Whitleigh Playcare

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive happily at the club and share warm and close relationships with one another and staff. They excitedly greet one another on their arrival and quickly settle into activities of their choice.

Children demonstrate high levels of confidence and independence. They engage happily in discussions with their friends and staff support them well as they enthusiastically take part in planned activities. For example, they create models with play dough, such as rockets, and are highly imaginative as they role-play hospitals.

Children have good opportunities to be active and benefit from fresh air and physical exercise. Th...ey develop a good understanding about their health and well-being as they follow thorough hygiene routines and choose from a range of healthy snacks. Children's behaviour is exceptional.

They listen extremely well and follow instructions. They concentrate for extended periods and all age groups play harmoniously together. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are included and encouraged to participate.

Staff work closely with parents to gather detailed information about children's individual needs, including any allergies or special dietary requirements. Consequently, they get to know the children and their families extremely well. This has a positive impact on children's well-being.

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

Children enjoy attending the club and thrive in the relaxing environment. They are cared for by staff who are nurturing and genuinely interested in the children's well-being. Children actively engage in a wide range of activities that complement their leisure and holiday time.

Consequently, they develop positive self-esteem and show pride in their achievements.Children are emotionally secure. They confidently share their knowledge with staff and one another.

For example, they talk about and identify the different dinosaurs as they play. They talk about family members as they share their experiences. Children listen well to one another, showing respect as they wait for their turn to talk.

Staff plan activities which interest children because they know them well. Children thoroughly enjoy messy play with shaving foam. They mix it with their hands and use utensils to make marks and patterns.

Children play games together, taking it in turns to roll a die to move up and down a board. Staff and children enjoy quieter times, sharing books and stories.Children develop strong friendships.

They play cooperatively as they take on the role of a doctor or patient, acting out scenarios from a hospital in their pretend play. Staff give children the knowledge and language they need to extend their role play independently, which they thoroughly enjoy. For example, as they play, children tell the inspector that they have banged their head and, as a result, have concussion.

They engage with the staff in discussions about their muscles and learn about the role of a physiotherapist.Staff are excellent role models and have clear and consistent expectations of children's behaviour. As a result, there is clear mutual respect between the staff and children.

Children are polite and well mannered. They understand the expected boundaries and the way in which they conduct themselves contributes to the welcoming and calm environment.Staff have strong links with the schools that children attend and build positive relationships with parents.

Parents are happy with the service provided by the staff at the club. Those spoken to on the day of the inspection confirmed that their children thoroughly enjoy attending the club. They comment on how they feel welcomed by 'the amazing staff team'.

The manager supports the staff well. She provides them with regular opportunities to discuss their practice and any identify training needs. This helps staff to increase their knowledge and to raise the quality of their interactions with children, to further support children's experiences at the club.

Staff complete training which provides them with the skills to effectively support children during different life experiences and times of change in their lives.Staff effectively evaluate their practice together. They talk about what children enjoyed and what they could change to make it even more enjoyable.

Having recently moved into new premises, they are focusing on how the space can be made as accessible and welcoming as possible. They continue to develop ideas to help provide a secure base, where children feel a sense of belonging.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

All staff have a secure knowledge of child protection issues and understand their role and responsibilities to keep children safe. Staff can identify the signs and symptoms which may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know the reporting procedure to follow, including what to do if they had a concern about a colleague's behaviour.

They complete thorough risk assessments and take steps to minimise hazards to ensure that children can play safely. Staff teach the children about keeping themselves safe. This helps children to understand the importance of following the rules.

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