The Strings Club - Balham Holiday Camp

The Strings Club - Balham Holiday Camp 9 Weir Road, London, SW12 0LT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 August 2017 Not applicable

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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

 Children engage in many activities that help them to cooperate with others, share and take turns. Staff are strong role models for children. Children are polite and behave well. They listen and respond to adults, and each other, appropriately.  Staff support children's communication skills well. For example, children use descriptive language to explain how music makes them feel. Children are confident to share their thoughts and ideas with staff, who listen with interest to what they say.  Partnerships with parents and the host school are good. Staff use effective methods to share information and to support continuity of care for children. For example, they share daily newsletters with parents and invite them for a concert at the end of each holiday period.  Staff receive good professional support and access a wide range of training to develop their knowledge and skills. For example, staff attend termly training to keep up to date

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This provision is good

with current legislation. This has a positive impact on children's experiences.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently recognise opportunities that arise to develop children's independence.  Sometimes the organisation of activities is not fully effective. At times, children are not able to focus and concentrate as well as possible on their chosen activities as the background noise distracts them.

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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

 extend the opportunities for children to complete small manageable tasks to develop their independence  review and improve how activities are planned and organised, to help children to concentrate on their play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the manager and other staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector engaged with the children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector observed staff interactions with the children during indoor and outdoor play, snack and lunch times and hygiene routines.  The inspector engaged in a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector checked a sample of documents, including risk assessments, the self- evaluation form, children's records and a range of policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager and staff constantly evaluate and reflect on different aspects of the camp. Parents and children have a variety of effective opportunities to contribute feedback and suggestions. For example, children complete questionnaires about their favourite times in the camp and what improvements could be made. The manager provides ongoing support and guidance to staff through effective peer observations and supervisory meetings. Safeguarding is effective. All staff have attended safeguarding training and have a good understanding of how to keep children safe. They understand the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's well-being. Staff work well together. They make good use of their skills and qualifications, including music qualifications, to provide children with a positive experience.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

There is a strong focus on music and creative activities, and staff adapt these well for children of differing ages and stages of development. Children have lots of opportunities to learn to play different instruments, such as ukuleles, violins and guitars, through different music sessions and workshops. Staff are experienced in working with children and have a secure understanding of how to support young children in learning about music. For example, they provide enjoyable and exciting games for children to learn about 'pulse' or 'dynamics', encouraging them to play music loudly, quietly, slower and faster. During creative activities children are provided with a wide range of materials to create with and explore. For example, children make pizzas from play dough or fish tanks with recycled materials.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff successfully create a welcoming environment. They warmly greet each child and make sure there are plenty of activities ready to interest everyone. Staff provide good support for children who are new to the camp, helping them to make friends. For example, new children are buddied with older children who show them around and involve them in activities. At mealtimes staff encourage children to think about healthy eating. For example, they talk with them about what foods are healthy and the benefits of a balanced diet. This information is also shared with the parents and this is reflected in the packed lunches children bring with them. Children have lots of opportunities to be physically active and develop their coordination skills. They have regular access to a well-resourced outdoor area and choose from a variety of resources. Children have a wide range of opportunities to learn about, and value, diversity. For example, they explore music and

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY537061 Local authority Lambeth Inspection number 1068256 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 - 8 Total number of places 64 Number of children on roll 9 Name of registered person The Strings Club Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 020 8772 3504

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reference number

The Strings Club - Balham Holiday Camp registered in 2016. It operates from The London Steiner School, in Balham. The club is open Monday to Friday from 8am until 5.45pm during the school holidays. One member of staff holds an appropriate qualification at level 2.

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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

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