Willow Childcare

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive happily and excited to attend the club.

They enjoy taking part in a wide range of enjoyable activities, which complement their day at school well. Children of all ages play well together and share close relationships with staff. They can choose to play inside or outdoors, engaging in lively conversations with staff and one another.

Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the welcoming environment. Outside, they benefit from fresh air and exercise, developing good physical and social skills successfully.Staff are good role models.

They have high expectations of children's behaviour an...d manage this consistently. They encourage children to be polite and good mannered and, as a result, children's behaviour is good. Children learn to manage routine tasks well for themselves, such as choosing and preparing their snack.

Communication with parents has remained good throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff work closely with parents to gather information about their children's individual needs. They evaluate the provision well and consider the views and ideas which the children contribute to ensure they make ongoing improvements.

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

Children listen to staff and follow the club rules. They share resources and take turns well as they make models from flexible building sticks. Staff give the children lots of praise and encouragement saying, 'well done' and 'that's amazing'.

This boosts children's confidence and self-esteem successfully.Staff work closely with the school staff to develop strong links and ensure good communication. They share information about children's needs and use this to support children at the club effectively.

Partnerships with parents are good. Parents comment that the children are very happy at the club. Parents state that they are very pleased with the wide range of outdoor and craft activities on offer to their children.

They say it is a struggle getting their children to leave at home time because they are having such a good time.Children of different ages play very well together. They enthusiastically join in conversations with the staff.

They talk about the pets they have at home and the wildlife they see in the environment. Staff tell them that baby hedgehogs are called hoglets, which ignites their interest further. Some children organise a game of lotto between themselves and show a good understanding of following the rules of a game, so that everyone can participate and contribute equally.

Children have a strong sense of belonging. They say that they like the cosiness of the base room, where they all spend their time engaged in purposeful play. Children build tracks and make cars and small-wheeled vehicles with construction components.

They paint pebbles which they use to decorate the large tubs outside where they have planted bulbs. Children recall what fun they had when they made tie-dyed T-shirts and the manager enthusiastically explains how children will be able to make different types of jewellery next week to show off their creative skills.The manager works alongside the staff and supports them well.

She provides them with regular opportunities to discuss their practice or any training needs. This ensures that staff keep their knowledge up to date, to further support children's experiences at the club.Staff encourage children to be independent.

They follow good hygiene routines before eating their tea. Older children look out for the younger ones. For example, they make space on the sofa, so the younger children can sit with them to have a drink.

Children learn about the importance of adopting a healthy diet and taking regular exercise.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff have a good understanding of child protection issues and are clear on their role and responsibilities to keep children safe.

They keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date and ensure they give children's well-being the highest priority. The manager and staff can recognise the signs or symptoms that may be a cause for concern and know the reporting procedure to follow. They carry out thorough risk assessments and minimise hazards to provide a safe secure environment for children to play in.

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