each other as they line up to go outdoors.

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

Staff are genuinely happy in their roles and report that they are well supported by the senior management team and the appointed well-being officer. They receive regular supervisions to review their performance and identify any training they may benefit from. Recent company training on behaviour management had a positive impact on staff practice.

Staff feedback that they now have a better understanding of why children sometimes need to let off steam.Staff give careful consideration to the layout of the club. Children enjoy sharing books together and read together in the intimacy of a small tent.

Art activities are popular and well presented, with additional resources to stimulate children's creativity. Children learn about artists, such as Peter Blake. They make badges, like this artist wears, to depict things they enjoy.

There is a wide range of toys and resources, which are accessible for children to access independently.Staff create a positive and welcoming environment for children. They are highly attentive and give each child individual attention throughout the session.

Staff constantly join in with children's games and play. They sit alongside children as they use knives safely and carefully to cut real vegetables. Staff get down to children's level as they explore sea creatures in a water tray.

They consistently offer praise and encouragement to promote children's self-esteem and build their confidence.Staff promote healthy eating. They provide a superb variety of well-balanced food choices, including a selection of fruit and salad vegetables.

Mealtimes are a relaxed and sociable event with staff and children chatting freely with each other. Children demonstrate awareness of good hygiene procedures as they wash their hands prior to eating.Staff act as positive role models and provide gentle reminders, such as 'If I'm speaking you listen to me and if you are speaking, I am listening to you', promoting conversational skills and turn taking.

Children roll a 'question dice' to prompt communication and language. For example, they ask, 'If you were an animal, what would you be?' Staff praise children for good sharing. Children take responsibility for tidying equipment before going outdoors to play.

Children behave exceptionally well in the club.Staff have excellent relationships with the host school and work effectively in partnership with the school staff. They share information about individual children's learning and how the club can complement this through activities.

This ensures continuity in care between the school and the club.Parents comment positively about the club. They say their children enjoy attending and exploring the variety of activities on offer.

Parents say they feel informed about their children's experiences. On collection, children show they have enjoyed the club as they are reluctant to leave, commenting they are having too much fun.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The management team go above and beyond to ensure that staff have a permanent reminder of all things safeguarding. Each staff member has their own 'at a glance' reference guide to all things relating to safeguarding. This includes signs and symptoms of abuse and who to call in the event of any safeguarding concern, including if they have a concern about a colleague.

Staff make regular head counts to ensure they have the correct number of children. Staff support children to know the rules in club that keep them safe. For example, children are reminded they must not go beyond the line around the perimeter of the room without consulting an adult.