Jousters at Wheatfields

Jousters at Wheatfields Wheatfields Junior & Infant School, Downes Road, ST. ALBANS, Hertfordshire, AL4 9NT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 August 2017 13 May 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

 The environment that the staff create is warm and welcoming. Children arrive eagerly and demonstrate that they are comfortable and familiar with the routine. For example, they know where to safely store their personal belongings and quickly engage in activities, such as designing an apron.  The manager monitors the dedicated team of staff well to support their continued professional development. Staff receive regular supervision meetings, visit other Jousters clubs and attend training to build on their skills. This has a positive impact on children's experiences, for example, staff now include further opportunities for children to learn about assessing their own risks.  Parents comment positively about the club. They describe the staff as 'warm and kind' and how they view them as 'positive role models'.  Staff provide a wide range of interesting experiences and also organise for outside professionals to visit the club, for example a reptile roadshow. Children learn to respect

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This provision is good

and carefully handle animals, such as lizards, snakes and chameleons.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff have not explored further ways to enable all children to freely express their evolving interests to enable staff to include them within the planning.  Staff do not always identify opportunities to encourage children to access and use some less visible equipment to fully support their spontaneous ideas.

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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

 explore further opportunities for children to express their ongoing individual interests to enable these to be fully incorporated into planned activities and experiences  encourage children to think about and access a range of equipment to fully support their spontaneous ideas as they play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the activities indoors and outdoors and the interactions between staff and children.  The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the provider.  The inspector held a meeting with the two club supervisors and the provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided also spoke to parents during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The management team and staff understand their responsibility to safeguard children and know what to do if they have a concern about a child's welfare. The provider takes robust steps to ensure the suitability of those employed to work with children. Staff completed a detailed induction process, enabling them to be fully aware of their roles and responsibilities. A password system is in place to ensure that only authorised adults are permitted to collect children. Most of the staff team hold a paediatric first-aid certificate. All staff deploy themselves well to ensure they can swiftly respond promptly to any potential accidents or request help from those who are qualified. The management team reviews the quality of the provision through effective self-evaluation. Strong partnerships between the club and children's teachers at the schools they attend help provide continuity for children's time at the club.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children welcome the sensitive interaction of staff in their play. Staff support children's speech and language skills. For example, they ask them questions and express a genuine interest as children recall previous experiences. Children use their imagination to create a pretend swimming pool using various sized wooden building blocks. They experiment with these blocks to create strong structures. Older children and younger children play harmoniously together. For example, they take turns to roll smaller blocks along the floor to knock the strong structures over and play a game of cricket outdoors together. Children enjoy gathering a range of natural materials to create a fairy garden. They search for bugs which motivates them to build a bug house from small sticks. Staff challenge children to think about how to stop the water overflowing from the small pond they have made and why the water has gathered on one side of the large tray.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well and follow the expectations of the club. They receive good help to think about keeping healthy and safe. For example, staff remind them to drink plenty of water on warm days and to wear their sun hat for playing outdoors. Children consistently follow a good hygiene routine and learn about healthy food choices. Staff provide children with a wide range of nutritious snacks. They develop good independence skills as they confidently prepare their own fruit kebabs and make their own decision when to eat their snack. Staff provide children with choices of what they would like to do depending on their energy levels. For example, some children are physically active in the large outdoor area. They use the large apparatus or ride on their scooters or bikes brought in from home. Others choose to engage in quiet activities, such as making patterns from beads.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY360917 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1065030 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 80 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person Jousters Childcare Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 13 May 2013 Telephone number 07929594072

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reference number

Jousters at Wheatfields registered in 2008. It is one of eight provisions privately run by Jousters Childcare Limited. The club employs 24 members of staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3 or above, including two members of staff with qualified teacher status. The club opens from 7.45am until 9am and from 3pm until 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. It also operates a holiday club during most school holidays from 8am until 6pm.

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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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