Strong Roots Childcare After School Club

Strong Roots Childcare After School Club St Bernadette Catholic Jmi School, Walsingham Way, London Colney, St Albans AL2 1NL

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Inspection date 20 November 2018 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Not applicable Effectiveness of leadership and management Outstanding 1 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Not Applicable

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This provision is outstanding

n Children demonstrate extremely positive behaviour. Older children are particularly kind and helpful to one another and naturally praise the younger children. For example, when young children show them their art work, older children respond positively with 'wow, that is so good'. Staff help different-aged children to form close bonds and attachments, which raises children's sense of self-esteem and confidence. n Staff actively promote children's safety and welfare. They encourage children to carry out their own risk assessments to determine potential risks and hazards. Staff support young children to use a wide range of tools, such as hammers, in a safe and secure environment. They help children to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding about keeping themselves safe. n The owner is highly driven. Her commitment to continuous improvement is exemplary. She is exceptionally proactive in obtaining feedback from staff, children and parents.

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This provision is outstanding

This supports her to extend the club's regular, in-depth evaluations even further. n Staff provide a highly stimulating environment that motivates children. They offer children an excellent range of activities and experiences, which children are very eager to join in with. For example, children construct and deconstruct their own creations. They work together as they build with tyres and pallets and use an extensive range of natural materials. This promotes their use of imagination extremely well. n Children are cared for in a highly inclusive, warm and inspiring environment. Staff promote equality and diversity and extend children's understanding of their local communities. This helps children to develop care and compassion for others. n The commitment staff demonstrate to their roles and responsibilities is exemplary. They attend regular training and consistently research new and exciting projects for children

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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

n consider even more ways to enrich the partnership working with the schools that children attend.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the activities indoors and outdoors and viewed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector held a meeting with the owner/manager. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector accompanied staff on a walk to collect children from the host school. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the club manager. She and the manager evaluated the quality of staff's interactions with children and discussed future plans to improve.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are highly vigilant in their approach, ensuring that children's safety is paramount. They have an excellent knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow if they have concerns about the welfare of children in their care. The manager and her staff team are inspirational in their drive to provide the highest levels of enjoyment for children. Staff ensure that the environment is extremely welcoming. There is an excellent range of children's art work and creations on display, alongside inspirational ideas for children and parents to enjoy together at home. Staff have exemplary partnerships with parents, who are very eager to express their extremely positive feedback about the club. Staff use highly effective strategies for communicating with parents, carers and grandparents. This means the families of children attending the club are consistently aware of what the children are

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

doing each day. The staff talk regularly to teaching staff at the host school. They make effective use of a communication book to share information about children's progress or any concerns. This contributes extremely well to children's overall care and well-being. The manager has plans to further enrich the partnership working with other schools that children attend.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children spend their time purposefully at the club. They engage extremely well in activities and experiences that are stimulating, fun and interesting. Children are highly involved in the planning of activities. They share their own ideas and make suggestions to staff. Children make decisions about their play and change the direction of this mid- way to incorporate new ideas. Staff provide excellent opportunities for children to develop their curiosity and imagination and children work very well together. As children each create individual items with clay, older children compliment the youngest children on what they make. Children are extremely confident. For example, they talk about their day at school or what they did with their families at the weekend. They listen and show respect for others, demonstrating that they value what their peers have to say. Children have fun and are spontaneous, for example, as they decide to make dens. They

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

confidently collect cushions and pieces of material to use and they invite the willing staff to help them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff significantly contribute to children's health and well-being. Through high standards of care and excellent hygiene practice, staff support the personal care needs of all children. Staff offer outstanding opportunities for fresh air, exercise and healthy meal options, supporting children to lead and understand the importance of healthy lifestyles. Children's behaviour is excellent. They are extremely clear about what is and is not acceptable behaviour. Children create their own 'club rules' and are consulted often about their views and opinions. For example, the club regularly raises funds for particular charities. Staff talk with children about how their support helps others and they decide on what they can do to raise money. This helps children to develop empathy for others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY536902 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10076796 Type of provision Out-of-school day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 4 - 11 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person Strong Roots Childcare Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01727-822489

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reference number

Strong Roots Childcare After School Club registered in 2016. The club employs three members of childcare staff. All of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The club opens Monday to Friday, from 3pm until 6pm, term time only.

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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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procedures set out in the guidance Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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