Escape4kids

Escape4kids 12th Cambridge Scout Hut, 40 Gilbert Road, Cambridge, CB4 3PE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 August 2016 7 April 2016

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 Leadership and management continue to be weak and the provider demonstrates a limited capacity to improve. The action taken since the last inspection has not been robust enough to significantly improve the provision and further weaknesses have been identified.  Parents are not fully assured of the suitability of staff working at the setting. The provider has not obtained current checks on a new member of staff or made sure that they are not left unsupervised with children in the interim. This does not ensure children's safety and welfare.  Children's attendance is not being recorded accurately and does not consistently indicate when children have left the setting. This compromises their safety, particularly in the event of an emergency evacuation of the premises.  Risk assessments have not taken account of the layout and use of some parts of the premises, particularly when some children choose to use the paved outside area away

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This provision is inadequate

from the building. Staff are not able to communicate quickly with each other in the event of an emergency.  Children's behaviour is not managed effectively. Staff do not give children consistent messages about expectations, boundaries or the safety rules they need to follow.  The newly implemented arrangements for the support and supervision of staff are not yet effective in raising the quality of the practice swiftly.

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It has the following strengths

 Children arrive with enthusiasm. They take part in fun activities which they have helped to plan and make independent choices from a range of resources.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take enforcement action

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to:

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Due Date

 implement effective procedures to ensure that staff working with the children are suitable, including obtaining an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and appropriate references 31/08/2016

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Due Date

 ensure staff whose suitability has not been checked do not have unsupervised contact with children 31/08/2016

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Due Date

 keep an accurate daily record of the children being cared for on the premises which includes their hours of attendance 31/08/2016

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Due Date

 undertake effective risk assessments to identify and minimise hazards, taking into account how staff are deployed when children are playing in different areas of the premises 31/08/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that children's behaviour is managed in an appropriate and consistent way 31/08/2016

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Due Date

 provide effective supervision for staff, offering coaching and support to improve the quality and consistency of practice and sustain continuous improvement. 31/08/2016

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the activities and spoke to children and staff at convenient times. She looked at the premises and the resources available to children, indoors and outdoors.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider who is also the manager. The inspector also looked at relevant documentation, such as the setting's action plans, policies and evidence of the suitability of staff.  The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views through survey forms.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The arrangements for safeguarding are ineffective. The provider does not follow robust staff recruitment and vetting procedures. On the day of inspection a new member of staff, whose suitability had not yet been fully checked, was left for a short period of time unsupervised with children. Furthermore, the provider does not consistently maintain an accurate record of the children's departure times which compromises their safety. The provider has reviewed the way children access the outside area to ensure they are always within sight or hearing of a member of staff. However, during the inspection, the provider had not taken account of the layout of the premises and the deployment of the staff when completing overall risk assessments. This meant that at times staff were not able to effectively communicate with each other, particularly in the event of an emergency. The provider and her staff understand their duty to protect children from abuse or neglect.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Team meetings are held before the setting opens each school holiday. However, the limited action taken to develop supervision and support staff in developing their practice means that the quality of the provision remains variable. Practice is not improving swiftly enough to support children's care, welfare and overall safety and staff have yet to access further training in behaviour management. Nevertheless, parents speak well of the club, commenting on how they believe it provides a mix of fun and relaxation for their children during the holidays.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Support from staff is variable and children receive confusing information about some activities, routines and safety guidance. For example, at the inspection, children and staff were not sure of the lunch time arrangements. Children were also confused about what equipment they could use and what safety wear they needed to put on when using the scooters. This makes it difficult for children to learn to manage age-appropriate risks for themselves. Despite these weaknesses, most children enjoy their time at the club. Their views are taken into account when planning activities. Unusual craft activities, such as painting large group collages on bed sheets, support children's imagination and creativity. They engage in their own make believe games, negotiating and developing their stories. Other children are given space to sit quietly and draw. Visits off site complement the activities on offer. On a recent trip, children had opportunities to learn about where

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

different food comes from as well as the opportunity to have a go at making bread. Staff interact with the children in their play, allowing them some independence but are ready to offer further help if needed.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

The continued weaknesses in leadership and management have an adverse impact on children's welfare. These include the issues of staff suitability and risk assessments when children use certain parts of the premises. Children's behaviour is not managed effectively at times. At the inspection, some children were seen to struggle with focusing on the group discussion on preparing for the afternoon's outing. Staff did not consider more positive strategies to address this. The discussion was stopped while children were spoken to about their behaviour in front of the whole group. This does not promote children's self- esteem. Nevertheless, children do build some positive relationships with each other. Children new to the club are supported in settling in to the routine. Children are developing their independence. They select their own toys and resources and are encouraged to manage their own needs, such as washing hands and putting coats on.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children have opportunities to be physically active in the large outside area. Healthy snacks are provided and children are reminded to wash their hands before they eat. Children generally show caring attitudes towards one another as they help each other with games and activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477631 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 1048162 Type of provision Out of school provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 4 - 9 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 109 Name of registered person Clare Louise Hickman

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 April 2016 Telephone number 07591634672

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reference number

Escape4kids was registered in 2014 and is privately owned. There are five members of staff, including the manager, employed to work directly with children. The manager holds a childcare qualification at level 4. The setting is open Monday to Thursday from 8am until 6pm and Fridays 8am to 3.30pm. The setting operates during most school holidays, according to parental demand, with the exception of Christmas.

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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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