Amersham Afterschool & Breakfast Club

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements The club provides a play provision for children.

When children arrive after school, they enter the club excitedly talking to each other and staff. Staff are welcoming to children and greet them as they arrive. Children appear comfortable and pleased to be at the club.

They quickly find the activities they want to play with and start to build with bricks, construct a marble run and colour in pictures of their choosing. The club is lively, and children of different ages mix well, showing that they feel relaxed and comfortable around each other. Children behave well.

Together with staff, children draw up the club rul...es, which they all agree to by signing their names. Children understand expectations as these are rules they are familiar with from school. For example, children say that they want to be kind to each other, will not shout and will respect staff.

Staff know about children's individual and special educational needs. Staff meet the needs of children well as they have realistic expectations for behaviour. The staff are starting to work with school staff so that they can provide children with better support and consistency.

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

Children play together well. They are respectful of each other and join in together, such as working together to build models from bricks and creating complex marble runs. They share and take turns during activities.

However, staff do not provide opportunities for further collaborative working. Children do not have the chance to work all together on activities and projects. The provider recognises that these types of activities can support children to get to know each other better.

Since the last inspection, the provider has worked extensively with the local authority. Relationships with local school are developing and weaknesses have been addressed. The provider is committed to continually improving and providing good-quality care for children.

Mealtimes are sociable occasions where children sit together and talk. They have a healthy meal and staff encourage them to eat vegetables and fruit and to drink water. Children talk about healthy foods and looking after their teeth.

Staff recognise that young children need to rest and unwind after a long day at school. There is a comfy sofa for younger children to sit with staff and read a book or have a nap if they need to. There is an effective key-person system in place.

However, all staff get to know children well.Staff supervise children closely and ensure that they are safe. They have a register of children attending from each school and are vigilant in checking children's attendance.

Staff keep children safe as they walk to the club from school. All children understand that they need to wear a high-visibility jacket and hold the rope to keep them all together. Before children go outside to play, staff conduct a risk assessment to make sure that the area is safe.

However, staff do not consistently encourage older children to also take responsibility for assessing some risks when they have the age and maturity to do so.Parents of children with special educational needs say they feel that staff meet their child's needs well at the club. Parents praise the support that children receive, and say children are reluctant to leave at home time because they enjoy attending the club so much.

Staff share information with parents so they know what activities children take part in at the club.Staff say they are happy in their work. They receive effective supervision and support from the provider.

The provider encourages staff to contribute towards activities and plans for the club. Staff complete training to build on their knowledge and say they have a good work/life balance.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The provider and manager, who act as the lead staff responsible for safeguarding, demonstrate a good awareness of their responsibilities. All staff can confidently discuss the signs and symptoms that might indicate that children are at risk of harm. They know how to report any concerns to the local safeguarding partnership.

There are clear care plans in place for administering medication to children. Staff have undertaken relevant training to support children's medical needs and to confidently administer first aid. Staff keep suitable records of any minor accidents children sustain and any medication given.