YMCA Essex @ Great Waltham

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and excited to attend the after-school club. They are collected from their classrooms by caring staff, who know the children well and are genuinely pleased to see them. Staff gently remind children to collect their personal belongings and discuss their day at school.

The club is small and children receive lots of support and attention. The hall is set up ready for their arrival and staff provide children with fun and exciting activities. They take time getting to know the children and provide activities that will capture their interest.

As a result, all children are settled, confident and fully integrate...d at the club. There is a cosy space, where children can sit comfortably and relax if they feel tired after a day at school.While activities are set up ready for children's arrival, there is an abundance of good-quality resources that they can independently access or request.

Children also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. For example, they participate in games of football and play hide and seek. Children have formed close and trusting bonds with the staff, who speak respectfully to them.

They are good role models and have high expectations for the children, who play well together, and demonstrate good manners.

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

Children arrive keen and eager to explore the activities on offer. They are familiar with the environment, staff and routines and demonstrate they feel safe and secure.

They store their personal belongings and enjoy a healthy snack on arrival. Staff engage them in conversations and they confidently talk about their day at school. They spend time using dough and talk about the models they make.

They show sustained concentration as they use creative materials to draw rainbows, and enjoy the praise they receive for their efforts.Young children still in the early years are well supported. While all staff are caring and attentive, a system is in place for those children, where a member of staff ensures they are settled, happy and fully engaged.

Priority is given to ensure all children's emotional well-being is supported. Staff are calm and kind. They are good role models.

Children are positively supported to express how they feel and regulate their emotions. Overall, children's behaviour is good.Children enthusiastically prepare ready for tea.

They know to wash their hands before eating. They confidently request sauces they would like to accompany their meal. Mealtime is regarded as a social event and children sit with their friends, chatting as they prepare their own wraps, choosing from a selection of healthy fillings.

Outdoor play is popular and enjoyed by all. Children have use of the school playground and field and enjoy the freedom and fresh air as they run around and play games with their friends. Children invite staff into their games who are skilful in their interactions with the children.

Positive working relationships with the host school have been established. Conversations take place daily with teachers when children are collected. School newsletters, menus and conversation around the school curriculum are also shared to ensure continuity of care and provide continued support of children interests.

Parents speak positively about all aspects of the club and were happy to talk with the inspector. They comment that they feel fully informed as to what their children do at the club as communication is good. Parents say their children are happy to attend and they are grateful for the caring and friendly staff and support their children receive.

The provider ensures the management team are well supported and offers further support to the small team of staff. Staff speak positively of their role and responsibilities and the encouragement they receive. They say their own welfare is also fully considered and they feel valued and that their skills are recognised.

Staff comment that they are positively encouraged to enhance and strengthen their knowledge further, through training opportunities.

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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