Smart Owls Ltd

Inspection of Smart Owls Ltd Queens Crescent School, Windsor Close, CHIPPENHAM, Wiltshire SN14 0QT

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This provision meets requirements

Children say that they love attending the club. They thrive in the care of professional and dedicated staff, who provide a welcoming, safe and nurturing environment. Staff involve children when planning and ensure that activities meet their different interests. These opportunities help children to engage well with their chosen activities. Children have great fun as they use the large apparatus in the garden, plant sunflower seeds and use chalk to create small- and large-scale drawings on the floor. They talk confidently about their creations and favourite games.

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This provision meets requirements

Children are kind and sensitive to each other. Older children include the younger ones in their play. They also help them when using the outdoor apparatus and while doing puzzles. Children's behaviour is particularly good. They share and take turns nicely, listen to each other, and say 'thank you' to the staff for their help.

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This provision meets requirements

Children form strong friendships with their peers. They enjoy each other's company as they play games, eat snack together and play in the home corner. These help them to build on their social and physical skills. Children develop strong bonds with all the staff, which helps them to feel secure. This is a well-organised club.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have considered the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's well-being. They have adapted their daily practices to focus on children's personal, social and emotional development. This has had a positive impact on the children, who show high levels of confidence and self-esteem. n Communication between school staff and the club managers is effective. School staff pass on relevant information about the children's day, such as any accident or incident, children's behaviour, or messages for the parents. This ensures continuity of care for the children. Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. n Staff effectively support children's understanding of being healthy. Children manage their personal hygiene well. They show understanding of the importance of regular handwashing before eating. Children talk about the importance of exercise and a balanced diet for their health. The club provides

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need to do better?

healthy and nutritious food. To ensure children's safety, staff follow clear procedures on children's dietary requirements. n Staff at the club understand the benefits of fresh air and exercise for the children. They encourage them to play outdoors in all weathers. Children thoroughly enjoy their time outdoors. They are independent as they explore the environment and initiate their own play. Children say 'I have a lot of fun playing

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need to do better?

19 May 2022 in the garden with my friends'. n Although children are respectful to each other and staff occasionally plan activities and provide some resources for the children to explore difference and diversity, they do not promote children's awareness of diversity as well as they could. n Parents say that children enjoy their time at the club. They praise the dedicated and friendly team. Parents value the information shared with them at the end of the session. However, managers do not always inform parents about the activities offered. Management gathers information from parents about their children before they join, such as allergies, dietary requirements and support needed. This contributes to children's safety and well-being. n The management team has effective strategies in place to support the staff in the running of the club. Policies and procedures underpin their daily practices. Since the last inspection, staff attended training on behaviour management.

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need to do better?

Managers comment that this training has had a positive impact on staff practice. Leaders, with their staff, analyse their provision often to ensure that the services they offer remain of a high standard.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding lead and staff are confident to identify risks that would pose a threat to children's well-being. They are clear about the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare. They understand how to escalate concerns to ensure prompt and appropriate action is taken to keep children safe. There are rigorous recruitment procedures in place. This helps to ensures staff are suitable to care for children. Effective arrangements are in place to ensure the premises are safe and secure for children to play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY450226 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10126120 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 150 Name of registered person Smart Owls Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07707 473792 Date of previous inspection 19 July 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Smart Owls Ltd registered in 2012. It operates from Queen's Crescent Primary School in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Smart Owls is open each weekday from 7.45am to 8.45am and from 3pm to 6pm, during school term times. The club employs seven staff, of whom six hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 2 or above.

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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 of the club and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector undertook a learning walk around the club with the managers and talked about the resources and activities provided. n The inspector observed children's interactions with staff and monitored their engagement in a range of play activities. n The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of staff and looked at range of documentation, such as safeguarding arrangements, first-aid certificates, registers and Disclosure and Barring Service clearances. n The inspector spoke to parents, staff and children at appropriate times and considered their views. n The inspector met with leaders to discuss how they evaluate their provision. n The inspector talked to school staff during the handover period.

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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

19 May 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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