The Village Kids Club @ The Holt

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are keen to arrive in this relaxing and friendly club. They know the routine when they arrive, showing that they feel safe and secure.

Children place their bags and coats in the allocated space and sit down for a registration group time. Children are excited to share their thoughts and achievements with their peers and staff. For example, they tell them that they received a handwriting pen at school and show pride when everyone claps, praising their achievements.

Children show respect for others and listen intently to what they have to say. They put their hand up and wait patiently until it is their turn to share ...their thoughts and views. Children are keen to explore and investigate the activities and toys offered.

They use puzzle pieces to create their own animal shapes and ask staff and visitors to guess what they make. Children give staff and visitors clues, such as 'It lives in the sea.' They smile when visitors guess correctly and ask if it is a shark.

Children are excited to use pipettes and syringes when they play with ice and warm water. They show good hand and eye coordination when they add warm water to melt the ice, which leads on to discussions about global warming. Children demonstrate their imagination when they manipulate play dough.

They tell visitors that they are making a blue blueberry pizza.

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

Staff encourage children to take part in developing the 'golden rules' in the club; this includes to be kind. Children show their understanding of the rules, helping them to behave positively.

They say that to be kind, they will help a child if they fall over or help at snack time.Children have positive relationships with staff. They are keen to join them at activities.

However, there are times during the daily routine when staff do not fully support children to build on their social skills and independence. For example, staff occasionally take on a supervisory role instead of supporting children's interactions at snack time. They do not fully encourage children to complete tasks for themselves.

Staff find out what children are learning at school during the day. They provide children with experiences to complement this learning, such as to develop control and precision when they use scissors. For example, children show concentration and determination when they use scissors to cut pieces in a tangram paper puzzle.

When children first start attending, staff sit with them to complete an 'All About Me' form. Children tell staff about themselves and their interests. Staff use this information to provide activities they know children enjoy, such as dolls.

This helps children to feel emotionally secure when they first start.Staff offer children a range of healthy foods and drinks to promote their good health. Children say that their favourite snack is pitta bread, cucumber, ham and cheese.

However, staff do not share information with parents about what foods their children are offered, to help keep them fully informed about their children's day.Staff help children to understand how they can keep themselves safe. For example, they talk to children about road safety, the importance of wearing a helmet when they ride bicycles and internet safety.

Children say that if someone tries to speak to them when they are online, they must tell a member of staff.The provider, manager and staff reflect on the experiences children receive in the club. They make improvements to enhance opportunities for children.

For example, a laptop has been purchased to support children's interests in playing games and to complete their homework from school.The provider invites staff to attend supervision meetings to discuss their practice. This helps staff for example to reflect on their interactions with children and to discuss any concerns they may have.

Staff say that they feel supported with their well-being.Parents say that their children have fun at the club and that their children get sad if they are not going. They appreciate that staff are friendly and approachable.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The provider ensures that the manager and staff are able to recognise safeguarding concerns. She provides them with in-house training to help keep their knowledge current.

The manager and staff show an understanding of how to identify if children are subject to harm or abuse. They recognise signs that could suggest a child is being drawn into radicalisation or extreme views. All staff have completed first-aid training and there is a first-aid box that is easily accessible.

This gives staff the knowledge and equipment to deal with a minor medical incident. Staff checks the toys and equipment when they set them out daily. This helps to promote children's safety.

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