J W Playclub

Inspection of J W Playclub 4a Chetwynd Street, Newcastle, Staffordshire ST5 0EQ

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This provision does not meet requirements

Children's health and safety are compromised in this setting. Leaders do not use risk assessment consistently to ensure children's well-being and safety. For example, staff do not recognise or remove potential hazards, such as damaged or worn equipment used by children. This exposes them to risks of injury or harm. In addition, leaders do not take steps to ensure that all parents and carers are informed about policies intended to promote children's health and safety. For example, the nut free setting policy, designed to protect children who have allergies, is not consistently communicated to all parents. This does not effectively gain their cooperation in ensuring the avoidance of allergen foods in children's lunch boxes. Furthermore, staff do not monitor the foods eaten by young children well enough. For example, they do not always identify foods that are potential choking hazards for young children. This does not promote children's health and

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This provision does not meet requirements

That said, despite significant weaknesses, children demonstrate positive engagement with staff and establish secure relationships with them. Children independently select preferred activities from a variety of toys and resources made available to them. Children express their enjoyment of the club. They value the proactive approach staff take in seeking their input to inform club activities. Children enjoy opportunities to play in the club's outdoor area and visits to local parks.

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need to do better?

n Risk assessment is not used well enough by leaders and staff to ensure children's safety. Damaged and worn play equipment is not promptly identified or removed, which increases the potential for injuries to children. For example, children play and jump on small trampolines that have exposed holes in the fabric. The handles on trampolines held by children as they jump are loose and insecure. This creates safety risks for children. n Staff supervision of children during mealtimes does not consistently ensure children's health and safety. For instance, potential choking hazards are overlooked by staff as young children eat whole grapes from their lunch boxes. Additionally, some lunch boxes contain nuts, which is contrary to the club's nut- free policy and poses a significant risk to children with allergies. As a result, leaders and staff have not taken sufficient measures to ensure that parents are adequately informed and understand the club's food policies, that are designed

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need to do better?

to safeguard children's health and safety. n Children behave well in the club. Staff recognise and praise children for sharing and taking turns as they play. Children respectfully follow the instructions given

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need to do better?

8 August 2025 to them by staff. For example, they help to tidy away toys, taking care of their environment. Staff remind children about the club rules. They use gentle prompts and explanations to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to help them follow rules and enjoy their time at the club. This promotes positive behaviours among children. n Staff receive regular supervisions and feel that their well-being is considered by leaders. Leaders facilitate ongoing training to support staff in their roles. For example, staff receive training in how to gather children's ideas to help inform and develop the club. This supports children's personal development as they recognise that their opinions and contributions are valued and builds their confidence and self-esteem. n Parents report that their children enjoy coming to the club. They feel confident that their children are well cared for by the friendly staff. Parents feel their

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need to do better?

children are supported to settle quickly at the club and they enjoy the toys and activities on offer for them to play with.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

ensure all staff implement robust risk assessments to identify and manage potential hazards that may pose risks to children 05/09/2025

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Due date

ensure staff consistently implement safer eating and food allergy strategies, and share information with parents about what foods are not permitted within the setting. 05/09/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2614099 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10408619 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 60 Number of children on roll 260 Name of registered person Williams, Jacqueline

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reference number

Telephone number 07916347186 Date of previous inspection 23 November 2021

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Information about this early years setting

J W Playclub registered in 2020. The club is situated in the Newcastle-under-Lyme area of Staffordshire. The club employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one holds a qualification at level 2. The club opens during term time, Monday to Friday, from 6.45am until 9am and 3pm until 6pm. It also runs a holiday club during school holidays and inset days.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out the inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector and the deputy manager completed a tour of the setting and discussed how the provider organises activities at the club. n The inspector spoke to parents to gather their views about the setting. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with children and spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation. n Children spoke to the inspector about activities that they enjoy when they attend 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

8 August 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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