Fun Fest Hartford

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enter the club and are eager for the day ahead. Most children confidently leave their parents at the door and greet staff happily. Children who are unsettled are quickly reassured by staff and other children.

This means they go on to have an enjoyable time at the club. Children independently choose what they would like to play with. They delight in showing their creative skills as they use their imagination to create their own unique artwork on plant pots.

Children involve the staff in their play, such as by getting them to join in a ball game, building structures with bricks or being involved in board games.Child...ren become familiar with the routines and rules of the club because staff clearly explain the rules at the start of each session. Children listen intently to staff, which helps to keep themselves and others safe in their play.

Staff give children plenty of warning when they need to tidy up or when an activity is coming to an end. As a result, children are secure and feel safe. Children behave extremely well and are very polite.

All children at the club are very considerate of each other and show consistently good manners. Older children act as good role models and demonstrate nurturing attitudes as they chat to younger children at lunchtime. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, staff noted that children struggled to follow rules.

The provider has worked hard to give children opportunities to develop this skill in fun games. This helps children to regulate their emotions and begin to follow rules.

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

Leaders strive to provide the highest standards of care.

They focus on improving practitioners' knowledge through a programme of professional development. As a result, most staff have a good knowledge of what experiences and activities to provide for children. However, the arrangements to monitor staff practice and provide supervision sessions to staff are not consistently implemented.

This means some staff do not receive feedback on how to improve their effectiveness.Children access a wide range of activities that appeal to their interests. They laugh as they dress up in a variety of costumes and engage in role play.

Staff provide physical activities to help improve children's fitness. Children cheer as they play dodgeball and laugh as they 'move like beans'. Staff deliver music sessions and help children to play familiar songs.

These experiences allow children to develop their individual talents and skills.Children learn about cultures of the world. They participate in physical activities played in other parts of the world.

However, there are limited opportunities for children to learn about and celebrate the cultures of children who attend the club. This approach does not ensure that children gain a clear understanding of diversity, and it does not fully prepare children for life in modern Britain.The provider is committed to ensuring that the club is a 'screen-free' environment.

Children are keen to participate in the activities on offer. Older children have access to a quiet room in which they can relax. They enjoy activities such as den building and listening to music.

Younger children develop their understanding of planting as they plant summer flowers. Children have the opportunity to listen to stories and read books. These meaningful activities help children to develop new interests.

Children enjoy outdoor play. They learn to safely take risks as they develop their physical strength. Staff encourage children to climb up ladders and complete obstacle courses.

This helps children to develop the confidence and ability to make it across the monkey bars. These activities help children to develop their resilience and confidence.The provider seeks the views of children and parents through discussions.

This allows leaders to review the quality of the service they provide. Parents recently expressed that they would like the club to operate for extended hours. As a result, the provider extended the opening hours.

This helps parents to feel supported.Staff provide parents with feedback about their children's experiences. Parents are happy with the provision and feel involved.

Leaders give information to parents about local services they can access. This helps to support the well-being of families.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff understand their roles and responsibilities to help protect children from harm. They know the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if they are concerned. Staff understand how to refer any concerns beyond the leadership team.

Leaders ensure that children participate in an evacuation practice drill every week. At the beginning of each session, all children are informed of the position of exit routes. These procedures help children to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe in case of an emergency.