Explorers Den

Inspection of Explorers Den Hyde Park Junior School, Hyde Park Road, Plymouth, Devon PL3 4RH

p.1

This provision meets requirements

Staff enthusiastically greet children as they leave school. As they wait for their peers to arrive, staff ensure children keep busy from the beginning. For instance, children run up and down on the spot and sing 'head, shoulders, knees and toes' accompanied with actions. This helps to keep children entertained and active until everyone has arrived. Once at the club, children quickly become engaged in a good variety of activities. Children enjoy creative activities, such as dough or sand play. Older children impressively create sea creatures with the sand, using just their hands and their imagination. Younger children make pretend food and money with dough, so staff can 'buy' what they have made.

p.2

This provision meets requirements

Children are happy and settled. They behave well and understand the rules of the club. For example, when staff clap their hands, children know to stop what they are doing and listen to an adult. Children are also aware that they need to wash their hands before eating and do so independently. Children are polite and caring towards each other and are confident to talk to visitors about their experiences.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children benefit from healthy lifestyles. Staff provide children with nutritious snacks, such as chicken, fruit and vegetables. Opportunities for outdoor play are good and children can free flow into the large school grounds and adventure playground. Children enjoy swinging on 'monkey bars' and playing ball games to expend their energy. n Staff keep parents informed of their child's day, such as passing on information from the host school, as well as the activities their children have enjoyed at the club. Overall, parents provide positive comments and state how children enjoy attending. n Staff plan a good range of activities to help keep children engaged. Although some children comment that they are not always asked by staff about what activities they would like to play with, to enable children to contribute to the planning. n Children take part in cultural activities throughout the year. For instance,

p.2

need to do better?

children make 'tigers' for Chinese New Year and use recycling materials to make these. They talk about the different animals that represent each year and the story that accompanies each animal. Children have a good understanding of the world around them. n Links with other professionals are good. Staff invite various professionals into the club, such as basketball and football coaches and cheerleaders, to enable children to take part in a variety of physical activities. Additionally, during the summer, staff plan days where children can 'pitch and putt' and play traditional

p.2

need to do better?

2 February 2022 fete games, including 'coconut shies'. n Children work well as a team. They create 'marble runs' together, carefully putting together the pieces to create one large construction for their marbles to roll down. Children enjoy creating different hairstyles together on dolls and use various tools, such as pretend straighteners, brushes, combs and hair bands. They enjoy the company of others. n Opportunities for children to rest and relax after their day at school are good. Children can read a book, play board games or complete jigsaws, either independently or with staff and peers alike. n During the COVID-19 pandemic, the area manager recognises how difficult it has been for children placed within 'bubbles', meaning, at times, children could not be with their immediate friends. However, she has worked closely with staff and the on-site school to ensure children have always remained safe to help reduce

p.2

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The managers and staff have a good understanding of child protection and how to recognise if a child's safety is at risk, including signs of extreme views and behaviours. Staff attend frequent safeguarding training to keep their knowledge up to date. The area manager also carries out additional in-house training to ensure staff are alert to dangers. For example, when children are not present, she sets up the club with potential hazards and staff work together to ensure they have identified all the risks. Staff carry out rigorous checks when collecting children from the school. They complete a register as children arrive and check with teachers about who is attending.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY469619 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 10106078 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 154 Name of registered person Woodground Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01752 661445 Date of previous inspection 3 April 2014

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Explorers Den registered in 2013 and is privately owned. It operates within the grounds of Hyde Park Infant and Junior Schools in Plymouth. The club collects children from the Hyde Park schools only and operates from the school's canteen. It operates Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 9am and from 3pm to 6pm, during term times. During school holidays, the club is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm, excluding bank holidays. There are five members of staff working with the children, three of whom hold a relevant childcare qualification, including the manager who holds early years professional status.

p.4

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 provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector spoke to children about their thoughts and views of the club. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children, and the range of activities available. n The area manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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

2 February 2022 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