Zigzags @ St Patrick’s Ltd

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive to find a welcoming and interesting play environment. Effective information sharing and partnerships with parents means staff know the children well. This helps them ensure that children's preferences are reflected in what is available.

Children enter animatedly; keen to attend after a busy week at school. The staff's enthusiastic greetings spark many conversations and children are clearly at ease with staff and their surroundings. Children of all ages play together and have formed good friendships.

Older children demonstrate good manners and a willingness to help and care for younger children. The club wor...ks closely with the host school. A member of the team takes responsibility for the engagement of school staff so that activities can be planned to help children develop their learning gained in school.

Older children show maturity as they set to task to complete their homework. Children behave very well. Surveys conducted with the children help them gain a sense of democracy and of contributing to the club rules.

Children's varied expectations are shared as a group and this is promoting an ethos of respect. Children conduct themselves in a polite and respectful manner. They follow the club rules and mirror the staff's polite way of interacting with each other.

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

The owner and manager ensure that staff are supported and they have some chances to undertake training to help them develop their knowledge and skills. Most of the team are family members. They work harmoniously together, undertaking their agreed duties and sharing ideas to develop the quality of the service.

The staff team is well organised and they prepare effectively for children's arrival after school. Children enjoy the pleasant atmosphere they are welcomed into and cared in.Staff ensure key information is obtained before children start.

Children are invited to visit the club before they start so they know what to expect. Children's favourite toys and interests are known and provided. For instance, children thoroughly enjoy the play where they take orders in the café and dress up and check heart rates in the hospital.

Staff help children to understand about being fair. They gently remind children that they cannot always be first when using popular equipment. The children have been consulted about their thoughts regarding the club rules.

This means children are able to voice their ideas and helps them learn from each other about the expectations of others.At the start of the session, children and staff meet up to share news about what they will be doing at the weekend. Children confidently share their expected plans.

They demonstrate great delight when staff share future plans also. Children talk animatedly about how they would also like to visit a wizard-themed visitor attraction in London.Children's sense of achievement is celebrated.

For instance, their creative work is displayed at the notice area. They invite the children to applaud one of the group, who has received an award in class. This promotes children's self-esteem.

Children learn about some similarities and differences in lifestyles beyond their own faiths and family. They enjoy a range of creative activities including creating cards and decorating biscuits. Children spend long periods of time carefully recreating the Scottish flag linked to Burns night.

They also experience and learn about some aspects of other cultural celebrations, such as Chinese New Year.Older children take responsibility to complete their homework. They seek support from staff and there is plenty of playful exchanges between themselves and adults present.

Staff talk with younger children about what the older children are doing, helping them gain an awareness of how writing, reading and counting are fun and exciting things to do.Good hygiene routines are followed and children are encouraged to attend to their own needs such as hanging up their coats. They are refreshed through a range of snacks and fruit.

Mealtimes are sociable and relaxed and children have good space to rest or be active as suits their mood.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The staff have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children's welfare.

The premises and equipment are well maintained and safe. Children are supervised and staff ensure that other users of the school cannot gain access to where they care for children unless invited. Policies and procedures are reflective of the local safeguarding partnerships.

The manager and staff attend updated training which means they are aware of how to keep children safe from harm, including from extreme views. They know how to report any concerns that children may be at risk of harm. This includes allegations against a colleague or family member.

Also at this postcode