West Hill Life Ltd

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy the time they spend in the after-school club. They are happy, safe and secure in the warm and welcoming environment. Children benefit from a wide range of activities, both inside and out.

Outside, children can climb, play a range of games and participate in sports activities, in the fresh air. Inside, children of different ages use the tea-set to have a 'celebration' for their birthdays. They share out the cups and plates, making sure that everyone has one of each.

Others delight in making Christmas pictures with glitter and glue, to take home for their parents. Children use the different construction toys t...o create spaceships and other structures. Relationships within the club are positive.

Children say they all get on well together and help each other. Older children are sensitive and caring towards the younger ones. For instance, they show younger children how to hold a table-tennis bat to hit the ball with greater accuracy.

Behaviour is good and children are respectful to the adults in charge. For example, they recognise and act on, the signal for tidying up in preparation for tea. Leaders hold regular meetings with staff to discuss their practice and training needs.

Staff say they are well supported in pursuing areas of training they feel would help to improve their knowledge and skills.

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

Children understand and follow established routines. For example, they put their coats and bags tidily on the floor before sitting on the chairs when they come into the setting.

Before mealtimes, they follow the handwashing routine. Mealtimes are sociable. Children sit and chat about the day's experiences.

Parents say their children thoroughly enjoy their time at the club and are disappointed when they cannot attend. They are confident their children are safe and well cared for. Parents say that staff are approachable and keep them informed about their child's experiences at the club.

They are regularly asked for their views via questionnaires.A healthy diet is provided for children. At times, children are not given opportunities to develop independence, such as cutting up the vegetables for their wraps, pouring their own drinks, or serving themselves at mealtimes.

Children know the importance of eating healthily, 'to keep our bodies strong.' Staff take into account the feedback children give them from questionnaires. For example, children asked for more craft activities and these are now regularly incorporated into the daily experiences on offer.

However, staff do not always ask children what toys and activities they would like to see available on a daily basis. For instance, some children felt that the tea-set was not out as often as they would like.Staff support children's communication and use of language skills effectively.

During circle time, children understand when it is their turn to talk and when to listen. They know not to interrupt when their friend is talking. Staff question children well to encourage them to provide more detail about their activities, to help to improve their speaking skills.

Children are challenged to develop and improve upon their physical skills and coordination. For instance, staff help children to accurately aim the ball over the net and towards the person on the other side. Children smile with pleasure when they are successful.

Staff are good role models. They speak clearly to help to support pronunciation skills. Staff routinely model good manners, setting a positive example for children to follow.

There are strong relationships between the club and the host school. Information is shared and this helps to support a consistency of care.Children and staff enjoy each other's company.

They laugh together as they all join in with action songs and rhymes. They look at a scrapbook they are making of all the things they have been doing at the club since September, smiling as they share memories. Children were especially excited about painting the clay figures they had made recently.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Recent training has ensured that staff have a thorough understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including those of radicalisation. They know what to do and the agencies to inform, if they have any concerns about a child's safety or welfare.

The nominated individual implements robust recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. If staff have worries about the conduct of a colleague, including the manager or nominated individual, they know the steps to follow to report their concerns. Appropriate risk assessments are in place to help to keep children safe while on the premises.

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