Activate

Activate Town Close House Preparatory School, 14 Ipswich Road, NORWICH, NR2 2LR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 March 2016 23 July 2012

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Children learn to play cooperatively and develop increasing levels of self-confidence. They are able to choose from a variety of highly enjoyable activities. There are plenty of opportunities for them to be physically active. Staff skilfully praise, reassure and encourage children as they need it throughout the day.  The manager aspires to lead his team to give children exceptional experiences to enhance their enjoyment and sense of achievement. Many of the staff working directly with children are highly qualified.  There are clear organisational systems in place that ensure that statutory requirements are met. Robust recruitment procedures ensure that suitably skilled, qualified and experienced staff are working with children.  The views of staff, parents and children are regularly sought and used to make alterations to the activities on offer to ensure that they reflect the interests of children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 While staff recognise the need for younger children to rest after the vigorous activities during the day, they do not always consider this fully when setting the pace of the programme.  Staff practice is not yet monitored and evaluated perceptively enough to raise the quality of the provision even higher.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 review the organisation of the day, giving children more time and opportunity to move from one activity to another at their own pace  build on staff performance through more incisive evaluation that identifies specific areas for further development, in order to raise the standards of practice to a higher level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the holiday club manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the holiday club's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the holiday club.  The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are well trained and qualified. They know the appropriate procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child in their care. There are clear policies and procedures in place, ensuring that the safety of children is maintained. Staff consistently implement the identified procedures to manage the large groups of children as they move around the extensive buildings and grounds. The manager regularly evaluates many aspects of provision to identify areas for improvement. For example, hot lunchtime catering has been introduced as a result of requests from parents through their feedback.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children participate in a busy schedule incorporating various activities including swimming, arts and crafts, cookery and time in the adventure playground. There are also regular visits from outside children's entertainers and educators, such as circus skills groups and a local zoological education service. Children are able to choose from a range of purposefully selected activities which give them good opportunities to build their confidence and self- esteem. They play alongside their peers and older children, contributing their own ideas. For example, as they cook in small groups, children are able to share their experiences from home together. This contributes to children developing bonds and attachments with staff and with each other. Staff are attentive, listening to and responding to children appropriately, helping them to build their social skills. Children learn to be patient and take turns as they line up to get their snacks at break time, lunchtime and during play-based

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

activities. They learn to be responsible and their independence is promoted as they take responsibility for clearing away afterwards.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children's health and fitness are effectively promoted. They are given opportunities to be very active and exercise regularly throughout the programme of activities. Staff who work in the host school during term time form part of the setting's staff team. They are purposefully deployed to work alongside the young children, so that children have familiar people caring for them during their holiday provision. This is effective in ensuring continuity of care for these children, all of whom attend the school. Staff are vigilant in supporting children emotionally throughout their day. They have clear and consistent expectations of children's behaviour and children know what is expected of them. The high quality of relationships between staff and children is evident as they demonstrate good manners in their interaction. They are respectful and kind towards each other at all times. Where children have additional health requirements, the manager and staff work

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

closely with parents to ensure that identified needs are consistently met by all members of the staff team.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 260711 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 1041824 Type of provision Out of school provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 4 - 14 Total number of places 180 Number of children on roll 75 Name of provider Town Close House Educational Trust Limited Date of previous inspection 23 July 2012 Telephone number 01603 620180

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Setting details

Activate is a holiday activity club which opened in 1999. It operates from the pre- preparatory building of Town Close House Preparatory School in Norwich, Norfolk. The holiday club opens each weekday during three weeks of the school summer holidays and for a week at Easter, from 8.30am until 5.30pm. It employs 13 staff, seven of whom hold relevant qualifications at level 3 or above, including the manager.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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