Tree Top Childcare

Inspection of Tree Top Childcare Glastonbury Thorn School, Pigott Drive, Shenley Church End, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK5 6BX

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This provision meets requirements

Children enjoy the time that they spend at the club. Staff welcome them on their arrival, and children are eager to play following their snack. Children say, 'We enjoy running and playing games', and, 'We like to make bracelets and pictures.'

p.2

This provision meets requirements

Children benefit from opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air. Staff ensure that the environment is safe and ready for use. Children practise their physical skills as they throw, catch and kick balls to one another.

p.2

This provision meets requirements

Children behave well. They take part in a range of activities that staff plan to meet children's interests. These also help them to develop skills, such as taking turns and learning to follow rules. For example, children play games, such as draughts, with their peers. With sensitive support, they learn the rules of the game and persevere. They solve problems and plan moves to help themselves progress further.

p.2

This provision meets requirements

Children have opportunities to follow their own interests. For instance, they are keen to make paper aeroplanes. They concentrate and watch carefully as staff show them how to fold paper to make an aeroplane. Children laugh and giggle as they throw their paper aeroplanes and see how far these travel. Children test out their ideas and find different ways to fold the paper to see if these paper aeroplanes will fly even better.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager ensures that the environment at the club is safe and welcoming. For example, she considers how to organise toys and resources within the space available to provide variety for children. She completes comprehensive risk assessments of the areas that the club uses. She identifies potential risks well and provides guidance to staff to help manage these. For example, staff successfully minimise the risks of the steps which children use to enter and exit the hall. n The manager supports her staff team well. She has robust induction procedures in place for new staff. These help them become familiar with routines and policies in the club. Staff report that they feel well supported by the manager and the more-experienced staff in the club. n The manager completes regular appraisals and monitors staff practice. She provides opportunities for staff to develop their knowledge and skills. For example, they complete training to help them develop activities to help children

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need to do better?

be physically active in changeable weather. This helps children to enjoy their time at the club.

p.2

need to do better?

6 January 2022 n The manager deploys staff well. She has developed a successful key-person system for the youngest children who attend. Staff use the information provided by parents before children start to familiarise themselves with children's needs and interests. They then use this to plan activities that will appeal to them. Key people develop positive partnerships with parents. For instance, they ensure they are present at collection time to share feedback about children's activities. n The staff team develops partnerships with other professionals, such as children's teachers, well. Where appropriate, teachers share information with club staff about children's day. Staff also use information provided by the school and the parents to help ensure that they meet children's additional needs. n The manager has secure procedures in place to support children's personal needs, such as to administer medicines. However, she recognises that it may be

p.2

need to do better?

appropriate to review procedures to ensure children consistently have free access to drinking water throughout the session. n Children demonstrate positive attitudes during their time at the club. They listen and follow instructions well, such as to put their hats and coats on for outdoor play. Children enjoy the opportunities they have to play with their peers. For example, they stack cubes and make towers. They compare which are 'taller' or 'shorter' than themselves. They become engrossed in their play and make up stories for toy characters that live in their imaginary world.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager ensures that all staff are suitable to work at the club. She follows clear recruitment procedures, such as advertising positions, interviewing staff and completing the required checks. She ensures that staff have suitable training to meet the requirements of their role. All staff have a secure understanding of how to identify signs and symptoms of abuse, including radical and extreme views and behaviours. They are familiar with internal whistleblowing procedures and know what to do should they have a concern about children's welfare. All staff share a secure understanding of local safeguarding partnership procedures.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2547844 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10215621 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 76 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Smith, Teresa

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07808210641 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Tree Top Childcare registered in 2019. It operates within Glastonbury Thorn School, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The club provides before- and after- school care from 7.45am to 9am and from 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It offers occasional holiday care. The club employs eight members of childcare staff. One member of staff holds a qualification at level 4, five hold qualifications at level 3 and two hold qualifications at level 2.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the club. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector held discussions with the manager and the staff team throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

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

6 January 2022 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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