Sapling Childcare - Little Willows

Inspection of Sapling Childcare - Little Willows St. Johns C of E Combined School, Main Road, Lacey Green, PRINCES RISBOROUGH, Buckinghamshire HP27 0PL

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This provision meets requirements

Children are excited to arrive at the club. They greet staff warmly and enjoy talking about what they have done at school that day. They quickly settle to games and activities that complement well the skills they are developing elsewhere. For example, they play board games, make models out of dough and practise their dance moves for an upcoming school show. Children of all ages mix well together and there is a friendly and happy atmosphere.

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This provision meets requirements

The provider and staff are positive role models. They speak to each other respectfully and politely. Children behave well. Staff show an interest in children's lives and share news of their own lives too. For example, younger children enjoy looking at pictures of a staff member's dog. Staff involve children in some of the running of the club. For example, children take turns to prepare tables for snacks. However, staff do not fully involve children in the planning of activities to further extend their organisational and decision-making skills.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff promote children's good health and physical development well. Children enjoy the healthy snacks. On the day of the inspection, children enjoyed choosing their own fillings for their wraps. Children have opportunities for energetic play inside and out. For example, they use scooters outside and play table tennis inside.

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need to do better?

n The provider is very committed to providing a good-quality service that meets the needs of parents and children. She sends out regular surveys to find out their views and uses the responses well as part of her regular evaluations of the provision. She is inspired by training she attends to make ongoing improvements. For example, she is developing more opportunities for children to take part in exciting and challenging physical play. n Staff are very nurturing and kind. Younger children all have a key person who supports them during their time at the club. These children build especially strong bonds with this member of staff. These younger children are confident to play with older children and show that they feel happy and secure. n Staff take account of the ages and interests of children who attend, when planning activities. However, children have limited opportunities to make suggestions and to help plan activities alongside staff. Nevertheless children

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need to do better?

thoroughly enjoy what is on offer. n Partnerships with the host school are strong and respectful. The provider has regular meetings with senior staff to find out what children are learning at school so she can complement this at the club. There are also robust procedures for sharing sensitive information about individual children so that staff at the

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need to do better?

18 November 2019 club can continue to meet children's individual needs effectively. n Children cooperate well with the routines of the club. They understand the importance of following rules to stay safe, for example which parts of the school are out of bounds when the club is open. They show good levels of independence. For example, they look after their own belongings on arrival and confidently meet their own care needs. n Staff provide good levels of extra support or encouragement when needed for individual children. For example, at snack times they sit with children who are less confident about trying different foods. Their gentle encouragement is often effective and children show delight when they discover that that like the taste of something new. Staff play games alongside children and model well how to take turns and play cooperatively. n Staff encourage children well to build on skills they are developing at school,

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need to do better?

while also ensuring that the club is enjoyable and relaxing. For example, younger children carefully count as they move counters on board games and other children draw pictures and practise their writing. n Staff enjoy working at the club. They find the provider helpful and approachable. They appreciate the regular opportunities to discuss their performance and the support the provider gives to enable them to do their job well.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider takes effective steps to ensure all staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and are able to fulfil them effectively. All staff attend regular training and the provider keeps them well informed about any useful information that she receives from the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Staff are able to identify and respond to any signs that a child may be at risk of harm. Staff have a good understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as the signs that a child may be at risk from exposure to extreme views. The provider follows thorough recruitment procedures to ensure those employed to work with children are suitable to do so.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY544509 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10129999 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care Age range of children 4 to 11 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Crook, Lorna May

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reference number

Telephone number 07803 415695 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Saplings Childcare - Little Willows registered in 2017. It operates from St John's Church of England (VA) Combined School in Lacey Green, Buckinghamshire. It is open 7.45am to 8.45am and 3.15pm to 6pm on Monday to Friday, during term time only. The provider employs four members of staff.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk of the areas used by the setting to find out how they are organised, and the range of activities provided both indoors and outdoors. n Parents and children shared their views and the inspector took these into account. n The inspector checked a sample of documentation, including evidence of staff suitability and training. n The inspector observed staff as they interacted with children and evaluated what it is like as a child to attend the club.

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Inspection activities

18 November 2019 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

18 November 2019 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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