Birkenhead Sixth Form College

Club Excel Edge Grove School, High Cross, Aldenham, Watford, Hertfordshire WD25 8NL

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Inspection date 22 July 2019 Previous inspection date 10 April 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Met Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Not Applicable

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This provision is good

n Staff have a sensitive understanding of holiday childcare. They ensure that children have time to relax and interact with their friends in a positive, safe and relaxed environment. They also offer children a wide selection of activities that aid them in developing the skills that support their formal learning. n Staff make good use of the key-person system and work well with parents. They gather information about what children have been doing at home and at school. This enables them to understand children's needs. They use this information to plan activities and resources that relate to children's interests and capture their attention. n Children learn to listen, respect the views of others, negotiate and compromise. For example, they talk together about the activities on offer and make a group decision about which one to choose. n Staff make good use of their qualifications and experience. For instance, they assess

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This provision is good

activities and adapt these so that children of varying ages and abilities can participate. n Staff interact well with children and show that they are genuinely interested in them. This creates a constructive environment and helps children develop positive attitudes to play and learning. n Staff supervision and the support for their professional development are not always sharply targeted to provide further opportunities for staff to improve their practice and knowledge to an even higher level. n Staff do not always support children as well as possible to develop the skills that aid them in expressing their creativity.

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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 sharpen the focus of staff supervision and the professional development programme to offer opportunities for staff to develop their practice even further n enrich the opportunities that support children in expressing their ideas and creativity as they participate in activities.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector observed activities indoors and outside. She talked with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the setting's early years coordinator and the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the setting manager and the early years coordinator. She looked at relevant documentation, discussed the setting's self-evaluation and saw evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views. She also viewed written feedback from parents.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The manager and senior staff conscientiously evaluate the work of the setting. They review activities and talk with staff, children and parents, using their feedback to inform improvements. For example, they noted that children enjoyed using the large inflatable play equipment. Managers have now extended these resources, offering children further opportunities to have fun and develop physical skills, such as balance, control and coordination. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff complete regular training and are supported well by the manager and senior staff so that they have a good knowledge of local procedures and national initiatives. They demonstrate a clear understanding of possible threats to children's welfare and know how to report any concerns. Robust recruitment procedures and effective staff induction further promote children's welfare and safety.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff take care in getting to know children. This supports them in offering children activities and play opportunities that promote their enjoyment of the school holidays and offer them new challenges and experiences. Children participate eagerly in the activities and gain skills in listening and following instructions. For example, children using an inflatable assault course listen carefully to the safety rules and only set off to use this once the staff member has counted down from three to one. The staff member extends this further and children concentrate as they watch the non-verbal, visual cues to start and eagerly listen out for the number they have been assigned. Staff speak clearly to children and support them in communicating and in extending their vocabulary. For instance, children playing a pirate game enjoy talking about rubies, emeralds and gold coins. Team activities, such as creating 'popcorn' using bean bags and balls on a large

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

parachute, aid children in learning to work cooperatively with others. Children participate in activities that support them in extending their knowledge while they have fun and interact with their friends. For example, they develop their understanding of the natural world as they go on a nature walk, where they find and identify different insects and plants.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff build good partnerships with parents and keep them well informed of the activities planned each day and of what their children have been doing. Staff support children in building their practical skills and independence. For example, children help tidy away resources when they have finished playing with them and learn to take responsibility for their belongings, such as lunch boxes. Thoughtful daily routines, such as a short group time in the morning, help children to develop social skills as they remember one another's names and participate in discussions. Staff talk with children about their behaviour and help them understand how to manage this and to resolve any minor conflicts. Children respond to the positive environment and the support from staff. They develop the confidence to try new experiences. For example, they relish the challenge of negotiating the inflatable climbing wall. This helps build the skills and positive attitudes

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130494 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10114271 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care Age range of children 3 - 12 Total number of places 170 Number of children on roll 250 Name of registered person Club Excel Playscheme Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 10 April 2015 Telephone number 01923 469475 or 07931383885

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reference number

Club Excel registered in 2000. The club employs 46 members of childcare staff. Of these, 15 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including seven with qualified teacher status. The club opens during school summer holidays only. Sessions are from 9.30am until 3.30pm and an extended day is offered between 8.30am and 5.30pm.

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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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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.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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