Dovecote Children And Families Project

Inspection of Dovecote Children And Families Project Dovecote Centre, Nightingale Avenue, Oxford OX4 7BU

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This provision meets requirements

Children are happy and excited as they arrive at the club after school. They know about new routines and boundaries in place due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, and they confidently follow these. For instance, children arrive and sanitise their hands and have their temperature taken. They understand that they must only use equipment the club has provided for them, such as the contents in their individually named pencil cases. Staff are effective in supporting children's growing understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy.

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This provision meets requirements

Children have access to a good range of resources and activities. Staff ask children for their views and ideas and use these well to help plan themes and activities. For example, children used an assortment of 'junk' to make models, such as a pair of binoculars.

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This provision meets requirements

Children form strong friendships. The enjoy one another's company as they take part in activities such as games, crafts and sports. This helps children to build on their social, physical and creative skills. Staff engage with children enthusiastically during meaningful conversations. For instance, children worked exceptionally well together to create their scarecrow. They tied the string and stuffed the body and head with straw, to create their scarecrow. Children are confident. They feel safe and secure at the after-school club.

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need to do better?

n The manager shares her vision with the dedicated staff team. She has an excellent knowledge of the needs and priorities of the local area and uses this well to drive practice and to ensure that families receive the support they need. For example, children and their families are excited for the planned play scheme trip to the seaside. This helps to meet children's individual needs well. n Staff create an extremely inclusive environment where diversity is highly respected. Staff are excellent role models and treat children with high levels of respect. They know the children well and genuinely care about the children's enjoyment while at the club. n Children are energetic in their physical play. They make the most of the club's large play area as they develop team-building skills. They negotiate space as they play a range of ball games and develop their coordination as they climb the climbing frame and slide down the slide.

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need to do better?

n Parents share very positive views about the provision. They describe the after- school provision as a 'life-saver' and an invaluable provision for working parents. Parents say that staff take time to get to know their children and build relationships with them. They say that their children are happy and comment on

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need to do better?

1 July 2021 them not wanting to leave the club at home time. n Children have helped staff to devise a range of club rules and refer to these when managing their own behaviour. Children behave well and are polite and considerate to one another. They receive plenty of praise and encouragement from the nurturing staff team. n Staff collect children from the local school and take time to talk to teachers at collection times. This helps to support the partnership working between the club and school. However, the manager has identified that she would like to further improve the links created between the club and the teachers at school to contribute further to meeting children's needs consistently. n Professional development is strong. Staff say that they are very well supported. Robust supervision procedures help to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and have a strong understanding of their role.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide children with light meals. Snack time has changed at the club, in line with COVID-19 requirements. Staff have made suitable adaptations and children demonstrate good levels of independence and make healthy choices, within the COVID-19 context. Children enjoy the social aspects of sharing this time together. They chat to their friends and staff about their day and their interests. For example, children chat about who will attend the play scheme in the summer holidays.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff complete training to keep their child protection knowledge up to date. They are aware of the signs of abuse and neglect and know the local referral procedures to follow if they have a concern. They are aware of the duty to prevent children from being drawn into situations that put them at risk. The premises are secure so that children cannot leave unsupervised and unwanted visitors cannot gain access. Staff identify and successfully minimise potential risks in the premises. Recruitment and selection procedures meet requirements. This helps to ensure that staff are suitable to work with the children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY553526 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10133905 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

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 9 Name of registered person Dovecote Voluntary Parent Committee CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01865 712299 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Dovecote Children And Families Project re-registered in 2017, as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. It operates from the Dovecote Centre in the Greater Leys area of the City of Oxford. The setting operates an after-school club during school term times on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3.30pm to 5.15pm. In addition, a play scheme is available during the Easter and summer holidays, and on occasions during some half terms. There are four staff, three of whom hold appropriate early years childcare qualifications, including one member of staff who has a qualification at level 6.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector had a learning walk with the manager through all areas of the premises used by the children. n Parents shared their views through written feedback. The inspector took these views into account. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions during activities and assessed the impact on children's enjoyment and engagement. n The inspector looked at a sample of documentation. This included evidence about suitability and training records.

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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.

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Inspection activities

1 July 2021 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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