Play 4 Ages Ltd

Inspection of Play 4 Ages Ltd Valley Invicta Primary School, 4 Warwick Way, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4AL

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This provision meets requirements

All children are happy, confident and settled. They enjoy their time at the club and are excited to attend after school. They happily come into the club and greet staff warmly. Children are eager to join in with the activities that staff skilfully plan for them. Children are confident to communicate their thoughts and ideas. For example, as they play with dinosaurs and fairies, they create their own narrative that they confidently share with their friends. They bring their fantasies alive as they play. For instance, they use cardboard boxes to create their idea of a dinosaur cave.

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This provision meets requirements

Children gain good social skills and develop meaningful friendships. All children behave well and are polite. They follow the rules and know staff expectations. Children enjoy physical play. They include each other in a variety of team games, such as ping-pong and basketball. Children gain a secure understanding of the importance of healthy lifestyles. For instance, they independently follow good health and hygiene routines and learn about the importance of washing away germs. Children access fresh air and exercise daily, and understand the benefits of exercise. Children have good opportunities to be creative. For example, they enjoy sewing activities to create pictures.

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need to do better?

n Staff establish positive relationships with children. They get to know their individual personalities well. They know what individual children like and dislike. This enables them to plan experiences that they know will engage children in their play opportunities. n Children have a good sense of belonging and positive well-being and self- esteem. They enjoy their time at the club and take ownership during their time there. For example, they independently make choices in their own play and confidently request new resources and activities. Staff are happy to listen to children and implement their ideas into the club plans. n All staff establish positive relationships with parents and keep them fully informed. For instance, they share information about their child's day at the club and pass on any information from teachers about their time at school. n The managers and staff build and maintain positive partnerships with the

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need to do better?

teachers at the school where they run the club. They complement the activities taking place in school. For example, staff help children to prepare for their upcoming spelling test. This helps staff to provide children with consistency between the club and their class experiences at the school. n Managers and staff effectively evaluate their practice together. For instance, at the end of each day, they talk about how well they engaged children in their

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need to do better?

30 September 2021 play experiences. Staff use their findings to support their future activity plans. The managers highlight that they wish to further develop a cosy area where children can go to engage in quieter activities and relax. n The managers closely monitor the quality of care and play opportunities that staff provide children. They regularly observe staff as they interact and play with children. Managers provide staff with helpful advice to support their future performance. All staff complete regular training. They are keen to keep up to date with new information and continue to build on their skills and knowledge. For example, they recently learned about how to support children's mental health and emotional well-being. n Staff help children to have respect and understanding of other peoples' cultures and beliefs. They learn about festivals celebrated from around the world, such as Diwali and traditional Mexican celebrations.

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need to do better?

n Staff praise children's achievements, and in turn, the children challenge and praise each other with maturity. For example, they create races of who can complete a puzzle first. Children are resilient and keep trying even when they do not succeed the first time. For instance, they continue to try and complete a cube challenge. They tell their friends with determination, 'I will do this'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff, including the managers, have a secure knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding and child protection policies. They know who to contact for advice and how to raise and follow up any potential concerns. Staff complete detailed risk assessments to help keep children, parents and staff safe. This includes how to help minimise the risk of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Staff ensure that there is a thorough cleaning routine in place. Children take an active role in risk assessments and know how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, they use challenging equipment, such as large climbing walls and firefighter poles with confidence and maturity. They are encouraged to think about how they will get down safely if they climb up to the top.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY561780 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10194171 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 25 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Play 4 Ages Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07855999606 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Play 4 Ages Ltd registered in 2018. It is an out-of-school provision located in the grounds of Valley Invicta Primary School, West Malling in Kent. The setting is open Monday to Thursday from 3pm until 6pm, term time only. The setting employs six members of staff, five of whom hold relevant early years qualification at level 2 and above. This includes two members of staff who hold a level 4 early years qualification.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting has received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and staff and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of staff interactions and the play opportunities they provide children. n The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor environments. n Written documentation was reviewed by the inspector; this included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n At convenient times during the inspection, the inspector spoke to the manager, children, parents and staff and considered their views.

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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

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

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