Little Diamonds Before & After School Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are collected from their classrooms by welcoming staff.

They enter the club happily chatting to their friends. They know where to place their belongings and confidently talk to staff about their school day as they choose their snack. Children create their own sandwich toasties, the most unique one being jam and cheese.

This is followed by a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children also playfully set challenges for staff.Children are happy, feel safe and have formed secure relationships with the staff team.

They are confident and develop a positive sense of achievement. They politely ask for help ...to write their names on their artwork and proudly show staff and other children their creations. Children tell visitors that they especially like doing the crafts and playing outside.

They benefit from opportunities to be physically active. They use their upper arms to negotiate the swing bars and enjoy scoring goals when playing a game of football. All children become engrossed as they freely engage in the wide range of activities provided for them.

They develop good personal and social skills, and their behaviour is noteworthy. They talk about the importance of following the club's behaviour rules. For example, they listen attentively to one another and share the equipment.

Older children willingly help younger children to create bracelets using brightly coloured elastic bands.

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

The provider, who is also the manager, has addressed the weaknesses identified at the last inspection. A number of staff now have a paediatric first-aid qualification.

This ensures the safety of children in the event of a medical emergency.The manager and staff place a great emphasis on promoting children's social and emotional development. All children call staff by their first name and younger children have an assigned key person.

This creates a distinction between school and the club and helps children to feel relaxed and secure. Staff adapt activities to meet the needs of the early years children. They recognise that these children can start to feel tired after a long day at school.

Therefore, they provide a quiet space where children can read a book or watch television and relax.The manager ensures that children benefit from a range of healthy foods that meets their individual dietary needs. Children are provided with a range of fruit and vegetables.

Staff encourage them to try different foods and tastes, also to drink plenty of fresh water throughout the session. Children are helped to understand the importance of good personal hygiene and healthy lifestyles. For example, they know to wash their hands before mealtimes and after outdoor play.

Partnership with parents is strong. They are extremely pleased with the service provided for their children. Parents are very complimentary about the staff and how well the club is organised.

They say their children are very happy to attend and that 'sometimes they struggle to get their children to leave'.The manager and staff have a good relationship with the host school. They share information about themes and topics with teachers.

They discuss areas of learning that early years children may need support with. For example, staff capture children's interest in arts and crafts to help them develop their concentration skills. Children show attentiveness and determination when creating their own flag to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee.

Staff help them to stay on the task, supporting them as they meticulously place diamantes on their unique flag. This helps support consistency for children's learning.The manager ensures staff receive relevant training and coaching to help them develop their practice.

There is a robust induction programme in place and regular supervision meetings to help staff enhance their own professional development. In addition, the manager seeks the views of staff, children and parents to evaluate the club and develop future practice.Staff help children learn about the differences between themselves and others.

They provide activities that explore how other faiths celebrate their religious festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Eid. Staff also explain to children that people who help us, such as bus drivers, the fire services and police, is a job for both men and women. This helps children understand life in modern Britain.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff undertake regular training to keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date. They have a good understanding of how to identify the signs that children may be at risk of abuse.

They are acutely aware of the procedures to follow in the event of any incidents that require a referral to the relevant child protection agencies. Staff also know the procedures to follow and who to contact if they are concerned about the behaviour of any staff members. The manager has robust recruitment procedures in place to ensure the suitability of all staff and risk assessments are in place to ensure all areas of the setting are safe.