The Club

Inspection of The Club St. Nicholas Voluntary Primary School, Church Green, HARPENDEN, Hertfordshire AL5 2TP

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This provision meets requirements

Children thoroughly enjoy attending the club. They are warmly greeted by staff, who provide a safe and nurturing environment where children thrive. Children have the choice of what activities they would like to do and use a suggestion box to put forward new ideas. This helps them to enjoy their time at the club and become engaged in their play.

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This provision meets requirements

Children experience a wide range of interesting activities. Young children enjoy sorting coloured fish using tongs, helping them develop their fine motor skills. Older children mould play dough together to make different shapes. Children eagerly listen to staff as they talk about 'Earth Day'. They gather to watch a video about the natural world and learn how plants and trees help all life on Earth. Children are praised for their achievements. They are nominated for good deeds they have done, such as being kind, and they receive rewards through a raffle. This encourages positive behaviour and helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem.

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This provision meets requirements

Children enjoy a range of healthy foods and have access to fresh fruit for snacks. Mealtimes are a social occasion as children sit and chat to their friends. Staff obtain information about any special dietary requirements, preferences and food allergies and ensure they are adhered to.

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need to do better?

n The club has a positive relationship with the school where they are based. Some staff work within the school, which means that children can be supported by a familiar face. Staff know the children well and develop good relationships with them. This helps children to feel comfortable and safe within the club and continue to grow and flourish. n There is an effective key-person system for young children. Staff liaise with the teachers and share children's next steps. Staff then plan activities to help build on these next steps to meet the needs of the children. They find out what topics children are learning in school and continue these at the club to complement children's development. n The club builds strong partnerships with parents. Communication is clear. Staff keep parents up to date with their children's activities by a communication board and daily feedback. Parents speak very highly of the club. They appreciate the

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need to do better?

efforts staff make to ensure their children feel supported and settled at the club. n Children behave well and are responsive to staff. They are familiar with the routines of the club, which helps them to feel safe and secure. Staff work closely with the teachers and parents to share strategies. Sensory tents and 'space

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need to do better?

18 April 2023 mats' are used to support children to help them self-regulate their behaviour and manage their emotions. n Staff understand the importance of providing quiet areas for children to complete their homework. Children understand when it is time to do this and cooperate well. Staff support younger children to practise their spellings. Older children are supervised to complete their mathematics work on school laptops. n Staff understand the importance of providing opportunities for children to have fresh air and to be physically active. Children run, play football and use the climbing equipment to balance and climb in the playground. Staff understand that children need time to unwind after a day at school and engage in fun games, such as hide and seek and table tennis, with the children. n Leaders support staff well. Staff complete an in-depth induction process when they first start at the club. This is followed up with regular supervisions. This

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need to do better?

helps staff to understand their roles and responsibilities. Staff have access to a wide variety of online training opportunities to build on their professional development. This helps them to promote the interests and understand the needs of children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have clear expectations of staff, who understand their responsibility to safeguard children at the club. They ensure that staff have regular training to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff demonstrate secure understanding of the signs and indicators of potential abuse and/or neglect. They are clear how to report a concern about the welfare of a child. Staff are aware of the wider aspects of safeguarding, such as radicalisation and county lines. All staff have appropriate checks to ensure their suitability to work with children. Regular risk assessments in the setting ensure that hazards are minimised and there is effective deployment of staff to ensure that children are well supervised.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY414666 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10280641 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 32 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Lucie Allen and Rebecca Brown Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 07732301778 Date of previous inspection 29 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Club registered in 2010 and is situated in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. The club employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and two at level 2. The club opens from 3pm until 6pm, Monday to Thursday and 3pm until 5pm on Friday, during the school term only.

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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 managers and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the club. n The inspector undertook a learning walk around the club with the managers and spoke about the learning intentions for the children. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to children and parents during the inspection and took account of their views of the club. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. This included evidence of staff suitability, training records, and staff files.

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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

18 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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Inspection activities

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