The Valley Nursery at Pelton Primary

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the club. They comment that they enjoy the craft activities that they do. Other children talk about playing football with their friends outside.

Children say that they really like the manager and staff. They quickly settle to activities when they arrive in the club and demonstrate good concentration overall. Younger children demonstrate this as they return to activities that they started before going to pick up older children from school with staff.

Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, older children remind younger children to walk to one side of the corridor to a...void becoming lost from the group. They hold the doors open for each other as they walk through school.

Older children treat younger children with respect. For example, they talk to them as they play in the play dough. They share and take turns with the play dough tools.

Children have good relationships with staff and feel confident to talk to them about things that worry them. During the inspection, older children talk to the manager about forthcoming school assessments. The manager listens carefully and provides reassurance.

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

Staff talk to children to find out what they want to do in the club. For example, they plan craft and play dough activities to support children's interests. Children thoroughly enjoy painting Union Jack flags or making play dough ice cream.

Children learn how to keep themselves healthy. They have plenty of opportunities for fresh air and exercise. For example, children thoroughly enjoy playing football outside.

They learn the importance of washing their hands and confidently do this before eating. They eat a range of healthy meals.Children behave well, overall.

Staff generally take time to remind children of the rules and expectations and explain why the rules are in place. For example, they take time to explain why it is important to sit on the chairs properly. However, occasionally, staff do not make the best use of all opportunities to remind children of the importance of following the rules.

For example, when staff register the children, children are reminded to listen. However, staff do not act swiftly enough when older children start to talk again. This occasionally distracts younger children.

Staff provide a range of interesting and enjoyable activities to support children's interests. For example, they provide activities to support children's interest in insects. However, there are occasions when staff do not consider ways that they can help children to maintain high levels of concentration.

For example, they provide too many resources. This sometimes distracts children.Staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to talk and communicate with others.

When younger children arrive at the club, staff play alongside them and talk to them about their day. Children communicate confidently as they talk about the different classes as they walk around school with staff to collect the older children.Staff develop a good working relationship with parents.

Parents value the feedback that they get at the end of the session. They say that they like how staff talk to them about what their children have been doing and give feedback on how they have been during the session.The manager observes staff and identifies weaknesses in staff practice and takes effective action to address any weaknesses.

She provides support and training to staff to help them to develop their knowledge and skills. She identifies further professional development opportunities to strengthen practice further. For example, staff have recently started training to help them to manage children's behaviour more effectively.

The manager and staff have a very good relationship with the on-site school. The manager works in the school as well and this helps to provide continuity for children and parents. Staff talk to teachers and other school staff about what children are doing in school and what they are interested in.

They plan activities to complement the learning further.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a good understanding of how to keep children safe.

Entrance points to the club from school and the car park are secure. This prevents unauthorised visitors entering the premises. Staff supervise children well, particularly when they are outside or go to the toilets outside of the club room.

Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that may suggest that a child is suffering from abuse. They attend a range of training to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. They know the local procedures, should they have a concern about a child in their care.

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