Club Excel at Birchwood School

Inspection of Club Excel at Birchwood School Birchwood High School, Parsonage Lane, Bishop's Stortford CM23 5BD

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This provision meets requirements

Children settle quickly and build secure attachments with staff. They make friends and demonstrate positive attitudes. They say please and thank you and are respectful of each other. Children are encouraged to care for the toys and resources. They tidy away after themselves and freely choose what they would like to play with next. Children engage quickly in the activities on offer. They have access to a range of resources. Children play with the dinosaurs, naming the different types. They sit quietly at circle time, where they introduce themselves and read a story.

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This provision meets requirements

Children play outside in the fresh air, where they take part in lots of physical play. They play football and cheer on their friends when they score a goal. Children excitedly explore the garden, riding on the cars and playing hide and seek. Children choose and listen to interactive music and watch for the flashing lights on cones. When the cones flash, they sprint and tap it, trying to gain the most points. Staff talk to children about the daily routine and the expectations within the club. Children get excited and discuss what they need to do when they go and play on the giant inflatable.

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need to do better?

n Children enjoy lots of stimulating activities that challenge them and promote teamwork. For example, children work together to collect tennis balls. They work collaboratively, and as a team, to achieve their desired goal. Children celebrate and congratulate the winning team. n Children are very happy and show they feel safe during their time at the club. They enjoy a range of interesting activities, such as play dough, construction, and arts and crafts. Children engage with each other, communicating and responding appropriately during play. n Staff and children consistently follow good hygiene practices. For example, they wash their hands when coming in from outside, after using the toilet and before and after eating. n Staff sensitively support children's emotional development and encourage them to talk about how they feel and work through solutions together. They use their experience and skills to sensitively encourage children to talk and respond to

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need to do better?

them. Staff are supportive and meet children's needs, which contributes to their sense of security and their well-being. n Staff are caring and kind. They manage children's behaviour well. Staff communicate with children respectfully and sensitively. They give children responsibilities and make them feel valued. n Highly skilled staff identify children that may need additional support. They

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need to do better?

4 April 2023 sensitively discuss individual children's needs with parents and quickly implement strategies to support them. The club is fully inclusive and makes every effort to adapt activities and the environment to meet individual children's needs. n Children have opportunities to be creative and express themselves. For example, children perform a talent show at the end of each day. They are given time to practise throughout the day and select their preferred talent. n The leadership team collates detailed information on all the children that attend the club in order to meet their individual needs. They meticulously plan fun, age- appropriate activities for the children that attend. These are communicated to the staff along with specific information regarding children's health and medical needs. n Leaders follow a robust recruitment and induction process to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Continuous monitoring by leaders ensures

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need to do better?

they understand their role and responsibilities. n Leaders evaluate their practice to promote continuous improvement. They reflect on the provision they offer to ensure it meets the needs of the children. Staff discuss the club and activities on offer with children and take account of their views. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents state how happy they are with the club and staff. They state that staff must really enjoy what they are doing as they are always happy and enthusiastic. Parents comment favourably about the activities on offer. They state that their children particularly like the inflatables and tuck shop.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a strong understanding of their responsibilities to safeguard children. They complete regular training to ensure that their knowledge is up to date. Staff are able to recognise the possible signs of abuse and neglect. They are aware of wider safeguarding issues, such as the risk of exposure to extreme views and behaviour. The club has policies in place to follow should they need to raise concerns regarding children's welfare to other agencies. Leaders have a central record of suitability. Leaders carry out regular risk assessments in order to minimise risks to children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2628133 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10281121 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 130 Number of children on roll 130 Name of registered person Club Excel Leisure Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01923 469475 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Club Excel at Birchwood School registered in 2021. This is one of seven activity clubs for school holidays run by the provider. The club operates during the Easter and summer school holidays, and sessions are from 8.30am to 5.30pm. It employs 15 staff, including one qualified teacher and seven staff who are qualified to level 2 or above.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the club received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders, and this has been taken into account in their evaluation of the club. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk of the club, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector observed staff and children across the age groups both inside and outside. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing at the club. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection.

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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 2023 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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