Vital Play

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff warmly welcome children to this well-organised club. As a result, children are happy and settled. They show they are familiar with the routine and quickly hang up their coats and bags before joining the rest of the group.

Staff support children to develop their independence skills well. For example, they provide a fruit snack on arrival, which children competently peel and place into a bowl. Staff support children with good hygiene practices and encourage them to wash and dry their hands before and after meals.

Children learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle when they are reminded, for example, to use soap as they... wash their hands.Staff implement rules and routines that support children to know what is expected of them. For instance, staff raise their arms to gain children's attention.

Children stop what they are doing and raise their arms in response. As a result of these clear expectations, children behave exceptionally well and there is a sense of calm at the club. Children say that they love attending the club and that they have lots of friends.

They talk to visitors about activities they enjoy, such as arts and crafts and playing outside. Children say that staff are friendly and funny.

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

Staff plan a good range of exciting activities with children's requests and interests in mind.

Children happily choose where they wish to play. For example, staff organise the environment so that children have quiet areas to relax, away from busier areas where children actively take part in art and craft activities.The manager leads an effective team.

Staff are highly motivated to provide a good experience for children. The manager meets with them before the club opens and at the end of each session to review the daily provision. They evaluate the provision effectively and consider any changes.

The manager gathers feedback from staff, parents and children on ways to improve the club. This helps to ensure improvements in the quality of service the club provides.Staff celebrate children's achievements, which helps to boost their self-esteem.

For example, staff respond enthusiastically when children thread beads onto string to make complex patterns. Children confidently delight in sharing these with others.Staff develop close bonds with their key children.

They know them well and listen to children with interest about their day at school. Staff engage children in meaningful back-and-forth conversations.Staff say that they enjoy working at the club and feel well supported by leaders.

For example, they say they have access to various training courses to build on their existing knowledge. Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings to discuss any issues or to plan training opportunities.Partnerships with parents are good.

Parents are extremely happy with the service and describe the club as an 'absolutely amazing provision'. The say that the level of care and creativity that goes into the programme, and the individual support that each child receives, is phenomenal. Parents comment that their children do not want to leave the club when they arrive to take them home.

Staff at the club work closely with the host school. They work in partnership to establish how they can meet children's individual needs and provide continuity of care. This includes sharing information about children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, so they can effectively meet their needs.

Staff use all areas of the on-site school to provide exciting opportunities to enhance children's time at the club. For example, children have access to the school library for reading and quieter activities. They are able to use the adjoining garden area to find out about nature and the natural world.

Staff ensure that children stay safe. They remind children about road safety when they walk to the club from another school. Leaders have assessed the safest route to the club to minimise the risks to children at the busiest times of the day.

Staff accompany children around the school, when necessary, so children can access all areas safely.

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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