The Croft (Hertford) Ltd

The Croft (Hertford) Ltd Wheatcroft Jmi School, Stanstead Road, HERTFORD, SG13 7HQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 January 2018 13 February 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 manager and staff work very well together. They make good use of their skills and qualifications to provide children with a positive experience. Staff get to know the children well and skilfully support their early reading and social skills.  Staff have a good understanding of the needs of children after a full day in school. They create a welcoming environment and every child is greeted warmly. Staff make sure there are plenty of activities ready to interest everyone. Children of all ages enjoy their time at the club and are very happy and relaxed.  Staff work very closely with teachers at the host school. Information about the children is regularly shared. This helps to promote continuity in children's care, contribute to their learning and complement the experiences they receive.  Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents appreciate the support staff provide to their family, and value the flexibility of the provision. Parents are highly complimentary

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This provision is good

about the manager and staff.  Children say that they enjoy coming to the club and that they have fun. They say that the staff are kind and help them when they need it. Children like taking part in the many creative activities, the wide variety of games and playing football outdoors.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The arrangements for the supervision and support of staff are not fully embedded, to clearly identify how staff can raise the quality of their practice to the highest level.  At times, staff miss opportunities to encourage children to do things for themselves, to support their independence further.

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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

 enhance the current arrangements for staff support and supervision, and identify ways to raise the already good standard of practice to an even higher level  support children's independence more consistently to encourage them to do things for themselves where possible.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and the quality of staff interactions, and accompanied staff when collecting children from the classrooms.  The inspector spoke with children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. They discussed systems for monitoring staff performance and safeguarding procedures, and viewed evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working at the club.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager and staff are qualified and experienced. Some staff have worked at the club for several years. This means they know children and their families well. Staff are vigilant about children's safety. Staff are deployed well to supervise and care for children when they collect them from their classrooms. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff attend relevant training and have a good understanding of the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. The recruitment procedures are robust, and staff complete an induction programme to help them understand their roles and responsibilities. Effective systems ensure that all staff remain suitable to work with children. The manager holds regular meetings with staff to discuss and evaluate the provision.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff talk to parents and children to find out about children's individual needs, likes and interests. They use this knowledge well to plan activities which engage and motivate children. When children arrive at the club they join their friends and quickly choose what they want to do. While children are busy they talk with staff about a wide range of topics, such as what they have done in school. This helps to promote children's conversational skills and gives them a chance to share their achievements. Staff are happy to meet requests from parents to support children with their homework. Children have fun and concentrate for long periods, such as when they make pirate hats and alien masks. They colour and cut out pictures of animals and birds, and use split pins to make them move. Staff encourage children to discuss what they are making and provide lots of praise. This helps to support their communication skills and promotes their self-esteem.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere where all children and their families feel welcome. This effectively supports children's emotional well-being. Children are happy to be collected by staff following their day in school. They develop secure bonds with staff and their friends. Staff are good role models. They support children sensitively to settle at the club and to feel confident, make friendships and behave well. Children learn to take turns, share and value each other's differences. Staff supervise children well. They have a good understanding of safety procedures and help children learn how to keep themselves safe. Staff promote children's knowledge and understanding of hygiene and healthy lifestyles well. Children have many opportunities to extend their physical skills. They enjoy games, such as tennis and football, which help them to learn to cooperate, understand rules and gain good coordination.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY406193 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1065489 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 5 - 10 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 54 Name of registered person The Croft (Hertford) Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 13 February 2013 Telephone number 07909103124

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reference number

The Croft (Hertford) Ltd registered in 2010. The setting employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and 3. The setting opens Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions for the breakfast club are 7.45am until 9am. The after-school club runs from 3.15pm 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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