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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Not met (with actions)

Previous inspection Not Met (with actions)

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This provision does not meet requirements

Management has failed to ensure the suitability of all committee members who are involved in making key decisions relating to the children's welfare and safety. Nevertheless, children happily arrive at the club and are greeted by welcoming staff. They are familiar with the club's routines, such as knowing where to place their personal belongings when they arrive at the school hall. Children have opportunities to select from a range of age-appropriate resources and activities. They immediately socialise with their friends, quickly settle, and demonstrate that they feel safe. Children learn to practise and refine their physical skills during ball games in the playground. They use the chalks to make marks and are shown how to draw different shapes, such as love hearts.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Children work together to solve problems. For example, children work out what pieces of track will enable their toy trains to cross the bridge. Younger children enjoy playing with the baby dolls. They dress the dolls and wrap them in blankets. Children explain that they do this to keep the dolls warm. Children's ongoing literacy development is also encouraged by the staff, who read stories to them.

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need to do better?

n Management has failed to ensure that suitability checks are completed for a committee member. Despite several reminders, they have not ensured that required information is sent to Ofsted in a timely manner, to enable them to complete their checks. n Since the last inspection, steps have been taken to increase staff knowledge of child protection procedures. This supports staff to safeguard children in their care. Additionally, changes have been made to the arrangements at the start of the session, and the snack procedures have improved. n Children enjoy freshly prepared snacks during their time at the club. They sit together and demonstrate good table manners. Staff obtain information from parents about any special dietary requirements, preferences and food allergies before their child attends the club. The provider ensures that all staff are clear about procedures to follow to ensure that children eat the correct food, so that

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need to do better?

they are kept safe, following a recent incident. n Staff develop appropriate relationships with the children, are responsive to their needs and join in the children's play. Young children have a designated key person and staff develop sound relationships with teachers at the school. This helps to ensure children's care and further learning opportunities are tailored to each child's individual needs. n Children learn the rules and boundaries of the club. Children behave appropriately and are respectful of other adults and each other. Children share

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need to do better?

19 October 2022 resources, listen, and follow instructions. For example, children know that they need to line up sensibly before moving into the dining room for their snack, and that they need to wash their hands in readiness for their snack. n Children demonstrate pride in their achievements as they use their imagination and share their ideas. They use construction resources to build tall towers, make 'fairy gardens' and enjoy playing with the toy dinosaurs. Younger children use their developing language to describe how they have created a nest for the dinosaur eggs to hatch. n Parents comment positively about the club. When asked, children are confident to talk about what they are doing at the club. Some children say they like to play with the baby dolls and others say that they like to go outside in the playground to run and play.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Management does not demonstrate a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children. They have failed to ensure that suitability checks are completed for all committee members who are involved in decision- making and have access to confidential information. Management and staff recognise different types of abuse and know how to report any concerns they may have about a child in their care. This includes what action to take if an allegation is made against a member of staff. Daily risk assessment checks are completed to ensure the premises and resources used by the children are safe. Staff are deployed effectively to ensure the children's safety and well-being.

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Due date

provide required information to Ofsted in a timely manner to ensure suitability checks for committee members are completed. 18/11/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2567156 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10259062 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 30 November 2021

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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, two 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 8.30am until 5.30pm.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the nominated individual of the committee and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment process, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision with the nominated individual of the committee. They discussed how children are kept safe and the organisation of the club. n The inspector spoke to the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the club. She spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation during the inspection. n Parents shared their views about the club 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

19 October 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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