The Den Multi-Active Biggleswade

Inspection of The Den Multi-Active Biggleswade Holmemead Middle School, Mead End, Biggleswade SG18 8JU

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This provision does not meet requirements

Overall, children enjoy their time at the club. However, arrangements, particularly at the beginning of the club session, do not consistently meet the needs of the children. Staff are not always deployed effectively to ensure the children are appropriately supervised. For example, children sit at the tables waiting for their snack for a prolonged period of time. During this time, staff have their backs to the children. They are occupied preparing snack and, at times, struggle to manage some children's behaviours. Children begin to spin their plates on the table and some children place them on their heads. Noise levels rise and some children leave the table. Additionally, on arrival, younger children have limited access to a range of resources and activities. A breach of requirements in relation to child protection also undermines children safety and well-being.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Nevertheless, children are appropriately welcomed by the staff and demonstrate that they feel safe and settled. During the second half of the session, children have better opportunities to independently choose from a wider range of resources and activities. Children extend their developing skills as they knead, prod and use tools to cut the dough. They enjoy a range of craft activities, such as painting and sticking. Children learn to take their turn and to follow instructions during board games. They use their imaginations as they build the train track and prepare food for their friends at the pretend cooker.

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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, which staff struggle to manage. n Supervision procedures, including opportunities for the staff to complete training are in place. However, this is not having a positive enough impact on the overall quality of the provision and to ensure staff fully understand their roles and responsibilities. n Suitable procedures are in place to ensure the children's safety on collection from other provisions. However, a recent incident occurred where a young child, during a collection from another provision, managed to leave unnoticed from the care of the staff at the club. Management has now taken appropriate steps to ensure this does not happen again. The handover of children now takes place

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need to do better?

within the building, regular head counts occur, and children are recorded on a register of attendance. Children also wear fluorescent jackets when they walk to the club. Additionally, staff training has taken place to reinforce the importance of remaining vigilant and supervising the children at all times.

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need to do better?

23 February 2022 n The room used by the younger children is bright and welcoming; evidence of the children's artwork, and information relating to the key-person groups is displayed. Children are provided with resources and activities that are suitable for their age and stage of development. However, opportunities for the children to access a range of activities and resources when they arrive at the session are limited. n Staff obtain relevant information regarding any special dietary requirements, preferences and food allergies, and ensure they adhere to this information accordingly. Children enjoy appropriate healthy, balanced and nutritious snacks. They follow appropriate hygiene routines. Children independently wash and dry their hands, which minimises the risk of infection. n Children have opportunities to play outside in the fresh air. Older children enjoy games, such as football and dodgeball. They practise and refine their physical

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need to do better?

skills, learn to follow rules and to play cooperatively alongside their friends.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Management has not ensured that stuff understand and can implement their safeguarding policies and procedures. This is despite them having completed safeguarding children training. For example, staff do not know where they should report a child protection concern. Management ensures appropriate recruitment and induction procedures are in place. All staff are subject to appropriate checks to ensure they are suitable to work with children. Staff complete daily risk assessments to ensure the premises and equipment used by the children are safe.

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Due date

ensure arrangements, particularly at the start of the session, meet the individual needs of the children attending 25/03/2022

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Due date

ensure all staff can confidently implement safeguarding procedures in order to safeguard children 25/03/2022

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Due date

ensure staff receive effective support, coaching and training opportunities to improve their practice 25/03/2022

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Due date

23 February 2022 ensure that strategies to manage children's behaviour are consistently used to help all children to resolve conflict for themselves, including supporting children to manage their own behaviours. 25/03/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY549143 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10226391 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 50 Number of children on roll 100 Name of registered person Multi-Active Holiday Courses Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07561416208 Date of previous inspection 17 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Den Multi-Active Biggleswade registered in 2017. The setting employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, two members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The setting opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 8.45am and from 3.15pm until 6pm during term time, and from 7.30am 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 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector took a tour of the club with the provider and the manager. They talked about how the club is organised and discussed the play opportunities they provide for the children. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions during indoor activities between the staff and the children. n The provider, area manager, manager, staff and the children engaged in discussions with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n A sample of the the provisions documents was reviewed by the inspector. This included evidence of staff suitability and training. n Parents shared their views about the provision with the inspector.

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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

23 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.

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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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