Highfield After School Club

Inspection of Highfield Church Centre Highfield Church Centre, Highfield Lane, SOUTHAMPTON SO17 1RL

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This provision meets requirements

Children arrive at the setting with confidence and enthusiasm. They are greeted by the welcoming and friendly staff, which helps children to feel safe and secure. Children form positive relationships with staff and each other. Staff gently encourage them to follow rules and procedures on arrival. Children chat excitedly to one another as they queue during the snack routine. Staff support children's health and well-being. Children choose from a range of healthy snacks, such as fruit, cheese and bread. Additionally, staff provide opportunities for children to try foods from different cultures.

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This provision meets requirements

Children are confident communicators. Staff engage children in conversation and introduce new words. Children enjoy sharing their ideas for play. They talk positively about what they like doing at the after-school club. Staff help children understand and have respect for different faiths and beliefs. For instance, children enjoy Christmas crafts and making dreidels for Hanukkah.

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This provision meets requirements

Children participate in activities together. They demonstrate a good understanding of turn-taking. Staff encourage children of all ages to play together and work as a team. For instance, older and younger children enthusiastically form a conga line and dance and sing along to Christmas songs. This helps children to feel valued and included.

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need to do better?

n Leaders regularly evaluate the provision. They work closely with the local authority. For instance, leaders have recently worked together with the church centre to place a bid to improve the outdoor space. A new fence would further ensure that children are safe and secure. n Staff have opportunities to attend regular training. Leaders hold regular debriefs for staff to reflect on ways of improving their continuous professional development. Staff comment that leaders support them well. n Relationships with parents are good. Parents speak highly of the warm and friendly staff. They comment that staff 'exhibit great care towards children'. Staff keep parents well informed of children's experiences at the club. n Overall, children behave well. They demonstrate that they enjoy their time at the club. Staff encourage older children to support younger children. This helps older children to feel valued and younger children to feel safe and secure. Children

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need to do better?

learn to share and take turns. However, at times, older children's enthusiasm can result in play that is boisterous and loud. This means that staff have to raise their voices to be heard. n Staff know children well. They tailor experiences for children based on their

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need to do better?

14 December 2023 interests. They seek children's ideas for play. This helps all children to be motivated and focused. Staff thoughtfully plan activities to incorporate seasonal topics, such as 'pin the nose on the reindeer'. This helps to ensure that experiences for children are fun and enjoyable. n Children have plenty of access to fresh air and exercise. Staff closely monitor children's play at all times. Children enjoy activities such as football and tag. Staff gently remind children to follow rules to help keep them safe outdoors. n Staff support all children to look after their own needs. They encourage children to wash their hands before mealtimes and put away their belongings on arrival. Children confidently choose foods to eat for snack. This helps to support their skills in independence. n Children have access to a language-rich environment. Staff support children's communication and language development well. They initiate conversation with

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need to do better?

children. Children chat happily to staff and each other during activities. Staff encourage children to take turns. They support children to recognise the importance of listening to one another. This helps to build the confidence of younger children as they settle in.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have a robust recruitment and vetting system in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff know the signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow if they are concerned for a child's safety. They have access to the essential contact information to report concerns. They carry out regular risk assessments, so that the premises are safe and secure. Staff maintain a safe, clean and secure environment. They are well deployed to meet the needs of the children, which contributes to keeping children safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2728154 Local authority Southampton Inspection number 10326465 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 300 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Highfield After School Club Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 023 80558234 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Highfield Church Centre registered in 2011. It operates from a church hall centre in the Portswood area of Southampton. The club is open each weekday from 3.15pm to 6pm during school term times. There are 14 staff employed, two of whom hold level 3 qualifications.

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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 the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The provider gave the inspector a tour of the club and explained what activities are on offer for children. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector made observations throughout the inspection of children's experiences in the club. n The views of children and parents spoken to on the day were considered in their evaluation of the provision. n The inspector looked at a sample of documents. This included evidence about staff suitability and training.

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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

14 December 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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