Funzone Out Of School Club

Inspection of Funzone Out Of School Club Letchworth Garden City Community Project, Mrs Howard Memorial Hall, Norton Way South, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 1NX

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This provision meets requirements

Children thoroughly enjoy the range of activities on offer at this very popular and inclusive club. Staff collect children from their schools and see them safely inside. Children wash their hands and help themselves to a healthy snack. They soon settle into the club routine and enjoy playing alongside their friends. Staff are friendly and supportive, and children develop close bonds with them. The manager and staff are excellent role models and promote children's good behaviour. Children demonstrate that they feel comfortable and safe. They know they can talk to staff if they are feeling sad or worried. Younger children have a key person, who works closely with the child's school and parents. This helps to ensure that they share information effectively. Staff know the children very well, which supports their well-being while they are at the club.

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This provision meets requirements

Children delight in taking part in group activities designed to promote good behaviour, build friendships and develop their social skills. For example, children play cooperatively together when constructing models and playing games of pool. They patiently wait their turn as staff explain the rules of the game to them. Staff encourage children to make choices about what they want to do. Children concentrate well as they make collages of robots using differently textured paper. Staff have a flexible and responsive approach to children's play ideas. They give children lots of praise, which helps to build their confidence and self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n The experienced providers and manager continually strive to provide high- quality provision for children before and after school. Staff work extremely well together and the manager makes good use of their different skills, qualifications and experience. For example, children learn about nature and the world they live in as they take part in activities led by a specialist member of staff. They enjoy scavenger hunts and collecting natural items for craft activities such as leaf rubbings. n Staff value children's contributions. They listen to children's ideas and suggestions of resources they would like at the club. Children are confident communicators and all opportunities for conversation are encouraged. This includes talking to visitors and during mealtimes, which are social and enjoyable events for children. Children are very happy to attend the club and chat to each other and staff as they relax after their school day. Staff create bright and

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need to do better?

interactive displays around the rooms, including posters about 'how to keep safe online' and 'say no to bullying'. This helps to generate important conversations between the children. n Children enjoy participating in a wide range of activities. They eagerly gather

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need to do better?

27 April 2023 around the craft table and make delightful 'fairy cards' using coloured glitter. Children involve staff in all their activities. They become engrossed in manipulating the play dough and handle tools well. Children thoroughly enjoy other creative activities, such as model making, drawing and colouring. They spend time planning what they will make and work together to carry out their plans. Children concentrate on their chosen tasks very well and show pride in their achievements. n Children have opportunities to be active, indoors and outdoors. They develop their physical skills well as they use the equipment at the park or play football. Staff support children's understanding of good hygiene routines, including oral health. They plan a 'healthy eating week', and children make a collage of healthy plates of food. Children enjoy a choice of healthy snacks and meals each day. n Partnerships with parents are very good and their feedback is extremely

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need to do better?

complimentary. Parents say their children are very happy and enjoy the activities on offer. They comment that staff are friendly and approachable. At collection time, staff inform parents about what their children have been doing at the club. They pass on any messages from children's schools. n The club is managed very well. The enthusiastic staff team are committed to providing children with a happy and enjoyable time at the club. Staff work together extremely well as a team and the manager provides strong support for them. She carries out regular supervision sessions and staff meetings. The manager ensures that all mandatory training is up to date and additional training is focused to meet the needs of the children. Staff say that they feel very well supported and enjoy their time working at the club. n The manager gathers the views of children and parents to help bring about improvements to the provision. She encourages children to complete their own

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need to do better?

evaluation forms, where they are able to share their ideas and suggestions. The manager regularly seeks the views of parents and incorporates their ideas into practice where possible. Children and parents speak very fondly of the club.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a very good understanding of their roles and responsibilities in protecting children from harm. They complete regular training, which helps to keep their knowledge relevant and up to date. The manager and staff confidently describe the procedures to follow if they have concerns about the children in their care. Robust recruitment and induction procedures help to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff implement safe procedures, such as for the arrival and departure of children. Daily risk assessments are completed to ensure that all areas are safe and suitable for children to use. The manager closely monitors who enters the club, which prevents any unauthorised people gaining access. Staff deploy themselves well so that children remain safe at all times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY344365 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10280105 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 94 Number of children on roll 118 Name of registered person Funzone Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 07870 168308 Date of previous inspection 26 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Funzone Out of School Club registered in 2006. The club employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one of the providers, who holds a degree in childcare. The club opens Monday to Friday, during school term times. Sessions are from 7.45am to 9am and from 3pm to 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the club has received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The manager showed the inspector around the rooms used by the club, and described how the environment is organised. n The inspector spoke to staff and children about the provision offered and took their views into account. n Parents shared their views of the provision with the inspector, both with their written feedback and with the discussions they held during the inspection. n The inspector observed the activities children are offered at the club. n The manager showed the inspector relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff to work with children.

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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

27 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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