Kids Choice Pathfinder

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this friendly and welcoming club. They arrive happy and are eager to choose from a wide choice of activities. Staff have a good knowledge of the children's interests and make sure they provide resources and activities that reflect these.

For example, children have free choice of the indoor or outdoor areas. They can access quiet areas for reading and to complete homework. Staff involve children in the planning and encourage them to share their ideas.

Children show high levels of engagement in their chosen activities and demonstrate good problem-solving skills. For instance, while cre...ating kites from a wide choice of materials, staff encourage children to consider the best method for attaching different materials. Children discuss their rationale with staff and test their ideas.

They receive consistent encouragement from staff. This helps children to persist when faced with challenges.Positive attitudes to healthy food and exercise are encouraged.

Snack times are a sociable event. Children regularly make their own meals such as fruit kebabs and pasta dishes. Children love to explore the large outdoor spaces.

They learn how to take risks as they climb and balance on various equipment. Children engage in games with rules, such as cricket and basketball. They work collaboratively to build dens and develop good relationships with their peers.

Staff involve children when creating the club rules. This helps children to understand the behavioural expectations and, consequently, children display positive behaviour.

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

Staff build strong relationships with children and know them well.

They chat freely with children and engage in back-and-forth discussions. Staff encourage children to talk about what they enjoy doing and engage in meaningful conversations. They ask children questions to help them to contribute their views and participate in group talks.

This helps to support children's communication and language skills.Children are polite and kind. Staff are excellent role models and praise children for using good manners.

Children demonstrate care towards others. Staff encourage children to take responsibility for activities and assist any children requiring help. For instance, older children patiently demonstrate how to thread and make jewellery to younger children.

They show care to those new to the club and tell them where to find toys.Staff place a strong focus on developing children's confidence and independence. Children take pride in doing things for themselves.

For example, they refill water bottles and self-serve their snack. Children learn to use a variety of tools independently as they engage in a variety of craft activities. Staff are always available to offer praise and encouragement.

This helps children to develop confidence in doing things for themselves.Staff work closely with the local primary school. They meet to share information with teachers about children's needs and development.

They discuss strategies with the class teacher for supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This helps support consistency and continued learning for children.Parents speak highly of the staff.

They say their children thoroughly enjoy their time at the club and often do not want to leave. They comment on the individual support and care staff provide to their children. Parents describe staff as 'friendly' and 'caring'.

Leaders and managers evaluate the provision well. They are reflective and seek feedback from children and parents. They act swiftly to suggestions and requests as they continuously strive to enhance the provision they offer.

For instance, they have created a new menu to encourage further participation from children at mealtimes and to promote healthier options of fruit and vegetables.Staff work well together. They say they feel supported by leaders and have positive attitudes towards their continuous professional development.

Staff complete regular mandatory training, such as safeguarding and paediatric first aid. They receive regular supervision and staff meetings. Leaders use these opportunities to share updates to legislation and refresh safeguarding policies and procedures through quizzes and scenarios.

As a result, staff have a thorough knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and are fully aware of their role in relation to child protection.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.