Active Stars Holiday Club

Inspection of Active Stars Holiday Club The Stanway School, Winstree Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex CO3 0QA

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This provision meets requirements

Children are happy and enthusiastic as they arrive at the holiday club. They are met by welcoming staff and children are keen to share their news with them. The atmosphere at the club is very positive. Children move around freely, inside and outside. Children have many opportunities to be involved in decision-making about the activities and resources provided each day. As a result, children are keen to participate and remain engaged for long periods of time.

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This provision meets requirements

Children behave very well. They are friendly and form strong relationships with staff and each other. Children share the resources and enjoy taking part in activities together. Staff engage enthusiastically with children as they play. Children show a good understanding of the club rules and follow them well. They are confident to share their views and say the club 'is very good fun'.

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This provision meets requirements

Children have fun as they take part in a wide range of activities and experiences at the club. They enjoy games, crafts and physical play. For example, children make colourful sand pictures and play giant snakes and ladders. Sporting activities, such as archery and basketball, are also available. These activities help children to build on their communication, social, physical and creative skills.

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need to do better?

n The club is run by the dedicated owner, who is also the manager. She is passionate about providing a high-quality, inclusive environment. The manager frequently meets with staff to evaluate the provision and consider any changes. This helps ensure continuous improvements in the quality of service. n Staff create a play environment to support children's interests. They give children frequent opportunities to request the resources and activities they enjoy playing with. As a result, children really enjoy spending time at the club. n Staff have clear expectations for children's behaviour. They discuss the club rules with children at the beginning of each session. Staff provide strategies to help children manage their behaviour. For example, children use sand timers independently to help them take turns and share. n At the start of each session, staff and children introduce themselves. Children listen and respond with confidence as they engage in conversation. For example,

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need to do better?

they discuss their favourite animals and pets. Staff support children to respect their different views and opinions. n The manager collects information about children before they start at the club. Staff have strategies in place to effectively support new children to become familiar with the club and settle quickly. Staff know children well and support their individual needs. This helps to support children's well-being.

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need to do better?

19 August 2021 n Children show a strong sense of teamwork as they play together. For example, children are eager to tell staff they have worked as a team to make 'the biggest volcano in the world'. Staff enthusiastically praise children and reward them with stickers. n Children are familiar with the routines at the club. They develop independence in managing their own needs. Staff promote healthy lifestyles. They talk with children about healthy food options, such as fresh fruit and vegetables at mealtimes. n Parents speak very positively about the club. They say staff 'go over and above' to share information with them at the end of each day. Parents appreciate that staff quickly get to know children extremely well. They value the procedures in place to help keep children safe and secure during their time at the club. n The manager ensures that all areas used by children are checked before they arrive and any hazards to children's safety are removed. Effective systems are in

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need to do better?

place to help staff manage children's allergies and individual dietary requirements. As a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus ) pandemic, staff have implemented additional cleaning procedures throughout the day. This helps to promote children's safety and well-being. n Staff have an induction before they start at the club. This helps to support their understanding of their role and responsibilities. Staff say they feel supported by the manager. She regularly provides feedback to staff, to support improvement in their practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager completes mandatory safeguarding and designated person training. She ensures that staff have a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and how to respond to concerns about a child's welfare. Staff know how to identify when a child might be at risk and understand the correct action to take. The manager implements safer recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Appropriate policies and procedures are in place with regards to the use of mobile phones and cameras at the club. Effective risk assessments are in place to minimise risks to children within the environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2498499 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10191729 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 80 Number of children on roll 350 Name of registered person Active Stars Holiday Club Ltd.

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reference number

Telephone number 07521514877 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Active Stars Holiday Club registered in 2019. The setting operates Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm, during school holidays.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken this into account in her evaluation. n The inspector viewed all areas of the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises with the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a tour of the provision together and discussed the play opportunities available to children. n Children shared their views with the inspector. n The inspector observed staff interaction with the children indoors and outside and spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into account.

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Inspection activities

19 August 2021 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

19 August 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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