Headstart Day Care Ltd

Inspection of Headstart Day Care Ltd Head Start Play Group, Afton Drive, South Ockendon, Essex RM15 5PA

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This provision meets requirements

Children are very happy and settled in this club. They can choose from a wide range of activities, that are suited to their age group. Younger children role-play cooking together, while older children take turns playing with the keyboard. This helps them build on their social and creative skills. Children form strong friendships and enjoy each other's company. They delight as they play their favourite game of table football in teams. Others enjoy doing art and craft activities together. They take pleasure in taking their finished work home.

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This provision meets requirements

Children are nurtured and well cared for by the dedicated staff team. Staff act as good role models and have high expectations for children's conduct and behaviour. As a result, children are well behaved, kind and sensitive towards each other. When planning activities, staff include children to make sure they have something they like to do. For example, children return to making pom-poms they have been working on in a previous session. Children are given the choice of what fruit they wish to eat. The chef asks what would they like and responds positively to their suggestions.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan exciting science experiments, that engage children as they learn about volcanoes and chemical reactions. They embed the children's understanding by asking them relevant questions that extend their learning. For example, staff ask the children what they think will happen as they mix two chemicals together. n Children have the opportunity to be physically active in the large outdoor area. They play with hula hoops and balls and run around with excitement. Children also enjoy trips to the local park. Staff help children to learn how to keep themselves safe as they walk in twos and safely cross the road to the park. Staff remind children to be careful on the stairs when playing inside. n Staff manage children's behaviour appropriately. They support children to develop strategies for sharing. Staff give children lots of praise and encouragement for their achievements. This helps raise the children's self-

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need to do better?

esteem and confidence. As a result, children play happily together and behave well. n Staff recognise the impact that COVID-19 has had on the children. They recognise that some children find it difficult to settle when they are dropped off at the club. Staff swiftly introduced a 'buddy system' to support the children through this transition. As a result, children feel reassured by their 'buddy' and settle comfortably. n Staff make good provision to ensure the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are met and they are given the

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need to do better?

4 April 2022 same opportunities as other children. Staff work closely with schools and parents. This ensures the children's needs are clearly communicated, so that they receive the appropriate support. Staff show dedication to developing effective communication strategies and monitoring of SEND children. For example, they have developed 'communication passports', which are used to record the children's likes and dislikes. n The manager and staff work cohesively together to ensure the smooth running of the club. Ideas are shared in regular staff meetings, along with policies and procedures. Staff fully understand their roles and responsibilities. The manager has a good oversight of her staff team and their well-being is important. Staff receive regular supervision meetings, where they are given valuable feedback about their practice. They discuss training needs and any concerns they may have. This allows any emerging issues to be addressed and quickly managed.

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need to do better?

Staff comment how they feel valued and well supported by the manager. n Parents speak highly of the club. They appreciate the flexible hours available and good range of activities, in particular trips out bowling. They say their children look forward to attending every holiday and they always return home with lots of different arts and crafts. Staff are attentive which makes their children feel happy, content and safe.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a suitable awareness of the signs and symptoms of potential abuse and neglect, including the risk arising from exposure to extreme behaviours or views. They are clear about when, and how, to report their concerns to the relevant professionals. The management team are supportive of staff learning needs and adapt learning methods to ensure staff fully understand their responsibilities to safeguard children. They have robust recruitment procedures to ensure staff suitability. Regular risk assessments allow staff to ensure children are safe as they take trips to the park and move between school and the club at collection times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY473892 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10124405 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 30 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person Headstart Daycare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01708856948 Date of previous inspection 15 May 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Headstart Day Care Ltd was registered in 2014. It is situated in the same premises as Headstart Nursery in South Ockendon, Essex. The out-of-school club opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 8.45am and from 3pm until 7pm during school term times. The holiday club operates from 7.30am to 7pm. The club employs four members of childcare staff, including the manager. The manager holds a level 3 early years qualification. One staff member holds an early years qualification at level 3, and two are unqualified.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the club. n The inspector undertook a learning walk around the club with the manager. She held regular discussions with the manager and the staff. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection and took account of parents' written views of the club. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. This included evidence of staff suitability, attendance records, risk assessments and policies and procedures.

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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

4 April 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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