Hitchin Fun Club, After School and Holiday Club

Hitchin Fun Club, After School and Holiday Club Highbury Infant School, Standhill Road, HITCHIN, Hertfordshire SG4 9AG

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Inspection date 20 August 2019 Previous inspection date 22 November 2018

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Previous inspection: Not Met (with actions)

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Effectiveness of leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Not Applicable

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This is a provision that requires improvement

n Leaders do not always process concerns about children's safety or welfare in a timely manner. n Although staff complete basic training, there are few opportunities currently offered to increase their knowledge and professional development.

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It has the following strengths

n Leaders and managers have worked hard to make suitable improvements to the club since the last inspection. All actions have been successfully met and this has raised the quality of the provision for children. n Staff plan activities that motivate children and build their concentration. They interact positively with children and encourage them to develop their problem-solving skills and independence. n Children arrive happy and settle quickly. They enjoy spending time in this well-planned environment and decide what they would like to do next from the good range of activities available. n Parents report they are happy with the care provided for their children, the feedback given at the end of each session, and they find the staff very approachable.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date ensure the safeguarding procedures are followed and information is notified to other agencies in a timely manner. 20/09/2019

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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 increase opportunities for staff to engage in professional development activities to develop their good practice even further.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector observed the quality of staff interactions and play during activities and assessed the outcome on children's development. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of persons working with children. n The inspector took account of the views of parents.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. Leaders and managers have made effective improvements since the last inspection. The processes for recruiting and vetting new staff have been improved and are now sufficiently robust to ensure the suitability of prospective staff. New induction procedures have been introduced to ensure staff understand their role. Senior managers complete observations of staff practice and carry out regular supervision meetings to support staff. Staff attend safeguarding training. They have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children's welfare. However, concerns about children's safety or welfare are not always passed on to other agencies within an appropriate timescale. Staff ensure that all areas of the club are safe. For example, they complete regular risk assessments and daily checks. Risk assessments are also completed for all outings. Staff have good links with the school. This helps to

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Effectiveness of leadership and management requires improvement

ensure they are well informed to promote children's continuity of care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide children with a warm and welcoming environment. They support and encourage children to take part in activities. For example, children develop skills to persevere as they build dens together. They are engaged and concentrate well. Children listen carefully to instructions and staff give clear explanations of steps to take. Children choose activities from a good range of resources. Staff set age-appropriate challenges and encourage children to have a go and complete tasks. For example, children enjoy making biscuits and use opportunities to think of and lead new activities. Verbal feedback helps to keep parents informed about their children's day and what activities they have taken part in.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

The weakness in leadership and management about processing concerns impacts on children's wellbeing. Despite this, children's behaviour is good and they are happy and relaxed. Staff communicate clear expectations and boundaries to all children. They supervise children closely, supporting them to resolve any disagreements and to look for their own solutions to problems. Staff talk to children about the benefits of eating well and provide healthy snacks throughout the day. Children learn about the food that they eat as they have opportunities to grow and take care of plants, such as tomatoes. Children are encouraged to develop their self-care skills. For example, they help to tidy up after activities and wash their hands before eating and after toileting. Children have easy access to the outdoor areas every day. They enjoy spending time outdoors on the climbing equipment, doing exercises and planning their own activities from a large

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Setting details

Unique reference number 146766 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10119773 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 - 12 Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 66 Name of registered person Hitchin and Strathmore Fun Club Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 November 2018 Telephone number 01462 450925

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reference number

Hitchin Fun Club, After School and Holiday Club opened in 1989 and is managed by a voluntary committee. The club employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate qualifications at level 3. The club opens from 3.10pm to 6pm from Monday to Friday, during term time. During the school holidays, the club is open from 7.45am until 6pm from Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.

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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.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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