Stevenage Play Learning & Activity Team Ltd

Stevenage Play Learning & Activity Team Ltd Featherstone Wood Primary School, Featherston Road, Stevenage, SG2 9PP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 December 2016 9 August 2016

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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

 The well-qualified manager and staff team have made significant improvement in the provision they offer since the previous inspection. They have successfully addressed the actions raised and are committed to reflecting on and improving the club even further. The key-person system is highly effective. Children have strong attachments with staff, who are responsive to their needs.  Children use good manners, behave well and develop good relationships with each other. Mixed-age groups for planned activities help to create a positive learning environment as older children act as good role models for younger children.  Staff plan exciting experiences that motivate children to participate and have fun in their learning through play. For example, children conduct scientific experiments. They mix some sweets and fizzy drink together in a plastic bottle and discover how much of each they need to create froth to spill over the top of their bottle.

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This provision is good

 Staff deploy themselves effectively and communicate well with each other to support children's play. Children demonstrate that they truly enjoy attending this welcoming club and the freedom to play either indoors or outdoors.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, staff do not give children the best possible opportunities to develop their independence in their self-help skills.  Staff have not yet been wholly successful in building secure partnerships with teachers from all schools that children attend, in order to further support children's experiences at the club.

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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

 offer children more opportunities that challenge them to be more independent in their self-help skills  explore further ways to enhance communication with teachers from all schools that children attend, in order to further support children's experiences at the club.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff interactions with children during their play, both indoors and outdoors.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club, policies and procedures.  The inspector discussed the club's self-evaluation process with the manager.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and also took account of their written views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding children are effective. Staff have completed specialist training to help them understand how to support vulnerable families. This helps them to identify any children who may be at risk of harm from extreme behaviours and views. Staff know what to do if they have any concerns about a child's welfare and are highly vigilant about safety as children play. Children are encouraged to recognise risks and contribute to risk assessments. This helps them to gain a good understanding of assessing risks during their own play. For example, children work out the safest way to transport a small truck down the hill to the playground area. The manager regularly observes staff's practice. She uses this information to precisely support staff during supervision meetings to help them continue to develop their knowledge and skills. The manager follows robust recruitment and induction procedures to ensure that staff working with children are

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

All children are engaged in decision making and play an active role in planning activities. Staff meet with the children at the beginning of the session to talk about their day and establish what activities they would like to participate in. Children concentrate for long periods of time as they express their creativity during art and craft activities. They demonstrate perseverance and a very positive attitude when presented with challenging activities. For example, they work out how to connect the correct coloured wires together to create an electrical circuit to light up a small lightbulb. Children have ample space to play. They use their vivid imagination to prepare meals using pots and pans that they pretend to serve to the toy figures in the doll house. Children dress up in their chosen Christmas costumes and practise acting out a play in preparation for staff and children to watch later in the day. Partnerships with parents are good. Parents visit the club to teach

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

children new skills, such as crocheting. Staff share information with parents daily about the activities and routines that their children take part in. They also provide ideas to support children's experiences at home. Parents are positive about the care their children receive; they describe the staff as, 'Brilliant'.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff know children extremely well and warmly welcome them as they arrive. They work closely with children when they first begin attending to help them feel safe and build a sense of trust in their new environment. Children grow in confidence as they learn new skills, such as the rules of a new team game. Mealtimes are well organised and provide good quality learning experiences. For example, children serve themselves a range of healthy, nutritious food. They develop a wide range of tastes as they try traditional foods from different countries. Children sit alongside friends of all ages and staff help them to understand the importance of a healthy diet. Children positively benefit from daily fresh air and exercise. They climb and balance on large equipment within the club's grounds and during organised visits to local parks with staff. Visiting professionals, such as football and rugby coaches, enhance children's physical capabilities. For example, they learn how to

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482593 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1067759 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 - 12 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 115 Name of registered person Stevenage Play Learning & Activity Team Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 9 August 2016 Telephone number 07514188258

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reference number

Stevenage Play Learning & Activity Team Ltd was registered in 2014. The holiday club employs eight members of staff, including the provider. Of these, four hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 and above, including the manager, who holds level 5. The club opens Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6.15pm during school holidays only.

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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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