Spring Meadows Before and After School Club

Spring Meadows Before and After School Club Letchmore Infant School, Letchmore Road, STEVENAGE, Hertfordshire, SG1 3PS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 June 2016 25 February 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 Leadership is strong. Leaders and staff are enthusiastic and have diligently addressed actions from the previous inspection to promote good quality practice. They plan a broad range of activities that complements children's learning in school. Children of all ages demonstrate that they enjoy their time in the club and relate confidently to staff.  Children make full use of indoors and outdoors for active play. They eagerly take part in activities, such as football and group games. Children broaden their physical skills as they competently navigate their way across the outdoor adventure play area.  Children play an active role in the after-school club. They make decisions together and plan future events, as well as voting by a show of hands on immediate activities. Children used graded evaluation sheets to express their opinions on the sessions and resources provided by staff.  Staff work well with the schools that children attend. Information is shared frequently

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This provision is good

and enables staff to adjust the planning and activities very effectively, helping children to continue practising their developing skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, during some craft activities, staff tend to step in and lead play rather than supporting children to manage their own tasks and make decisions.  Staff do not always provide children with full and clear explanations when urging them to abide by the good rules for behaviour.

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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

 develop further opportunities for children to make choices within tasks, making decisions about which materials to use and how to use them  ensure that staff provide children with full and clear explanations when helping them to abide by the rules for good behaviour.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the owner and manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation action plans and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the provision.  The inspector viewed documentation that included performance management, training and professional development, risk assessments, as well as the procedures for safeguarding.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a secure knowledge of child protection procedures and know how to report concerns about children's welfare. The owner, manager and staff have completed safeguarding training to address recent government requirements. Staff complete comprehensive risk assessments for all areas of the premises. These measures help to ensure that children's well-being is protected. The owner and manager follow vigorous procedures for staff recruitment. New staff and volunteers are supported well through a detailed induction programme. In this way, the good quality of staff practice is maintained. The manager uses robust performance management, including observations and supervision meetings, to help support staff's ongoing development and identify training needs. The owner and manager use information gathered from staff, parents and children to produce and maintain a

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

comprehensive action plan. This contributes towards the drive for continuous improvement.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff talk with children and take time to listen to their responses. This helps to support children's speech and language skills and encourages their further contribution. Staff know children well and keep parents fully informed about children's activities. Staff use an online system to record their observations of children and ongoing planning. Children are motivated and consistently work well together. For example, they thoroughly enjoy making 'fairy dough', and squeal with delight as they compare the textures they make. Children write competently. For example, they decorate gingerbread men with icing and confidently write a name label to identify which one is theirs. Children enthusiastically use a broad range of resources to make pictures and animated models.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children form close friendships with other children of their own age and with older children. They play collaboratively and develop inventive games together, enjoy dressing up and discuss the role that each will play. Staff help children to learn about the similarities and differences between themselves and others. Children welcome opportunities to explore cultures of the world. For example, they make biscuits shaped as sombreros and a distinctive, brightly coloured cake as part of a Spanish festival. Children develop a good sense of responsibility. When they arrive at the club they store their coats and bags safely. When going home, children fetch their pictures or things they have made and place them inside paper sacks, which they have decorated for this purpose. Children have a developing awareness of their own safety. When walking between their school and the club staff encourage children to practise road safety. Children help to make sure that

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

the playroom is safe. They bring any hazards to the attention of staff, such as things that may cause someone to trip or fall.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY469027 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1041560 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 - 11 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Louise Anne Prior

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 25 February 2014 Telephone number 01438234400

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reference number

Spring Meadows Before and After School Club was registered in 2013. The provision employs 10 members of staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2, 3 or 5. The provision opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 3pm to 6.15pm.

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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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