W.A.S.P.S. (Wheathampstead Afterschool Playscheme) After School Club

Inspection of W.A.S.P.S. (Wheathampstead Afterschool Playscheme) After School Club Beech Hyde Primary & Nursery School, Nurseries Road, Wheathampstead, St. Albans, Hertfordshire AL4 8TP

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Met

Previous inspection Not Met (with actions)

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This provision meets requirements

Children enjoy the time they spend in the after-school and holiday club. They embrace the activities planned by the caring and friendly staff and create their own games with their friends using the wide range of resources available. For example, children create a savings bank out of hollow wooden blocks. They collect leaves to use as currency, which they use to pay for rides in a large cart.

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This provision meets requirements

Older children are very supportive towards their younger club members, acting as positive role models by demonstrating traits, such as kindness. Children's good behaviour contributes to the relaxed atmosphere. Any minor disputes are quickly resolved by the children themselves, or through gentle reminders from staff. This helps younger children develop the skills they need to regulate their emotions. Children vote for the film they would like to watch as a group, helping to strengthen their experiences of democracy.

p.2

This provision meets requirements

Young children welcome adults to join their games. Staff encourage children to explore new ideas by expanding their games further. For example, after they have made a very long chain from large links, staff help children to compare their height with their friends by measuring themselves against the chain. More children quickly gather to join in the experiment.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the management committee and manager have worked hard to make significant improvements. For example, committee members now have a far greater understanding of their roles as employers and leaders. They have a clear understanding of the statutory requirements that leaders and staff must follow, helping to hold the manager and staff to account. This helps to strengthen the quality of the provision. n The manager and staff have established good links between the club and the schools that children attend. The manager gathers information from teachers to help identify what children in the early years already know and understand. Staff use this information to help support children's progress while they play. n Staff interact very well with children. They skillfully judge when to join in children's play and explorations and when to let them negotiate, explore and develop their own thoughts and ideas on their own and with friends. This

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need to do better?

contributes to the harmonious atmosphere and positive relationships children have with their friends and staff in the club. n The manager holds regular team meetings and discussions with staff. This helps her identify when staff need to refresh and expand the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for their roles. Staff are motivated to

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need to do better?

School Club 26 July 2023 continually develop their professional curiosity by completing online courses. Members of staff who also work in schools share new information they gain in their additional roles with the team, helping to strengthen knowledge even more. n Children feel they are valued in the club. Staff thank children when they volunteer to wash the cups after snack time. Children are keen to help to give out lunch boxes and to tidy away toys when necessary. Children say they enjoy attending the holiday scheme and after-school club. They report that they like to choose what they do. Children say they love to run and play in the garden. n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. They work closely with parents to help ensure appropriate care and communication are consistently provided, helping children feel secure in the club. When parents arrive to drop off or collect their children, staff talk to them

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need to do better?

about what children have been doing, levels of tiredness or any other important information that needs to be shared. n Children enjoy the themes and activities staff plan for them. For example, they concentrate while they learn to make different stitches during a sewing activity. Other children make their own patterns and designs while they make mosaic tiles using small squares. Younger children continue this idea while they create repeating patterns on a peg board. This contributes to the high levels of engagement that are evident throughout the day.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and her staff have a clear understanding of their roles to safeguard children. Staff know how to identify, record and report any concerns they may have about children's welfare. Those with lead responsibility for safeguarding maintain close relationships with designated safeguarding leads in the schools that club members attend. This helps to ensure key information needed to keep children safe from harm is appropriately shared when necessary. As a result, children's well- being is effectively supported.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 123642 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10258346 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 36 Number of children on roll 67

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Name of registered person

W.A.S.P.S. (Wheathampstead Afterschool Play Scheme)

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reference number

Telephone number 01582 834190 Date of previous inspection 14 September 2022

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Information about this early years setting

W.A.S.P.S. (Wheathampstead Afterschool Playscheme) After School Club registered in 2000. The club employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The club is open from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 7.30am to 8.45am each day, and from 3.15pm to 6pm Monday to Thursday. Sessions are from 3.15pm until 5.45pm on Fridays. A holiday club operates during some school holidays. Sessions are from 8.30am until 5.30pm. The club operates from the Beech Hyde Primary school and Nursery site.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken this into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and manager completed a learning walk of the playroom and garden. The manager described how the play environment is organised. n The inspector observed activities in the playroom and garden. She spoke to children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n Two members of the management committee visited the setting and explained their roles and responsibilities to the inspector. n The inspector looked at the evidence of the suitability of staff and committee members. She viewed other documents, including medication forms and certificates for staff qualifications. n The inspector spoke to a small number of parents. She took their views into consideration.

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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

School Club 26 July 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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