M & A Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are collected from their classes and welcomed by the friendly and caring staff team.

They settle quickly and follow routines well. Staff plan the room around their knowledge of children's interests to capture their attention and imaginations. Children demonstrate confidence in selecting resources to play with from the wide range of accessible to them.

Staff ensure that the club has a relaxed atmosphere and encourage children to behave well. Children develop good friendships within the club. They play cooperatively together and use their imaginations to create their own games, for example, when playing with a doll'...s house and in the role-play cafe.

Children use good manners as they play together. Older children support younger children, for instance, reminding them where to put their coats and bags. Conversation flows as staff encourage children to talk about their day at school.

Children talk excitedly as they sit with staff and create Christmas cards. Staff encourage children to share their previous experiences. Children discuss Christmas.

They recall decorating trees and the school's Christmas production. Staff remind children to use equipment safely, such as scissors, as they cut out pictures.

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

Staff join in with children's games and praise them for their skills and individual abilities and achievements.

Staff adapt the support they offer and the expectations they have of individual children, depending on each child's stage of development. For example, staff use cards to play different games to build on children's mathematical skills.Older children are keen to talk about how much they enjoy their time at the club.

They comment that they like that they have a space to do their homework if they choose to and staff listen to them read and that the food is 'tasty'. Children have good relationships with staff and each other.Staff know children and their families.

Children go to familiar staff for cuddles and clearly enjoy their company. Staff ask children how they are and set up areas for them to rest and relax when they are tired. This supports children's emotional well-being.

Staff help children to learn how to keep themselves healthy. Children follow good hygiene practices. They wash their hands on arrival and before meals.

Staff remind children to have frequent drinks and to rest when they are becoming too hot. Staff provide a healthy and well-balanced snack for children, and consider all children's dietary needs.Children access a considerable range of experiences to help them learn about people, families and communities beyond their own.

They explore clothing from different cultures, for example, when they play with dolls and a doll's house. Staff skilfully challenge gender stereotyping through the resources available to children.Staff have a good partnership with the host school.

They recognise the importance of working with the teachers to help children and to share information when needed. Staff are keen to work with children's teachers to help them in the club. Staff are happy to listen to children practise their Christmas songs for the school's performance.

Parent partnerships are strong. Parents speak highly about the service which the club provides. They explain how staff are approachable and really understand the needs of their children.

Staff keep parents well informed about events and changes at the club. They pass on messages from the school to ensure continuity of care.Managers ensure that staff have the necessary training and support to fulfil their roles.

For example, all staff have undertaken paediatric first-aid training. This means that staff are able to respond effectively to any minor accidents or incidents.Managers create a warm and welcoming environment.

The deputy manager helps staff to grow their personal development. However, the nominated individual has not consistently considered offering staff more regular supervision sessions to create a more supportive and nurturing workplace that promotes staff's well-being further.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Managers and staff have a clear understanding of their role in protecting children from harm. Managers ensure that all staff access training to refresh and develop their knowledge. Staff have a strong knowledge of the signs of abuse and the action they should take if they are concerned about a child.

Staff are clear about the local arrangements for safeguarding and their responsibility to escalate concerns if necessary. Those staff with designated responsibility for safeguarding facilitate discussions with staff to share any updates to guidance and legislation. Staff carry out risk assessments of the resources, hall and playground, and they make sure that they supervise children well.

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