Mill Lane After School Club

Inspection of Mill Lane After School Club The Cube, Heighington Millfield Primary Academy, Mill Lane, Heighington, Lincoln LN4 1RQ

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This provision meets requirements

Children are happy to arrive at this after-school club and independently select pegs to hang their bags and coats on. Staff provide a well-organised environment, which creates a relaxing and fun experience for children. Younger children show their imagination when they play with babies in the role-play area, while older children enjoy reading books and being creative when they draw. Staff have positive relationships with children. They listen to them and consider their thoughts and ideas, helping children to feel valued. For example, children ask if, after tea, they can spend time outside in the sunshine. Children enjoy spending time outside in the field of the host school. Staff support children as they develop accuracy when they throw and catch balls. Younger children manage risks independently, and they balance, climb and jump from the adventure trail.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff are positive role models. They provide children with gentle reminders to be polite and well mannered. Children are keen to take pride in their environment. For instance, they listen and follow staff's instructions to tidy away the toys they play with. Children say to staff, 'I've tidied away what I was playing with.' Staff praise children's achievements, helping to raise their self-esteem. Children tell visitors that they enjoy attending the club. Their favourite parts are playing with their friends and the 'yummy food' the staff make.

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need to do better?

n Staff have positive relationships with the children. They take time to get to know them, and provide a range of activities that children are interested in. For example, when staff provide play dough, children show high levels of engagement as they roll, pat and squeeze the dough into different shapes. Children proudly share their creations with their friends. n Staff help children to develop a love of books. Children sit in the reading corner and select from the wide range of books available. Children are sociable and friendly towards one another and staff. They confidently share their books with staff, and name dinosaurs and share facts from the books with their friends. n Overall, staff encourage children to behave well. For example, children are supported and praised when they sit at the table for tea. However, at times, staff are not consistent when managing behaviour. They do not help children to learn

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need to do better?

about the consequences of their actions. For example, staff do not help children to understand how their physical actions affect others. n Staff encourage children to be independent. For example, children put on their coats and collect their belongings before going home. Staff model how to open yoghurts and encourage younger children to pull the lids off their yoghurt pot. Children help themselves to bread and use ladles to serve themselves soup.

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need to do better?

28 February 2025 n During mealtimes, children enjoy sitting alongside their friends and holding discussions with them, making this a sociable time. Staff deployment is effective, as they use opportunities during mealtimes to talk to children and promote the importance of healthy eating. n Children take part in team games. For example, staff support children to be a wolf and to chase their friends, encouraging them to play games they know and to use their imagination. n The staff team have developed positive relationships with parents. Parents comment on the good communication they receive from staff and are pleased with the variety of activities that the club offers. Parents say how staff have supported children well with their individual needs. n Staff reflect on the experiences they offer to children. They ask parents for their thoughts and ideas on how to help to identify improvement. For example, recent

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need to do better?

comments from parents include changing the meal options for children to provide food that is more nutritious. n Staff explain that they enjoy working at the club and feel valued by the team. Staff are supported through team and one-to-one meetings. The manager observes staff's practice and identifies any training needs, this helps to raise staff's confidence and their interactions with children.

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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 2696021 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10350050 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 32 Number of children on roll 91 Name of registered person Turfrey, Bethan

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reference number

Telephone number 07710050436 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Mill Lane After School Club registered in 2022. The club operates from a building on the site of Heighington Millfield Primary Academy, near Lincoln. Six members of childcare staff are employed, three of whom hold a level 3 qualification. The club operates during school term time, Monday to Friday, from 3.15pm to 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n The deputy manager and the inspector completed a tour of all areas of the club. n The inspector observed activities, indoors and outdoors, and the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector carried out an observation of an activity with the deputy manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the deputy manager. She reviewed relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

28 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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