City Kids Playcentre

Inspection of City Kids Playcentre 30 Union Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 1HE

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This provision meets requirements

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this breakfast and after-school club. They are warmly welcomed by the friendly staff who escort them from their classrooms. On arrival, children quickly engage in their play. They choose from a wide range of enticing activities available. Children are absorbed in their creative play and talk excitedly about the colourful wool they use to knit hats and scarves. They develop their physical skills as they roll, stretch and shape malleable dough. Children have areas to rest where they can enjoy looking at books and comics independently on soft cushions with cuddly toys for comfort.

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This provision meets requirements

Children's behaviour is good. They are kind and considerate towards each other. For example, younger children seek out older children for cuddles. Children are aware of, and follow, the club rules which they help to create. They remind each other to be careful when playing together on climbing frames. This helps to keep children safe. Staff skilfully support children's play and interactions. For example, as children play table tennis, staff encourage them to take turns and follow the rules of the game. Children are friendly and engage visitors in conversation. They say, 'It is amazing!' when describing how the club makes them feel.

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need to do better?

n The well-established team is committed and experienced. Managers complete relevant checks on new staff before they start and use a robust induction process to train staff effectively. Staff receive regular supervision and appraisals to ensure they remain suitable for their role. Managers actively encourage staff to talk about their well-being and look for ways to support them. This contributes to securing a dedicated and motivated team. Staff complete regular training, such as safeguarding and first aid, to help them keep children safe. n Staff are positive role models and have a good knowledge of children's individual needs and personalities. They positively build on children's self-esteem through praise and encouragement. They value the importance of children's friendships and social skills. Staff are attentive and enthusiastically involve themselves in children's play. They ask purposeful questions which encourage children to think

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need to do better?

carefully when planning their next move, for example when playing board games. n Staff promote children's healthy lifestyles and independence well. For instance, children understand the importance of washing their hands before eating. They patiently wait their turn to choose a healthy snack and pour themselves a drink. Children have ample opportunities to become active outdoors, where they practise their physical skills and manage risks in their play safely. For example, children skilfully weave between obstacles while riding scooters. They learn to

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need to do better?

11 October 2022 balance safely on tree stumps and tyre swings. n Staff use fun activities to extend children's knowledge of mathematics. For example, while children play tennis, staff ask them to estimate how many times the balls will bounce. Children enjoy learning about the natural world as they use spades to dig in mud pits. They are excited to find marbles and shells, which they keenly show their friends. Younger children are imaginative as they mix potions using mud and leaves, which they use to represent ice cream and sprinkles. n Parents speak positively about the setting. They are pleased that children's thoughts and ideas are sought and implemented into the activity planning and resources provided. Parents appreciate the effective communication methods used to ensure relevant information is shared, including the use of newsletters and emails. Parents describe the club as a 'homely environment' which gives

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need to do better?

them confidence in the care staff provide. The management team uses surveys to gather parents' thoughts and ideas, which managers use to implement positive change, such as providing healthier foods for snack times. n Partnerships with the nearby school are effective. Staff gather information from parents and class teachers to help support children's needs. Effective communication systems ensure information is shared between all parties. This provides continuity of care for the children and their families.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The leadership team follows safer recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff have access to a range of policies and follow these carefully. They attend regular safeguarding and first-aid training to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff know how to recognise the indicators that would raise concerns about the children or the adults caring for them. They know the procedures to follow if they have any concerns. There are effective systems in place to help ensure that children are safely collected from their classrooms. Staff also escort children safely to the club following after-school activities that they may attend.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 221713 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10234367 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

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inspection

Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 80 Name of registered person City Kids Playcentre Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07384291927 Date of previous inspection 21 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

City Kids Playcentre registered in 1995 and is located in a community hall next to St Alban's Catholic Primary School. The club employs seven members of childcare staff. The manager holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 5. The club is open from Monday to Friday, during school term times, from 7.30am to 9am and from 3.15pm to 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the club 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 club. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector looked at a range of documents, including first-aid certificates and suitability checks of staff. n The inspector observed activities, indoors and outside in the school playground. She spoke to leaders, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into consideration.

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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

11 October 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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