Little Deers Children's Club

Inspection of Little Deers Children's Club Swing Gate Infant School And Nursery, Swing Gate Lane, Berkhamsted HP4 2LJ

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

The provider has a clear vision for the club and is keen to provide the highest- quality care for children. She has put a lot of thought and effort into making sure the children who attend experience seamless transitions. For example, children who also go to the school nursery are brought through to the club before the other children are collected for home. Children enjoy sharing a familiar story as part of registration time. Staff read in a way that excites and amuses the children. They use good intonation and a range of voices to bring each story to life.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff know their key children well. They use different themes to plan the curriculum and skilfully weave in opportunities for children to work on their next steps in learning. For example, a current focus on the story of 'The Gingerbread Man' leads children to discuss how they can use tools to make a gingerbread man from soft dough. They practise their scissor skills as they cut out pictures of the characters and learn how stories are structured with a beginning, a middle and an end.

p.2

The provision is good

Children show that they feel safe and secure in the club and take great pride in their achievements. They behave very well and promptly respond to staff instructions, for example when it is time to work with their friends to tidy away the toys.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider has a good awareness of the current strengths of the club and where she can make further improvement. For example, she has implemented a new system of support to monitor staff practice more closely and target ways to further enhance their good-quality teaching. However, this is still at the very early stages. n The provider places a strong focus on the well-being of her staff team and values the individual skills they each bring to the club. Staff are invited to attend regular meetings to share their views and gain information. They have the opportunity to request their chosen hours of work to fit in with their own lifestyle. n The provider values the ongoing commitment of staff from the school to help promote consistency for every child. The school staff make a point at each session to share pertinent information about the children they share care for. This provides the club staff with details such as the activities children have

p.2

need to do better?

enjoyed and those who may need more frequent reminders to use the toilet. n Information is presented clearly to children, and staff teach them in a way that helps to consolidate their learning over time. For instance, staff revisit the same information with children across a range of the activities that they provide. n Children show a positive attitude to learning and high levels of engagement

p.2

need to do better?

19 November 2019 when they are free to choose their own activities. However, the timing of the planned activities does not always take into account nearby distractions or the different abilities and interests of all the children, so that they are able to sustain high levels of focus. n Children show an ability to persevere and gain some of the essential skills they need for future learning. For example, they find their own belongings and use a technique they have learned to put their coat on independently. Children ably manage to secure coat zips and buttons as they get ready to play outside. n Children take part in exciting and imaginative activities to observe how they are similar or different to the other children. For example, as the club bear whispers to staff a description of who he would like to go home with, the children look at the clothes they are wearing and the colour of their hair. n Children develop increased levels of confidence and gradually begin to take on

p.2

need to do better?

the responsibility of small tasks. Through focused support and encouragement from staff, children who initially prefer to observe activities quickly become eager to participate. n Staff monitor the lunches children bring from home. They ensure the club policy to meet children's dietary requirements is strictly adhered to. Staff make sure children spend time outdoors every day and have regular drinks of water. This helps to promote their good health. n Parents and carers have high praise for the club and describe the staff and environment they have created as nurturing. They say the children are always excited to attend and state that they feel the progress their children make is impressive.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child who is at risk of harm. They know the correct procedures to follow if they have any concern about a child or the behaviour of another staff member. The provider regularly tests staff on their understanding of safeguarding issues. This helps to ensure that all staff know they have a duty of care to the children and where they can gain further support and guidance from within the club or through outside agencies.

p.3

should:

n embed the new system of support for staff to monitor and develop their practice and help raise the level of teaching to a consistently high quality n review the organisation of planned activities to minimise disruptions to children's focused attention and be more flexible to their different abilities and interests.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY548369 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10130531 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 3 to 8 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Hanson, Lynne Marie

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07956 985715 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Deers Children's Club registered in 2017. The club operates from classrooms within Swing Gate Infant School And Nursery in Berkhamsted. It is open from Monday to Friday, from 11.30am to 6pm, during term time. The club employs seven members of staff, all of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3. It provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector, provider and manager viewed all areas used for childcare and discussed the delivery of the curriculum and the learning taking place. n The inspector completed two joint observations, one with the provider and one with the manager. She spoke to staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with the provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents and carers during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.5

Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

19 November 2019 regulates and inspects to 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6