Grasshopper Club

Inspection of Grasshopper Club The Old School House, Mount Pleasant, Castle Donington, DERBY DE74 2LN

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and secure at this welcoming pre-school. They show they feel safe and secure in the caring and nurturing environment that staff create. Staff understand the importance of supporting children to make firm attachments to adults involved in their care. They use settling-in sessions to build relationships with parents and ensure they have the information they need to provide continuity in children's care. Staff support children to try new learning experiences and engage them in the interesting activities they have planned. Children enjoy a range of progressive learning opportunities that support them to make progress towards what they need to learn next.

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The provision is good

Children confidently explore the outdoor environment, developing their physical skills. Older children learn to take risks safely when they use the tyre swings. They practise their coordination and balance as they ride on scooters. Staff stay close at hand, supervising children and offering a steadying hand to help them gain their balance when needed. Children enjoy hunting for bugs, and staff help them to name the bugs they have found. Staff talk to children about putting the bugs safely back on the plants.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and create positive relationships with others. Young children learn to share toy animals as they role play in the veterinary clinic. Older children develop friendships with each other as they play games together.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan a range of activities for children to engage in each day. They have created a curriculum that encourages children to develop the skills that they will need to gain to be ready for their eventual move to school. For example, they focus on developing children's communication and social skills, such as sharing and taking turns. However, not all staff are fully aware of the curriculum intention. This has led to some inconsistency in the implementation of the curriculum. n Children benefit from good-quality interactions with staff to help develop their learning. However, on occasion, staff are quick to solve problems for children, rather than encouraging them to find solutions for themselves. For example, when children pretend to run out of petrol while riding on scooters and cars, staff quickly intervene and suggest they go to the petrol station. This limits the opportunities for children to solve problems and test out their own ideas.

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need to do better?

n Children behave well. Staff talk to children about their behaviour to help them to learn how to manage their feelings. They gently remind children about positive choices in their play. Staff have clear expectations of behaviour in the setting and expertly share these with children. They use positive reinforcement and

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need to do better?

7 February 2025 consistently praise children as they take turns and share the resources on offer. Children learn to be kind and compassionate to their peers and build relationships that will support them in the future as they transition to school. n Staff create an outdoor environment that is interesting and exciting for children to engage in. Children enjoy the variety of opportunities to be physically active. They drive ride-on cars and balance on beams. These activities develop children's balance and gross motor skills. Children enjoy exploring a wooded area outside and take turns to drive toy tractors. As they play, they learn to take turns, cooperate and collaborate with others. n Children focus on their chosen activity and show a high level of curiosity. For example, they discover hidden treasure in a tray of shredded paper. Staff skilfully develop children's communication and language skills as they help younger

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need to do better?

children to name the objects they have found. They use questions to support older children to discuss the objects. n Parents report that their children are well cared for and staff are very friendly and approachable. Parents say their children love to attend and have formed good relationships with staff. However, staff do not always work closely with parents to help them understand what their children need to learn next and how parents can support their children's learning at home. n Staff feel well supported in their well-being and ongoing professional development. Regular feedback successfully supports their knowledge and skills. They are encouraged to reflect on their practice and discuss any training needs that they may have.

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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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should:

n support all staff to have a clear understanding of the curriculum intent so that they are consistently focused on what they want children to learn n strengthen how staff engage with children to promote children's deeper thinking and help them learn how to solve problems for themselves n develop links with parents, sharing more information about children's next steps and ideas of how parents can extend children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY360499 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10368274 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Grasshopper Club Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01332 858216 Date of previous inspection 14 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Grasshopper Club registered in 2007 and is situated in Castle Donington, Derbyshire. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school is open from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The pre-school provides places for children in receipt of government funding.

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Inspection activities

n The manager talked to the inspector about the activities staff provide and how these assist children in their learning and development. n The quality of interactions during activities was observed, and the inspector assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with managers, staff, parents and the children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff.

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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

7 February 2025 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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