FISH Blackpool

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enthusiastically enter the club and a buzz of excitement fills the air. They quickly engage in the wide variety of activities on offer, keeping them highly motivated. Children play collaboratively, such as when building constructions or engaging in board games.

They are highly respectful of one another and the environment. Children behave well. Staff use recent training they have attended at the on-site school to encourage further positive expectations.

For instance, they raise their hand when they require children to stop and listen. Children react quickly and follow staff instructions, such as when responding to... their name during registration.Children are confident and keen to talk to visitors about their experiences at the club.

They comment on the variety of activities available and of the supportive staff. Children show visitors how to make origami frogs and talk about other creations they are making, such as sea creatures.Staff ensure children wash their hands upon entering the club to help minimise the risk of COVID-19.

Parents currently wait outside the club when dropping off or collecting their children, but staff are eager to invite them back into the setting again in the near future.

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

Staff and children have formed positive relationships. Children enjoy the company of adults and invite them to join in with play activities.

Staff and children play musical instruments together, such as singing well known songs while strumming on the guitar.Leaders are passionate about their role and thrive to ensure that the club is a safe and fun environment for children of all ages. They are enthusiastic in their ideas to develop the school's on-site forest school, so children can benefit from physical activities and develop their love of nature even further.

Staff ensure children's well-being is of high priority. New children, particularly those who have recently started the Reception class at school, have a 'buddy' to support their first days at the club. Older children show younger peers the routines and bathroom facilities.

They read stories and kindly play with them, alongside staff, to ensure all children feel settled and secure.Overall, parents speak positively of the club and how much their children enjoy attending. They refer to the welcoming and friendly staff and the safe environment.

However, some parents do not always know about the wide variety of activities available to their children, so it's important the setting ensures a consistent two-way flow of information.Children have opportunities to express their emotions effectively. They place their named 'fish' onto a 'feelings tree' to indicate whether they feel happy, sad, worried, angry or upset.

Staff use this well to identify and support children's personal development.Children enjoy a range of outdoor activities. They plant a variety of fruit and vegetables from seeds and nurture them well.

Children show excitement as they pull up their carrots from the soil and observe new tomatoes growing on the plants. They learn about the growth and decay of flowers.The club has strong links with the school.

Staff receive a curriculum overview from the school to ensure the club's play activities couple nicely alongside the early years foundation stage for those children in Reception class. All children can use the school grounds, including the playground and fields to encourage physical exercise.Staff capture children's views when planning the play environment.

Children share their interests with staff who then incorporate these ideas on a weekly basis. Children tell staff about whether they enjoyed the activities and staff adapt them accordingly.Children have strong opportunities to engage in unique activities.

For instance, children enjoy taking part in science experiments, such as creating their own bubbles using hairspray and washing up liquid. The club also seeks out other professionals so children can benefit from additional activities, such as animal encounters and making innovative 'fireballs'.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The premises is secure. Children have free-flow access to three separate rooms and the outdoor area in safety. Staff use walkie-talkies to communicate with one another when children move between areas to ensure their welfare.

Parents use the doorbell to communicate when they are ready to collect their children and staff ensure children meet their loved ones safely. Staff and leaders have a strong understanding of their role in child protection. They demonstrate how they would identify and report any safeguarding concerns to the nominated individual and local safeguarding partners where necessary.

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