Willow Kids Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children thoroughly enjoy attending this club. They are greeted by warm and friendly staff who are keen to hear about their day in school. Children are immediately engaged in activities that interest them and concentrate on their chosen tasks.

The club is a hive of activity and energy levels are high. The rooms are filled with an abundance of laughter and conversation as children play and explore together. Staff have high expectations of children, especially regarding their behaviour.

Children benefit from clear and consistent reminders that help them to share resources and manage small conflicts independently. Children re...gulate their own play. They understand how many children can play in an area at any one time and register their interest, using their name-cards.

Children skilfully use sand timers to help them to understand the importance of waiting for their turn. Children benefit from procedures to help keep them safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They regularly sanitise their hands and understand the importance of doing this.

Now that restrictions have eased, children will once again have the opportunity to develop their independence skills as they serve themselves at snack times.

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

The club serves many schools in the local area. This means that children of all ages play well together and establish friendship groups with children who they may not ordinarily meet.

Older children are very supportive of their younger friends. They carefully explain the rules of games and are keen to help their peers with tasks. Children are skilful communicators and display confidence in social situations.

Staff gather detailed information about children's likes, dislikes and interests when children first start at the club. They use this to inform planning and to help children to settle in. There is a successful key-person system in place so that all children have a named member of staff to support them when needed.

Furthermore, staff liaise with teachers so that they are able to complement learning that is taking place in school.Children have daily opportunities to engage in physical play and benefit from fresh air and exercise. They play with hoops, enjoy team games and make marks on the ground with chalks.

Children develop skills in balance and coordination as they navigate the space available. They play football together and demonstrate that they are able to follow instructions and work together as a team.Children's health and well-being are given high regard.

Staff provide healthy and nutritious snacks for children to enjoy and remind children of the importance of staying hydrated, especially when playing outside. Careful consideration has been given to the creation of a 'zen den'. This quiet, calm and relaxing area offers children a safe space to go to should they need to take time out from the bustling club.

Furthermore, the 'zen den' supports children to recognise their feelings and emotions and how to manage these successfully.Children are able to offer their ideas and suggestions through regular discussions and a dedicated suggestions box. They contribute to the planning of activities and frequently share with staff what they would like to do at the club and what resources they would like to play with.

This means that children have a strong sense of belonging as their ideas and contributions are listened to by the attentive staff team.The relatively new manager has a clear vision and purpose for the club. She enthusiastically leads a dedicated and passionate team of staff who work very well together.

Self-evaluation is effective. Leaders have identified further improvements to the outdoor provision which they hope will have an even more positive impact on the engagement of children when using the outdoor areas.Parents' comments are extremely positive.

They describe how staff quickly respond to any emerging concerns that they may have and how much their children enjoy attending the club. Parents feel very well informed about club activities and how their children are getting on. They appreciate the efforts of the staff team and value the flexibility offered by leaders.

Parents describe how their children thrive. They say that children's every need is met and that the care they receive is second to none.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff have a good understanding of their role and responsibility in protecting children from harm. They confidently describe the possible indicators of abuse and are able to identify wider safeguarding concerns, such as child exploitation. Staff complete regular safeguarding training to ensure that their knowledge and skills remain up to date.

Leaders implement robust recruitment and vetting arrangements to ensure that staff are suitable. Staff continuously check that the environment is a safe and secure space for children to play and explore. They conduct headcounts every 30 minutes and deploy themselves effectively to ensure that children are closely supervised at all times.