South Hill After School Club

Inspection of South Hill After School Club South Hill Primary School, Heath Lane, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1TT

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This provision meets requirements

Staff create an exciting and welcoming environment for all children. On arrival, staff greet children as they enter the club, checking in with them to make sure they are ok. Children talk confidently to staff about their day and what they would like to do at the club. Staff take time to listen to children and enjoy conversations with them, showing an interest in what the children are saying. This helps to develop good relationships between staff and children.

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This provision meets requirements

Children have a good understanding of their responsibilities. They know to put their coats and bags in a specific space before joining an activity. Staff join children where they are playing and support them as they learn how to play with new puzzles. Children proudly show the staff what they create and receive a wealth of praise. This builds children's self-esteem.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff use the same behaviour strategies as the school, which children are familiar with, and it provides consistency. As a result, children demonstrate good behaviour. In the garden, children have a large space to play in and they enjoy the freedom of this. Children politely ask staff if they can access other areas and staff deploy themselves effectively to allow this to happen safely.

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need to do better?

n The provider gathers a wealth of information about the children when they first start at the club, including children's like and dislikes and this supports children well when settling in. A strong key-person system is well supported by a child buddy system between the oldest and youngest children. This aids the strong settling-in programme. As a result of this practice, children build strong relationships with both staff and other children. n Children have a wide range of opportunities to develop their physical skills. Inside, children build with a range of different resources, both large and small, that support their fine motor development. Outdoors, children climb on the play equipment. They enjoy taking risks as they climb higher and work out how to climb down. The large outside space is on a variety of levels and children learn how to move about confidently. n Children build on their imaginative skills as they access a wide range of

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need to do better?

activities. For example, they use the magnetic building blocks to create a variety of vehicles and enjoy working together to achieve this with their friends. In the garden, children play different games together, developing their creativity. They discuss the rules for the games, taking on a variety of roles. While using chalks in the garden, children talk about what they have drawn and explore mixing colours together.

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need to do better?

6 March 2025 n Staff plan activities based on children's interests and those activities which children enjoy. For example, staff use children's interest in being creative to plan a giraffe-making activity. Staff take time to talk children through the plan for the activity and children listen intently. Children are free to create their giraffes how they want and they spend long periods of time at the activity. Once complete, children are proud of their creations and are eager to take them home. n Staff use mealtimes to build on children's communication and language development. Staff talk to children about a wide range of topics and help them to develop the art of conversation. All children benefit from this, regardless of age, and join in confidently with discussions. n Children describe the staff as kind and fun. They enjoy talking about the different activities they take part in, favourites include the writing table and the

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need to do better?

different building blocks available. Parents comment on the positive atmosphere at the club and the consistency in the staff team. Children come out of the club happy, and parents know how important this is for their child to feel secure. n Staff are well supported by the provider and have access to a wide range of training opportunities. The provider has regular meetings with the staff team and staff well-being is important and always discussed.

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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 EY496731 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10375731 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 90 Name of registered person Claire's Club Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0782 8770197 Date of previous inspection 1 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

South Hill After School Club registered in 2016 and is situated within the grounds of South Hill Primary School in Hemel Hempstead. The club employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate qualification at level 3. The club operates a breakfast club from 7.30am until 8.40am, and an after-school club from 3.15pm until 5pm, during school term times. The club operates a holiday playscheme from 8am until 5pm at different points in the school holidays.

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Inspection activities

n The leadership team and inspector completed a learning walk across the club to understand how early years children are supported. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The provider and inspector carried out a joint observation within the main room. n The providers, leadership team, staff and children engaged in discussions with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working at the club. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussions with them.

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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

6 March 2025 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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