Vara Education

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children happily come into this calm and friendly club after a busy day at school. Staff support children to follow the familiar routine. They confidently put their belongings away and go to wash their hands, ready for snack.

Staff know children very well and plan a range of exciting activities, which meet their interests. For example, younger children cheer with delight as they race cars on the mat. Older children make pictures and talk about their day at school.

Staff build strong bonds with the children. This supports children to feel safe, secure and happy during their time at the club.Staff regularly seek children's v...iews about what they enjoy in the club and what activities they like to do.

For example, in a recent questionnaire completed by the children, they asked for more options for snack. Leaders swiftly added some hot food options to the menu. Children comment that they look forward to pizza nights and the regular 'theme nights'.

This is an opportunity for children to taste different food from other countries. They excitedly talk about which is their favourite food as they try curry, rice and poppadoms.Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour and support them to follow the club rules.

Children are kind and considerate to their friends. They share ideas and chat happily as they play. Staff encourage children to use manners as they say please and thank you to their friends.

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

The manager regularly evaluates the provision in order to provide the best experience for the children. Daily team meetings, before and at the end of the session, enable staff to discuss what works well and plan for future activities. For example, following staff noticing that younger children found a cutting activity challenging, staff planned activities to support them to develop scissor skills.

This means children have opportunities to practise their skills over time.Parents say they are extremely happy with the care and activities provided at the club. They comment that staff are 'approachable and friendly' and their children enjoy their time there.

Regular communication through daily feedback, newsletters and questionnaires, give parents opportunities to share their views. This promotes positive relationships with parents.Staff well-being is a priority.

Staff say they love their job and feel very well supported by leaders. Regular supervisions enable staff to discuss their progress. Staff have many opportunities for training to further their professional development.

This supports staff to build on their knowledge and skills.Children enjoy lots of opportunities to play outdoors and take part in games on the field. Staff frequently teach them about the positive effects of exercise on their body.

Children develop their self-care skills as they pour their own drinks, scrape leftovers into the bin and put their plates in the washing-up bowl. They choose between milk and water and learn about the effects of sugary drinks on their teeth. This helps children to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Children choose from a range of resources and activities on offer. Older children use paper and tape to make their own creations. For example, children decide to make flags.

They roll the paper to make the pole and use tape to stick their flag design on top. This supports children to be creative and use their imagination. Children feel proud of what they have made and staff celebrate their achievements by displaying their creations on the board.

This supports children to feel valued.Staff work closely with the school. They pass on important information to parents from teachers about children.

They adopt the school's behaviour strategies to provide a consistent approach. However, staff do not gather information about what children are currently learning in school, to complement their learning further.Children enjoy time reading books and sharing stories with their peers.

For example, younger children sit on the comfy chairs at the end of the session as they look through a book. Staff initiate conversations and spend time talking to the children about their likes and interests. Younger children ask older children questions and they happily respond.

This supports children's communication and language skills.

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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