Kids In Charge At Heathcote School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive at the club and immediately settle in to begin playing indoors and outdoors.

The environment is well organised, bright and airy. The manager has ensured children enjoy a good range of interesting activities that keep them thoroughly engaged. Children energetically play games like tennis, hoop rolling and walking on stilts outside.

They have good relationships with staff. Children are keen to share their news with staff. They comfortably approach adults with any concerns or worries they might have.

Children see the adults as trustworthy persons who listen to them and treat them fairly. They describe... the club as a place where they can have fun and everyone is included.The adults communicate high expectations for children's behaviour.

Hence, overall, children behave well at the club. Disagreements among children are short-lived. On occasions when they do arise, the adults intervene promptly.

They sensitively remind children to be kind and consider each other's feelings. Snack times are happy social occasions where staff sit with children and hold meaningful conversations. Children enjoy a variety of healthy meals.

They slice their own bagels, fill them with cheese and eat fruits and vegetables. After eating, children responsibly wash their own plates.

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

Children know they are valued by the manager and her team.

Each term, staff consult children for their preferences of activities and resources. This is an integral part of their planning and all the children are involved. Hence, children see themselves as having an important role in deciding what happens at the club.

Children immerse themselves in a variety of activities such as regular cooking sessions, construction, messy play, board games and making slime. They enjoying making arts and crafts in celebration of special and cultural days. These include Eid, Father's Day, St Patrick's Day, St Georges Day and The Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Hygiene standards are high at the club. Staff thoroughly sanitise surfaces used by the children. Children wash their hands as they arrive, after playing and before eating.

The manager ensures school collection procedures are carried out safely. Staff mark children in the register as they line up after school. Children are provided with high-visibility jackets for their journey to and from the club.

They know they must only cross main roads when it is safe to do so.The manager is very experienced practitioner who uses her expertise well to guide staff. She holds regular supervision sessions with them to identify areas where they can improve further.

She is proactive at seeking training courses that facilitate their ongoing professional development. This helps staff build their knowledge of good practice in childcare.Staff describe their workloads as manageable.

They feel being able to work flexibly around their personal obligations creates a good work-life balance. Newly appointed staff receive structured support and develop well. This is because the manager guides them well by gradually easing them into their role and responsibilities.

Parents are happy with the care and quality of activities their children enjoy at the club. They described staff as friendly and helpful adults who consider their views and opinions.The club manager works closely with the general manager to continuously evaluate the overall effectiveness of the provision.

They have reflectively analysed responses gathered from parents' feedback questionnaires. They are keen to improve parent partnerships and communication even further. Hence, they have firm plans to provide a family website that parents can access for information and updates.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff know the signs that suggest a child is at risk of harm. They know the roles of relevant safeguarding partners and how to contact them.

Staff have clear procedures to follow and understand their responsibilities around whistleblowing and child allegations. The manager ensures that the premises are secure and safe. Gates are kept shut and unauthorised persons are prohibited from accessing children's play areas.

The manager maintains good relations with the host school. This helps with exchanging important information necessary to inform her ongoing risk assessments. This ensures children are kept safe at the club.

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