Wise Owls Holiday Club

Inspection of Wise Owls Holiday Club Highfield School, West Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1PD

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This provision meets requirements

Staff warmly greet children as they arrive and the children are happy to see them. Leaders ensure that information provided by parents and children is used by staff to plan an exciting range of activities, based on children's interests. As a result, children are thoroughly engaged throughout their day. They look forward to their time at the holiday club. They arrive eager to investigate the activities and resources with their friends.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff support children's independence and encourage new friendships. They ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are included. Children have ample opportunities to be physically active. They climb on obstacle courses, play ball games and enjoy a range of trips and outings, closely supervised by staff. Children are happy to try new things. They show good levels of concentration and remain engaged in activities for significant periods. For example, they work together to create their own 'Harry Potter' storybooks, and decorate doors made of cardboard to imitate 'trick or treating' in the safety of the club environment.

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This provision meets requirements

Leaders share high expectations for children's behaviour. Staff praise children for being polite and kind to each other. They encourage children to help with tasks, such as tidying away before mealtimes. Children are confident and demonstrate good social skills. They are happy and feel safe and secure at the holiday club.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide a wide range of activities for children, both indoors and outdoors. Children are free to choose their own activities or add to those that staff have planned for them. Staff listen to what children would like to do and adapt their ideas into learning experiences. This helps children feel valued and promotes fundamental British values, such as respecting other's views and opinions. n Staff support children's good behaviour. They consistently encourage children to take turns and share resources. Children demonstrate kindness and compassion for one another. For example, children read to each other when they are resting and help comfort and settle new children. They are keen to show newer children how things work and offer encouragement to their friends, if they hurt themselves, for being brave. n Children thoroughly enjoy the physical aspects of the camp. They explore the large adventure playground under the close supervision of staff. Staff are

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need to do better?

carefully deployed to ensure children's safety and promote their enjoyment and sustained engagement in activities. For example, children put on performances for staff and make potions from oats and autumn leaves in the playground. This

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need to do better?

26 October 2023 helps build their imagination, confidence and self-esteem. n Staff consistently promote children's well-being. They ensure that quiet areas are provided, so children can engage in craft activities, read books and talk about how to keep themselves healthy and safe. Staff regularly remind children how to safely use the school site. Children learn to respect the environment and understand the rules and boundaries. For instance, staff remind children which pieces of equipment are out of bounds and what they must do if they hear the fire alarm sound at the start of each session. n There are effective systems in place to ensure that children can express their wishes and feelings. Staff actively encourage children to put forward their ideas, including what they would like to do during their time at the setting. They seek regular feedback and evaluation from children. Children talk enthusiastically

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need to do better?

about their experiences at holiday club. They enjoy seeing their friends and say the staff are 'great'. Children can see their ideas implemented or included in the future planning documents. n Children enjoy spending time with the staff, who get to know them well in a very short time. Staff develop a good understanding of each child's unique needs. Those children needing extra support receive tailored interventions to help ensure their inclusion. Staff share information regarding details of children's behaviour, health, dietary and care plans. This supports staff to consistently meet children's needs. n The leadership team provides strong support to the staff team. Training and professional development opportunities are available to those staff who want to develop further. Staff report that the holiday club is a very rewarding workplace and that they feel valued. They are given the information and support required

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need to do better?

to ensure that they feel confident and capable of fulfilling their roles and responsibilities. n In general, the provider maintains up-to-date records and information to share with partner agencies. The provider is improving their knowledge of notifications to be made to Ofsted. This ensures the safe and effective management of the setting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff safeguarding knowledge is secure. They can recognise a range of signs and indicators of abuse. Those staff with designated responsibilities for safeguarding are clear about the steps to take to record and refer any concerns that a child may be at risk of harm. Staff make effective use of risk assessments to ensure the premises, resources and activities are suitable for the ages of children that attend. There are systems in place to check the suitability of staff during the recruitment process and these checks are updated regularly.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY291729 Local authority Windsor and Maidenhead Inspection number 10305269 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 60 Number of children on roll 85 Name of registered person Wise Owls Club Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07724641090 Date of previous inspection 16 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Wise Owls Holiday Club registered in July 2004 and is located in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The club operates on the site of Highfield Preparatory School. The provider employs nine members of staff. Of these, four hold appropriate qualifications at level 2 and above. The club is open during the school holidays from 8.30am until 5.30pm.

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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 holiday club. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the holiday club. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working at the holiday club. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children. n The inspector spoke with leaders about the leadership and management of the holiday club.

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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

26 October 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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