Little Apples Afterschool Club

Inspection of Little Apples Afterschool Club Highgate Primary School, Heathcote Drive, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 7ND

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This provision meets requirements

Children of all ages eagerly and confidently enter the club with staff. Children understand what staff expect of them as they hang their belongings up and find their names to peg up on the registration board. Children show they feel secure. For example, when they notice a visitor, they turn to staff to ask who it is. Children listen to staff's explanation and wave to the visitor to say, 'Hello'. Children develop strong relationships with their peers and are kind to one another. For example, when children notice friends who are on their own, they locate a ball and hand it to them to involve them in their game.

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This provision meets requirements

Children enjoy working together. They talk to each other about the pieces they need to complete a large floor puzzle and pass these pieces to their friends. Children benefit from the range of activities staff provide and enjoy choosing what they would like to do. They learn to keep themselves safe as they cut up their fruit for snack. Staff describe how to hold the knives safely and remind children to put their fruit on the flat side so the knives do not slip off as they cut.

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need to do better?

n Staff work closely with parents and the host school to understand and provide support for families and their children. Staff gather information from families and provide support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. For example, the leader increases the number of staff working with children to ensure all children can fully join in activities with their friends. n Staff know the children who attend well. They gather information from children when they first start to get to know what they like and dislike. Staff use this information alongside children's ongoing views to provide experiences and activities for them to enjoy. Consequently, children have fun and engage for long periods of time. n Staff encourage children to express how they are feeling. Staff notice when children become quieter than normal and take the time to speak to children about their emotions and what makes them feel that way. Because of this,

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need to do better?

children rejoin the group quickly to engage in activities. n Staff provide advice to enable children to develop their skills and games. For example, as children practise their football skills, staff encourage them to aim within certain areas. Staff model how to do this and enthusiastically engage with the children. Children show focus and concentration as they attempt to follow staff directions. n Children enjoy creative activities. Staff provide different resources, such as paint, brushes and coloured pencils, to draw and create 'a masterpiece'. Staff encourage children to think of ways to make different marks. Children practise

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need to do better?

27 September 2024 using tools in different ways. For example, they tap paint brushes together over paper to create splatters. n Staff provide activities that spark children's curiosity and imagination. Children enjoy making staff potions and drinks. They mix sand and lentils together in different teapots and mugs to serve to the staff. Staff encourage children to use a manikin head to create different hairstyles. Children work together to produce a variety of different hairstyles; they twist hair into plaits and hold pieces of hair together to put into bobbles. n Parents highly recommend the club. They say the staff at the club have gone above and beyond for their children. Staff get to know their children and work closely with parents to provide additional support where necessary, particularly for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Parents comment on the exceptional positive impact this has had, not only at home but also at

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need to do better?

school. Parents explain that without the strategies the club shared with them and the school, their children would have had a very different school experience. n Staff say they feel valued and well supported by the leader. They state they are confident to ask for support and the leader is always happy to help them develop their skills. The leader plans training for staff to attend to enhance their knowledge. This helps them provide tailored support to families.

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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 EY500600 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10351837 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 28 Number of children on roll 53 Name of registered person Brown, Tracey Louise

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reference number

Telephone number 07708408701 Date of previous inspection 23 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Little Apples Afterschool Club registered in 2016. It operates from Highgate Primary School, Loughborough, Leicestershire. The club opens Monday to Friday, from 3pm until 6pm, during term time only. The club employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection and shared their views of the club.

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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

27 September 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

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