Junior Adventures Group @ Invicta Blackheath SE3

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are keen to attend the club. They develop good relationships with staff and other children.

During the morning welcome session, children confidently introduce themselves and talk about their favourite places. This helps them to feel part of the group and builds their self-esteem. They experience a wide range of fun and exciting activities.

Children demonstrate that they feel secure and say that they feel safe at the club. The friendly staff team engage with children well and offer close support and guidance.Children have many opportunities to be physically active.

They enjoy team games, such as dodgeball ...and football. They show well developed coordination as they cheer their team members on. Children confidently use the outdoor exercise equipment.

They talk about which muscles they are working and have good levels of stamina. Indoors, children like to be creative and make models. They are very sociable with each other and work well together to achieve a goal.

For example, two children make a complex shared model using construction straws. They show perseverance as they excitedly build the structure, so that it is taller than themselves.

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

The new manager is a good role model, knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

He has made a number of positive changes and has evaluated the club effectively. He has identified suitable areas for improvement. This includes building better links with the school staff to provide more consistent care for children.

The manager is committed to supporting the staff team and developing skills. Staff complete regular mandatory training to help keep their knowledge and skills up to date. The manager ensures supervision meetings are held with each member of staff to discuss their development and celebrate their achievements.

Staff say they enjoy working at the club and are reassured by recent improvements.The key-person system works well for the younger children. Staff are sensitive to children's needs and provide good levels of support and encouragement.

There are secure arrangements in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff know the children well and understand their needs. This enables children to feel emotionally secure at the setting.

Children say that they love attending the club and that they would like to come back again. They excitedly talk about favourite activities they have participated in. Children enthusiastically talk about the 'Snail Club' they have created and explain how they enjoy exploring the wildlife.

Children have some exciting opportunities to learn new things. During a visit from the 'Zoo Club', children learn interesting facts about animals. Many children are keen to handle the animals and excitedly share their own thoughts and ideas.

Children generally behave well. They know the routines and the behavioural expectations. They stop what they are doing when staff clap their hands and listen intently to what is expected of them.

Children explain the rules to others if they see any unwanted behaviour. For example, they talk about not throwing the outdoor wood chips in case it goes in the eyes of others.Overall, children's good health is supported.

Staff provide guidance to parents about sun safety, so that children are protected. However, staff do not always ensure that children have sufficient access to water when they are playing outdoors.Staff seek the views of parents to inform the evaluation process.

Written feedback from parents shows that they are happy with the care provided to their children, who enjoy attending. Additionally, staff focus on the views and interests of children. Children can post their comments and ideas in the 'children's voices' jar, which then informs the activity planning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Since the last inspection, the provider has improved the safeguarding arrangements. Staff have a secure understanding of possible signs when a child may be at risk.

They know who to contact if they have concerns about a child's safety or welfare. New staff are required to complete safeguarding training as part of their induction. Additionally, all staff receive refresher training at the start of each holiday club.

Staff are vigilant about children's safety. For example, they ensure children wear high-visibility vests when they move between outdoor areas. They are careful about checking registers, so that all children are accounted for and safe.

Also at this postcode