Elizabeth House

Inspection of Elizabeth House Highbury Vale Blackstock Trust, Elizabeth House, 2 Hurlock Street, LONDON N5 1ED

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This provision does not meet requirements

Weaknesses in the leadership and management of the club means that effective steps have not been taken to keep staff safeguarding knowledge up to date. Some staff are unsure of what to do if they are concerned about another staff member's behaviour towards children. In addition, records used to monitor children's attendance are not completed accurately. To add to this, leaders do not ensure that all staff follow the setting's mobile phone policy. These weaknesses compromise children's safety and well-being.

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This provision does not meet requirements

Despite these weaknesses in practice, children arrive happy and are excited to see their friends. Children are confident and engage in conversations with staff, visitors, and their friends. Staff set clear expectations that the children understand and are able to meet. For example, the children are encouraged to help set up resources and tidy up after routine tasks. Additionally, staff make sure that the children fully understand and follow safety instructions when using utensils in the kitchen to make pizza. Staff are respectful, kind, and caring towards the children. This supports children's emotional well-being effectively. Staff encourage children to use various arts and craft resources, such as paper plates, paint and pipe cleaners to create their art work. Children are able to focus for extended periods on their chosen activities and follow staff instructions very well.

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need to do better?

n Leaders provide safeguarding training for staff. However, they do not ensure that all staff fully understand or follow the setting's safeguarding policies and procedures. For example, key members of staff are not fully aware of what to do if they have any concerns about the behaviour of a colleague. In addition, staff do not follow the setting's policy for mobile phones to ensure that their phones are stored in a place that helps to keep children safe. Children's welfare is not adequately promoted. n Leaders and staff do not ensure children's hours of attendance are recorded correctly. This leads to leaders and staff not knowing how many children are present at the setting. Children's safety, such as in the event of a fire evacuation or other emergency, cannot be assured. n Staff consider the varied age range of the children attending and adapt activities to be inclusive for all. For instance, the younger children have access to toys and

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need to do better?

resources in a separate, dedicated area of the hall, where they can relax and enjoy themselves. Children are independent and enthusiastically lead their play, such as caring for dolls and soft toys and playing board games with staff. Children play happily together, taking turns and listening to each other's ideas. They understand the routines of the club and behave well.

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need to do better?

5 July 2024 n Staff help children to learn how to keep themselves and others safe. For instance, before children walk back to the club from school, they follow staff instructions and put on a high-visibility vest to ensure they can be clearly seen. Additionally, staff make sure that children learn about road safety and encourage them to hold hands with their friend or a staff member. n Staff teach children the importance of being mindful of where they play to avoid hurting others and themselves. For instance, when children play games with balls, they use a soft ball indoors and keep to the rules of playing in a designated sectioned-off area of the hall. This approach effectively supports the children's emotional and physical health. n Leaders and staff understand the importance of working in partnership with teachers, schools that the children attend and parents. They successfully find out about children's individual needs to help meet them.

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need to do better?

n Staff interact positively with children and are sensitive to their needs. This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. For example, they provide one-to-one support for children and read stories that support their interest in books. They encourage children to be active in their games and provide a designated space for them to sit and move around comfortably. n Leaders provide staff supervision. However, they have not thoroughly assessed the provision or staff practices to ensure consistent compliance with requirements. The current supervision arrangements have not been fully effective in providing targeted support to help develop practices and identify any gaps in staff's understanding of safeguarding. This said, leaders have a positive attitude and a willingness to improve all areas identified in the inspection.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

ensure all staff follow the setting's safeguarding policies and procedures, particulary those relating to whistle- blowing and mobile phone use 15/07/2024

p.3

Due date

maintain an accurate daily record of children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance 15/07/2024

p.3

Due date

5 July 2024 implement effective supervision arrangements to identify weaknesses and provide staff with relevant support and training to improve their practice. 05/08/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489588 Local authority Islington Inspection number 10347060 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 40 Number of children on roll 100 Name of registered person Highbury Vale Blackstock Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 02076901300 Date of previous inspection 3 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Elizabeth House registered in 2015. The club operates for five days a week, from 3.30pm to 6pm during term time and from 9am to 6pm in the school holidays, apart from Christmas holidays. The provider employs seven members of staff, five of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 or above.

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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 provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the club. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

5 July 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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Inspection activities

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