Fun Fest Dunstable

Inspection of Fun Fest Dunstable The Vale Academy, Wilbury Drive, Dunstable LU5 4QP

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This provision meets requirements

Children have fun and enjoy themselves in the holiday club. They spend time in their dedicated groups suitable for their age, allowing them all to join in a wide variety of activities that are suitable for their ability and stage of development. The friendly staff ensure all children have the opportunity to join in sport, craft and science activities in addition to children's self-chosen games and activities. For example, children watch with delight when they mix ingredients to make their own mini lava lamps.

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This provision meets requirements

Children quickly make friends with their peers who attend different early years settings and schools. The harmonious atmosphere is supported by the positive role models of the friendly staff. Children welcome others to join their self-chosen games. They ask to play with coloured dough, sharing rolling pins and cutters between them. When the time comes, children help to tidy away the resources in preparation for a new activity. Young children have time to relax. They gather together to listen to stories, joining in the repetition within books, helping to maintain their engagement and enjoyment.

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need to do better?

n The provider is dedicated to help ensure children have access to a wide variety of interesting and fun activities whenever they attend the holiday club. Not only can children join in their chosen and pre-booked activities, they also have a choice to select their own resources and activities that interest and excite them. As a result, children remain occupied throughout the day. n Staff receive a robust induction and continued support in their roles. Training, team meetings and discussions help staff keep up-to-date with any changes in policies, safeguarding procedures and ideas for activities before each holiday club begins. Daily updates help staff prepare activities for the numbers of children expected to attend each session. Plans help to ensure an appropriate number of staff are effectively deployed to help keep children safe and supported throughout the day. n Children settle quickly in the club. At the beginning of each session, children are

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need to do better?

reminded of the clear and simple rules. New children are introduced to the other group members and staff, helping them feel welcome. The rules in place help children stay safe and provide consistent boundaries. Children respond well to these. They feel proud when they receive stickers for good behaviour and for trying hard. This contributes to the good behaviour and positive attitudes towards others that children demonstrate. n Staff respond well to children's emotional wellbeing. Young children who have just started in the club and those who are less confident are able to spend time

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need to do better?

22 February 2024 with their siblings and friends from other groups. Staff ensure children from the early years are well-supported when they spend time with their older siblings in groups of older children. They check that the activities within that group are safe and suitable for younger visitors to join in. This helps new children feel secure. n Staff interact well with children. They listen to the questions and requests children have and respond in a positive and attentive way. Children are proud to show staff their art and craft creations before they put them in a safe place so that they can take them home at the end of the day. n The owner and senior staff carefully plan activities. Assessments for risks are clearly communicated to staff to help ensure they are fully aware of any hazards they must minimise throughout the day. This helps to ensure children are kept safe during their time in the club.

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need to do better?

n Children feel valued. They request activities and games for future days or the next holiday period that they would like to join in. This contributes to the plans staff make. Children feel proud when they are chosen to explain the rules of a game to their peers. For example, before playing a running game, children explain how the participants become stuck or are released from imaginary mud. This helps build children's self-esteem and confidence while introducing new experiences to others.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2648310 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10301066 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 86 Number of children on roll 603 Name of registered person Bright Star Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01582 369000 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Fun Fest Dunstable was registered in 2021. It operates from 8am to 6pm during school holidays. There are 21 members of staff employed to work across two clubs owned by the provider.

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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 owner and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provision. n The owner took the inspector on a tour of the club. She described the routines and activities that are provided and how these impact children's wellbeing, engagement and care. n The inspector and owner watched an activity and discussed the quality of the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector held a meeting with the owner. They talked about the recruitment and ongoing supervision and training given to staff. n A small number of parents spoke to the inspector. She also read letters sent in by parents. The inspector took the views of parents into consideration in her evaluation of the provision.

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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

22 February 2024 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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