Mac’s Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff welcome the children in a friendly manner, supporting their transition into the club. They encourage children to put their belongings away and choose what and where they want to play. Children arrive with enthusiasm and form close relationships with the staff, who are attentive to their needs.

They follow the routine for arrival well and quickly become engaged in the wide range of activities available.Conversation flows as staff encourage children to talk about their day at school. Children talk excitedly as they sit with staff and create Halloween cards.

Staff encourage children to share their previous experiences. ...Children discuss Halloween. They recall the costumes they have previously dressed up in and how they enjoy trick or treating.

Staff remind children to use equipment safely, such as scissors, as they cut out pumpkins to stick on their cards.Staff ensure the club has a relaxed atmosphere and encourage the children to behave well. They encourage children to play cooperatively together.

This is evident as children use the construction straws. The children work together to solve how to connect the straws and create items. Staff support the children and make suggestions to help them decide how to create a rollercoaster and make it strong enough to stand up.

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

The leadership and management of the club are strong. The provider is reflective and has a clear vision for the club. She ensures children have fun and participate in exciting experiences when they attend.

Together with her staff team, she ensures activities are planned that children enjoy. Staff encourage children's autonomy by allowing them to choose or suggest activities they would like each day.Staff promote children's health and well-being well.

They provide the children with daily access to fresh air and exercise. Children enjoy being outside. They run outside as they excitedly try to fly the aeroplanes they have made out of paper.

Staff support children as they demonstrate how to aim the aeroplanes high for a better flight. They encourage children to throw and catch balls as they join in ball games. Children enjoy this and shout, 'I've caught it' with great enthusiasm.

Staff support children's emotional security and help them to gain confidence in their abilities. Children are keen to showcase what they have made and show pride in their achievements. They ask staff to take photographs of the different designs they have built.

Staff encourage children to voice their opinions and help them to resolve any differences they may have. For example, when a group of children cannot decide how to build a fort for the toy soldiers, staff encourage them to all share their ideas.Parent partnerships are strong.

Parents speak highly about the service provided. 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.Staff encourage children to use their self-care skills and be independent. Children access the toilets, monitored by staff.

They know to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating. Staff provide healthy and nutritious snacks. Children help themselves to salads and fruit at teatime and help to clear their items away when they have finished eating.

However, children wait for long periods from the start of washing their hands to eating their food. As a result, some children become noisy and restless.The provider and staff are passionate about their roles at the club.

The provider places a high priority on continued professional development. She provides regular staff training and time for discussions to help staff continually improve their practice. Staff have recently attended training on making dens with children.

This has had a positive impact as children are now involved in creating and making dens independently and are developing problem-solving skills.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The provider and staff understand the signs and symptoms that a child is at risk of harm and know the procedures to follow in the event of concerns.

They are aware of the 'Prevent' duty, radicalisation, and the impact of extremist views. Staff know the procedures if they have a concern about a staff member's conduct. The provider follows effective recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitable to work with children.

Staff promote online safety, and children know how to keep safe online. Staff ensure that children are supervised effectively. They ensure that health and safety standards are maintained.

Also at this postcode