Westways After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy their time at the club and have trusting relationships with the staff.

They happily approach staff for help or guidance. This shows that children feel safe. Children have access to an extremely good range of resources.

Staff plan activities that take into consideration the interests of children and their abilities. These are all accessible for the children, so that they can make choices, which encourages their independence. Staff promote positive behaviour well.

They are good role models and speak to children with respect in a calm and nurturing way. They get down to the child's level and talk with ...them about what they are doing. They encourage children to play together, share toys and take turns.

Children are cooperative with one another. For example, they use construction toys and talk about what they are going to build to achieve a result. Children wait patiently for their turn at table tennis and older children support the younger ones in how to play.

As a result, relationships between the children are strong.

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

Management and staff effectively evaluate the service they provide and look for ways to improve. They seek the views of children and parents and incorporate their ideas into practice.

The manager and her staff have worked as a team to address the actions from the previous inspection successfully.The manager and staff benefit from regular supervision meetings. Training is encouraged to enhance staff's skills and knowledge, which is then used to benefit the children.

Recent training has enhanced staff's understanding of safeguarding children, which further protects children.Children look forward to outdoor play. They often choose to play outside for extended periods of time.

The outdoor space is safe and staff supervise the children well. Children play ball games, ride bikes and use balancing equipment, among many other activities. There is a good amount of space for children to run around, exercise their bodies and improve their physical skills.

Staff and children enjoy playing together. However, occasionally, children, who are reluctant to take part in activities, are not consistently encouraged by staff to join in or helped to find something they wish to do. This affects some children's friendship skills.

Children take part in lots of creative activities, which helps them express their ideas and thoughts. For example, they create their own models using clay. Their work is displayed or taken home, which boosts self-esteem and confidence.

Children also explore different textures, such as polystyrene, glitter and sand. This helps them develop an understanding of the world around them.Staff interact with the children well and spend individual time with the younger ones.

For example, when children need quiet time staff read stories with them. Children also enjoy writing and mark-making activities and they practise skills they have learned in school. This complements learning in school.

Staff support children's understanding of being healthy effectively. Children manage their personal hygiene very well and they understand the importance of regular handwashing. The club provides healthy and nutritious snacks.

Staff follow clear processes to ensure that children's dietary requirements are met. Care plans are in place for children with special education needs and/or disabilities and these are followed by staff to promote children's well-being.Staff have good relationships with parents.

Staff routinely inform parents about their children's achievements, well-being and what has been happening in the club. Parents receive good information about the club and can access the policies and procedures. There is also a notice board with information for parents.

Parents feel well supported, find staff approachable and say that their children have grown in confidence.Management and staff work well with other professionals involved in children's care and development. They have regular contact with the host school and seek advice from health professionals.

This promotes continuity of care and learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures.

They undertake safeguarding training to update their knowledge. They know who to contact for advice and how to follow up on any potential concerns. Management use safer recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitable to work with children.

Ongoing checks on staff are part of a robust approach to keeping children safe. Risk assessments are carried out to identify and remove any hazards, so it is safe for children to play. All the required records, including those to ensure children's health, are maintained effectively.