The Strings Club - Islington Holiday Camp

The Strings Club - Islington Holiday Camp New North Academy, 32 Popham Road London, Islington, London N1 8SJ

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Inspection date 29 August 2019 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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 Children are happy, comfortable and content at the camp. Staff are extremely welcoming and caring. They help children to settle quickly and develop very trusting and encouraging relationships. Children show confidence to try new things. n Children benefit from good-quality experiences. Leaders and staff are highly knowledgeable about how children learn and plan a variety of well-thought-out activities that are fun, interesting and challenging. Children show good enjoyment during their time at the camp. n Staff place high importance on supporting children's emotional well-being and nurturing their social skills. Children behave extremely well. They listen respectfully to each other, play collaboratively together and enjoy making new friendships. n Leaders are extremely passionate and ambitious. They have high expectations for all children and are committed to providing high-quality music and creative activities.

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This provision is good

There are excellent systems in place to listen to staff, parents and children's ideas on how to make ongoing improvements. Children speak positively about their time at the camp. n Information sharing with parents is a real strength. This is evident when parents receive daily newsletters and diaries about their children's day. They also receive musical passports which provide regular progress updates on their children's new achievements. n On occasions, the organisation of group music sessions means that waiting times at the start of the lesson are rather long, and some children's personal development is not fully maximised as they have to wait to have a turn with an instrument.

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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 review the organisation of large group teaching sessions to minimise waiting times at the start and ensure each child's personal development is supported to the highest level throughout the entire lesson.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents and considered their views. n The inspector held a leadership meeting and discussed how the provision is organised and evaluated. n The inspector viewed the premises to assess that they are safe and suitable. n The inspector looked at essential documentation, such as staff suitability check information and training certificates.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Good teamwork and communication are evident throughout the camp. Leaders follow safe recruitment procedures and carry out thorough suitability checks to help ensure that staff are suitable for their roles. There is a in-depth induction in place to help staff understand their responsibilities. Leaders are extremely dedicated and motivated to continue to improve the provision. They closely monitor staff performance and support their ongoing professional development. Staff complete essential safeguarding training when they start and understand how to report any concerns they may have that children may be at risk of harm. Staff carry out daily risk assessments. For instance, they check that areas of the camp, both indoors and outdoors, are free from hazards in order to minimise risks to children. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are committed to planning a wide range of rich and educational experiences. Children benefit from music lessons and a creative workshop each day, as well as plenty of opportunities to freely choose different activities and resources based on their interests. Children enjoy voting for songs and making suggestions, and their ideas and views are well listened to. They are also supported to learn the names of different musical instrument parts, such as the tuning pegs and frets. Children delight in singing and playing familiar songs on the ukulele, such as 'Row, row, row your boat', and display good engagement and enjoyment. Children are taught to understand similarities and differences and to learn about diversity. For instance, they discuss different film characters and listen to familiar songs. They are also introduced to different musical genres and artists, and their imaginations are fostered through discussions about

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

different styles of music. Staff actively join in with children's play and provide encouragement. This is evident when staff question children about their creations made from building blocks. Children show good concentration and are motivated to join in.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

There is a strong ethos at the camp to promote children's confidence and self-esteem. Staff frequently give children praise and encouragement for their individual efforts. Leaders are passionate about the positive effects of music for everyone. Children who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities are very well supported, and teaching sessions are adapted depending on children's age or abilities. Staff gain information from parents when their children start, to support their individual needs. Staff are good role models and frequently offer explanations about expected behaviour. Children learn to listen to each other, share and take turns. They have frequent opportunities to be active outdoors. In addition, staff work closely with parents and encourage them to provide nutritious snacks and packed lunches to support children's growing understanding of healthy lifestyles. The

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

atmosphere created at the camp is friendly and welcoming. Children clearly develop a broad range of skills that complement their overall learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY546695 Local authority Islington Inspection number 10103490 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 4 - 9 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person The Strings Club Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 0121 296 9204

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reference number

The Strings Club - Islington Holiday Camp registered in 2017 and is located in the London Borough of Islington. The club operates Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm during school holidays only. The manager holds a childcare qualification at level 3.

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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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