Hitchin Fun Club At Highbury School

Inspection of Hitchin Fun Club At Highbury School Highbury Infant School, Standhill Road, HITCHIN, Hertfordshire SG4 9AG

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This provision does not meet requirements

Overall, children enjoy their time at the club. However, arrangements in the school dining area used at the start of the session do not consistently meet the needs of the children. Children are required sit to for a sustained period of time and have limited access to a range of alternative resources and activities. Their behaviours begin to deteriorate and noise levels begin to rise. For example, during circle time, children fidget and do not always listen to staff and, after their snack, some children run energetically around the room and slide along the floor. Furthermore, a breach of requirements in relation to child protection undermines children's safety and well-being.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Nevertheless, children are warmly welcomed by the staff and demonstrate that they are happy and settled. They enjoy the company of their friends and develop appropriate relationships with staff. When the children move from the dining area to the school hall, they have more effective opportunities to independently choose from a wider range of resources and activities. They have fun and become engaged in their play with their friends. Children extend their problem-solving and hand-to-eye coordination skills as they design and build their own marble runs. They learn to take their turn and to follow instructions during games such as snap and matching pairs. Children use their imaginations as they play with the cars and toy garage. They enjoy manoeuvring the vehicles along the floor.

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need to do better?

n Weaknesses in the overarching safeguarding procedure means that children's well-being is potentially compromised. Additionally, arrangements at the start of the session are not consistently effective. Children, occasionally, demonstrate inappropriate behaviours, and opportunities for them to access a range of activities and resources after a busy day at school are limited. n Children are provided with healthy, balanced and nutritious snacks during their time at the club. Staff obtain information regarding any special dietary requirements, preferences and food allergies, and ensure they adhere to this information accordingly. However, staff leave the children's snack uncovered on tables for a sustained period of time before it is eaten. Some of the sliced fruit became dry and a child was observed touching the snack on the table as they walked by. This increases the risk of contamination and compromises the

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need to do better?

children's health and well-being. n Staff have adapted daily routines, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents are not allowed in the building, staff wear face coverings and the children's temperature is taken on arrival. Children regularly sanitise their hands during their time at the club.

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need to do better?

30 November 2021 n Staff are kind and care about the children in their care. They join in the children's play. Young children have a designated key person, and staff form appropriate relationships with staff at the school. This helps to ensure that children's care is tailored to their individual needs and that their ongoing development continues to be guided by the staff. n Staff develop sound partnerships with parents, and when asked children are confident to talk about what they like to do when they come to the club. Some children say they really enjoy playing with the dolls and others speak about enjoying going outside to play. n Staff receive ongoing supervision meetings with management. They complete all required mandatory training, and are encouraged to enhance their existing knowledge and skills by completing additional training. For example, staff have recently completed autism awareness and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

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need to do better?

training. This increases their understand of how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Management has not ensured that staff understand and can implement their safeguarding policies and procedures. Some staff, including one of the designated safeguarding leads, are unable to confidently identify possible signs of abuse and neglect, including radicalisation, and where they should report a concern. Staff complete risk assessments to ensure the premises and equipment used by the children is safe. They supervise the children appropriately. All staff are subject to appropriate checks to ensure they are suitable to work with children.

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Due date

ensure that the designated safeguarding lead, and all staff, can confidently identify signs of abuse and neglect, and understand and can implement the safeguarding procedures in order to safeguard children 24/12/2021

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Due date

make sure arrangements, at the start of the session, meet the needs of the children attending 24/12/2021

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Due date

30 November 2021 ensure the good health of children, this refers to staff leaving the children's snack uncovered on tables for a sustained period of time before it is eaten. 24/12/2021

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2567156 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10216096 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 35 Number of children on roll 52

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Name of registered person

Hitchin Fun Club At Highbury School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07783027534 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Hitchin Fun Club At Highbury School registered in 2020. The club employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The club opens during term time from Monday to Friday. Sessions are from 3.15pm until 6pm. Additionally, the club opens during school holidays and sessions are from 7.45am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manger and provider, and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the club. n The inspector took a tour of the club with the manager. They talked about how the club is organised and discussed the play opportunities they provide for children. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions during indoor activities between staff and children. n Staff and children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n A sample of documents was reviewed by the inspector. This included evidence of staff suitability and training. n Parents shared their views about the club with the inspector. n The inspector held a meeting with the registered provider.

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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 November 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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