Three Acres Community Play Project

Inspection of Three Acres Community Play Project 29-31 Parkhill Road, London NW3 2YH

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This provision meets requirements

Children thoroughly enjoy spending time at this setting. They excitedly join their friends for a snack and a chat when they arrive, talking about what they have been doing at school. Routines are well established and understood by all children. For example, children know they must wash their hands before eating, where to put their belongings and when they can go outside. Children's behaviour is very good. They follow the rules and listen carefully to instructions from adults. Children know how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, when using the large climbing equipment outside, they take turns to ensure that no one gets hurt.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff focus on children's personal, social and emotional development. Children play together in mixed-age groups. This encourages the older children to look after the younger ones. They support them when playing outside, showing real care and consideration. Staff design activities to meet all children's needs at the end of a full day at school. Children can use their energy in the outside space, be creative at the art tables or sit and read a book on the comfy settees in the quiet area. These varied activities positively support children's emotional well-being.

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need to do better?

n Managers understand the importance of providing quality care for children and their families. They regularly evaluate the setting, reflecting on the feedback which they receive from staff, parents and children. Staff are experienced, with many of them also working at local schools. This gives them a very good understanding of the local community, informing their work at the setting. n Managers regularly monitor the quality of care that staff provide. They provide helpful feedback and organise training to improve staff's practice. Staff have regular safeguarding and health and safety training to ensure that their knowledge and skills are up to date. Checking staff understanding in these key areas more regularly would further strengthen practice. n Staff know children very well. They form strong, nurturing relationships with them. This helps children to feel safe and secure in their care. New children are

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need to do better?

supported by the settling-in process, which is flexible and takes account of children's emotional needs. n Managers build good relationships with other agencies involved in children's care. They make sure that they are always updated with any changes to children's circumstances. This helps staff to provide more targeted support when required. n Staff place a strong emphasis on children's physical development. The outside space has a wide range of large climbing equipment and a football pitch. Children enjoy climbing rope ladders, swinging from bars and pushing

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need to do better?

30 November 2022 themselves down the slide. They play football with their friends, developing their ball skills while learning how to play together as a team. n Children enjoy the wide range of creative activities which staff plan for them. They concentrate well when drawing and making models to sell at the upcoming Christmas fair. Staff support children's creativity by giving them useful advice and demonstrating different techniques, which children then apply to their own work. n Staff's relationships with teachers at local schools are strong. They communicate regularly with them when picking up children, sharing relevant information and passing on messages to parents for them. Staff ask for advice on how best to support specific children's needs. This helps to provide continuity of care across the settings and benefits children's overall development. n Parents share very positive views about the setting, praising the care and

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need to do better?

attention which their children receive. They feel that they are well informed about what their children have been doing and know that any issues will be dealt with appropriately. n Children talk about how much they enjoy the setting. They highlight playing outside in the garden with their friends as one of their favourite activities. Children also enjoy observing and looking after the setting's pets. All children are confident and independent. They are able to manage their own time, making best use of the rich learning experiences on offer.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff know and understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. They complete training to help them to recognise the signs that a child may be at risk and understand the actions they should take if they have any concerns. Staff have an awareness of a range of safeguarding issues, including how children and their families may become exposed to extreme or radical views. All staff are subject to appropriate checks to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. They complete daily risk assessments to make sure that the premises and resources are always safe for children to use.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 116352 Local authority Camden Inspection number 10234091 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 120 Number of children on roll 102 Name of registered person Three Acres Community Play Project

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reference number

Telephone number 020 7722 3812 Date of previous inspection 15 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Three Acres Community Play Project registered in 1992. It is situated in the London Borough of Camden. It is an out-of-school provision, offering care before and after school during term time and the school holidays. It is open 3.30pm to 6pm term time and 8am to 6pm during the school holidays. The provider employs nine staff, seven of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications.

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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 manager and the inspector carried out a learning walk together. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of staff's interactions and the play opportunities which they provide for children. n At convenient times during the inspection, the inspector spoke to the manager, staff, children and parents and considered their views. n A range of documentation was sampled by the inspector, including information on the suitability of staff, first-aid certificates and safeguarding 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

30 November 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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