Bandley Hill Playcentre

Bandley Hill Playcentre Featherstone Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 9PP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 May 2016 29 July 2013

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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

 Senior staff at the setting work very closely with other agencies in order to offer the children safer places to live and play. Staff have an excellent understanding of the community they serve and how they can support those who use the centre.  Staff use their knowledge of what children enjoy doing as the basis for planning. They provide interesting experiences that children want to be involved in. This helps to support children to continue their learning through play.  Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the setting. They develop strong bonds with staff. Older children are considerate of the needs of younger ones and frequently offer them support as they play and take part in activities together.  Staff monitor the environment closely. They make detailed checks on the premises and outdoor areas before each session. They are alert to the possible dangers and continually help children to learn how to keep themselves safe.

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This provision is good

 Staff promote high standards of behaviour for all children using the centre. Children quickly learn what is expected and staff have seen a significant improvement in how children show respect for others.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Managers use reflection and evaluation to help them develop the service for children. However, they do not consistently use the input from the wider team as part of this process.  New regular casual staff have not had the opportunity to fully develop their roles at the centre.

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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

 build on the use of reflection and evaluation to include the wider team, in order to gain an even better understanding of how to develop the service for children  explore further ways to utilise the skills of the regular casual staff.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff interacting with children indoors and in the outside play areas.  The inspector spoke to children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the self-evaluation, policies, and evidence of the suitability of staff.  The inspector took account of the views of parents shared by the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a secure knowledge of the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child. The senior team takes an active role in safeguarding within the community and provides high-quality support to the children who use the centre. The setting is one of several run by the borough council and they work together sharing practice issues and staff, and undertaking training. The recruitment process for new staff is robust and they receive ongoing support to ensure they continue to offer a good standard of care to children. Although only a small number of parents regularly visit the centre, staff provide clear information about Ofsted, staff responsibilities and other support organisations. Confidentiality is respected and all personal records relating to children and their families are kept secure.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children quickly get involved in activities and staff play alongside them, helping to explore and extend their learning through play. Staff focus on children interests and frequently involve them in planning activities that they are keen to try. Art sessions are popular and children's enthusiasm is demonstrated by their eagerness to bring in artwork they have done at home to add to their books. Children make good use of the large sand pit where they use a variety of tools and resources. They explore the properties of the sand as they run it through their fingers and add water so that they can build stronger structures. Staff continually look at how they can reflect the diversity of the local community and the wider world. They offer thoughtfully planned activities, source interesting resources and use children's experiences and cultures to promote understanding, harmony and respect. Children actively use their understanding of money as they purchase items from the tuck

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

shop. Staff skilfully support children in doing simple addition, subtraction and problem solving as they work out what they want and how much money they have to spend.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

There is a strong focus on helping children to develop their personal, social and emotional skills in order to help them to express themselves positively. Staff interaction has a positive impact on helping children to get along with others. The recent cooking programme has been popular with children of all ages. They have helped staff to see how they can improve the experience with further alterations to recipes to make them even more appealing but still healthy. Children learn about and follow appropriate hygiene routines to ensure they minimise the spread of infection and do not become ill through cross-contamination. Children spend considerable time outdoors. They are very excited by the work being done to repair and replace some of the large equipment. Children have a strong sense of community and are eager to be involved in various projects that improve safety and are of benefit to others. They are currently exploring the possibility of adopting

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

an animal and have had interesting discussions about which would be the most appropriate and interesting animal to support.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 146456 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1028440 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 5 - 14 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 800 Name of registered person Stevenage Borough Council

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 29 July 2013 Telephone number 01438 218848

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reference number

Bandley Hill Playcentre was registered in 1993. It is run by Stevenage Borough Council and employs two permanent members of childcare staff and additional casual staff. Both permanent staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 4 and 6. During term time, after-school sessions are from 3.30pm until 6pm on Tuesday to Friday. Saturday sessions are from 10am until 12.30pm and from 1.30pm until 4pm. During school holidays, sessions are Monday to Friday from 9am until 12.30pm and from 1.30pm until 5pm.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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