Safe Hands Professional After School Childcare

Inspection of Safe Hands Professional After School Childcare Lenham Primary School, Ham Lane, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2LL

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This provision meets requirements

All children thoroughly enjoy their time at this inclusive and welcoming after- school-club. Children are collected from the playground by familiar staff. They greet the staff with smiles and are keen to tell them about their day at school and what they have been doing. Children are allocated a key person, who is responsible for their care and well-being. This helps provide children consistency of care.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff create a well-organised environment that children independently access. They incorporate the children's different interests and needs. Children happily choose where they wish to play and quickly settle and engage in what is on offer. Children take part in crafts, small-world play, cooking and sports. This helps them to build on their social, physical, and creative skills. For instance, children enjoy using the climbing apparatus in the school playground, and engaging in games such as 'hide and seek'. Furthermore, children prepare their own snack. They independently use knives and chopping boards, and choose from a selection of healthy and balanced food. They sit together to eat speaking about their day. Children seamlessly follow the well-embedded routines.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff have high expectations of all children and are positive role models. They show respect as they speak and listen to children and each other. Staff value the children's views, which help them to plan activities and experiences, which keep children engaged and involved. Children add their thoughts and ideas to a board which the staff use to plan future experiences. For example, they have shared that next term they would like to try Italian food and have a unicorn tea party. Children behave incredibly well, and are confident communicators. They display good manners.

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need to do better?

n The owner and club manager regularly reflect on their practice and strive for improvement. Children are at the heart of all they do. Children freely suggest ideas of what they want to do and where they want to play which is accommodated by the staff. For example, when children are keen to play a game of 'octopus' in the school hall, staff communicate effectively between themselves to meet the children's needs. n Staff hold meaningful back-and-forth conversations with the children. They know the children incredibly well and sit to listen to what they have to say after a day at school. For example, children are keen to tell staff if something has made them happy or sad during the day. Staff give children time to speak and help them think about how they are feeling. Children feel safe and secure and their well-being is high.

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need to do better?

22 May 2024 n Staff help children to be aware of their own safety. For example when moving from the main classroom to outside, and back again, they encourage the children to speak on the walkie talkie to let the member of staff know they are coming. Children show high levels of maturity. For example, newer children who are learning the routine of the club are supported by older children who kindly offer to show them where to go. n All staff thoroughly enjoy their role and working at the club. They have regular one-on-one time with the manager and owner to discuss their well-being, safeguarding responsibilities and the needs of the children at the club. They are provided with ample opportunities to undertake further training. For example, staff have recently attended autism awareness training. As a result of this they have adapted their registration forms to learn more about the home lives of the children in their care.

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need to do better?

n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are incredibly well supported. The staff have forged highly effective relationships with the school staff to seamlessly provide support for children. Furthermore, staff join the school staff each year for a safeguarding refresher, to ensure that they work in partnership when sharing concerns about children. Children's individual needs are well met. n Staff have built secure relationships with parents. They are welcomed into the club at collection times and have daily opportunities to speak to staff about their children. Parents are included in decisions about the club and suggest ideas for improvements. For example, parents asked for information to be displayed about what the children have for snack. The staff quickly implemented this. Parents have huge praise and admiration for the staff, and the important role they play in their children's lives.

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need to do better?

n Staff help children to develop an excellent understanding of the wider world. For example, they take regular trips in the local community. They explore where the children live, and learn to manage risks in the environment. For example, they learn about road safety and how to correctly listen for traffic and cross the road.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2664755 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10339408 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 15 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Lawlee, Melanie Jane

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reference number

Telephone number 07958521517 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Safe Hands Professional After School Childcare registered in January 2022. It operates from Lenham Primary School, in Maidstone, Kent. The club is open Monday to Thursday from 3:15pm - 5:30pm. The club employs a manager and two other members of staff.

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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 their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

22 May 2024 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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